STORYBOARDS Prof Oakes

Reasons for Storyboards… To communication visually the ideas of the director To initiate discussion between the director and the cast/crew To create a budget for a film (especially effects/animation) To give specific info concerning effects, animation, stunts, fights, animals, etc. To generate excitement about the film To reveal continuity issues before shooting starts

Steven Spielberg (Poltergeist)

Poltergeist (storyboards)

Continuity System Continuous flow of images from shot to shot, sequence to sequence Continuity is used maintain a sense of space, time, and movement Interruption of continuity creates “jump-cuts” or an ambiguous sense of space/time

Line of Action 180 degree rule (Line of Action) Imagine an invisible line (string) between the two main characters in a scene Camera does not cross the line unless you show it crossing the line The line moves with the characters

Film Production “Guidelines” 1. Maintain space continuity – 180 degree rule – Difference rule (30 degrees) 2. Maintain Screen Direction – Keep characters “on their side” of the screen 3. Maintain consistent screen movement – L to R or R to L – Camera leads the action

Classic Hollywood Continuity Camera moves closer and shots grow shorter as emotional intensity builds – Establishing Long Shot – Medium shot of characters – Shot/Reverse-Shot during dialogue – Occasional Insert (Cutaway) Dramatic climax is filmed in a close-up on the actor’s face This method is not as prevalent as it was

Fight Club

Screen Direction Maintain Spatial Continuity/180 degree rule (unless you show the character crossing the line) Keep characters on their side of the screen Keep direction consistent

Rule of thirds

Rule of Thirds (review) Divide the frame into thirds vertically and horizontally Do not place every character in every shot in the dead center of the frame Compose the space (framing) purposefully Usually the eyes will fall on or near the top horizontal line Much of the action (point of attention) falls on the intersections of the lines This is a guideline and not a law

Rule of Thirds

Other reminders Maintain head-room for the characters Maintain nose-room for the characters Maintain lead-room for moving characters

Inception Fight Scene vDba2nMv_U

Storyboard Samples Robots Blue Sky Studios Director: Chris Wedge Animator: Mika Ripatti Storyboards: William Frake