Getting to Know Storyboards

Storyboards are used to roughly illustrate what a film will look like. It describes the film's layout, composition, and various actions preformed by the characters. In short, storyboards are good. Regardless of rather you hire someone to do your storyboarding or if you have to do it yourself, there are some little tips to keep in mind given by DreamWorks. First, avoid flat staging. Flat staging lacks a feeling of 3D space and depth. It feels uninteresting and not very engaging, so it should be avoided in most situations. Next, lay down a grid to help keep your character's feet on the ground. It helps to better understand where a character is in a scene. Third, use objects in the foreground and background to help sell the idea of depth and distances, but beware of objects parallel to the frame. When dealing with groups of people, put the multiple characters into groups to make cutting back and forth been them during a conversation easier. Another trick for helping with dialogue is over the shoulder shots. Over the shoulder shots help to deliver dialogue and provide for some interesting shots. Be sure not to break the 180 rule! Don't squeeze your characters into a tight space. Provide a bit of wiggle room so the frame doesn't feel so crowded. When dealing with a single character looking into the camera, don't have them looking directly into it. Have the character looking slightly off center to provide for a less awkward shot. Use more diverse character heights to establish or re-establish your shots. Different angles can give the audience a feeling of an imbalance of power or authority. Lastly, give your character motivation. This can be done by providing a reason that a character might be doing something, like a character turning because a noise or a character getting up to make food because their stomach is growling. Find their motivations and make them clear.

 I think that we did this article last year. I don't have a problem with this, I just felt like saying. Ahh, memories of Animation... I learned some useful tips for storyboarding. I agree that all of these elements are useful to keep in mind and I feel like I could have utilized some of these during my time in Digital Media 1. I actually don't have any questions. I think that all of this is self-explanatory. A good storyboard is always needed for a good film. Don't skimp out on these elements kiddos.