Actual Idea (3) - Storyboard

For my storyboards, I also decided to do some research into it. I knew how to set out a storyboard from GCSE Media but I wanted to be sure that it was properly designed and had everything that was needed.

Key Points :
- lays out narrative of the whole film in visual form
- visually tests out transitions between scenes
- shows production team how many must-have shots you need so that a schedule can be planned. Also allows the designers to determine how long they will need to secure a location for.
- whether shots deviate from the script
- visual for actors to work off
- demonstrates how many shots and the variety of shots used
- 'test' locations

Storyboards are a key part to the Location Scout's job. They use the storyboards to find locations suitable enough that will fit well with the concept.
Location Scout and what they look for :
- concept and aesthetic requirements - does the location fit the ideology that the film is trying to communicate?
- ambient sound (traffic, birds etc...) - will this fit well with the concept or interrupt the filming?
- light conditions - too bright or too dark will influence whether extra screens or lights will be needed.
- coverage / cinematography - does the mise-en-scene fit well with the concept? and is there cover from the weather elements?
- site locations compared to other locations - if there is a better or more suitable location then comparisons need to be made to get the best space.
- parking / facilities nearby - food and toilet facilities are important, if there aren't any availible then arrangements need to be made. Is there enough parking for all the crew and trucks?
- cost - an important part, film budgets can vary and especially for a low budget film, it's critical to save any money possible.
- availibility of power - power is needed for cameras / lights and anything electrical so there needs to be access to power or arrangements need to be made for generators.
- exterior location, weather / lighting - will the weather / lighting interupt the filming or add to the mise-en-scene?
- permission - is it needed? if so it needs to be granted in advance.
VERY TIME CONSUMING AND COMPLEX! which is why the storyboards and planning needs to be done in advance and in plenty of time so that if need be, a change of location can be drafted and adapted in to the plans.

I decided to draft out a blank storyboard and then copy it on to the computer. It looked like this:

Because I'm not a very good drawer, I decided on taking photos for my storyboards which not only made it quicker but also meant I could get more of a visual image from the test shots. This helped later with my filming. However, one issue was that the people portraying my characters weren't always availible so I had to use stand-ins for them. I was also going to upload all of the storyboards seperately, but it made it easier to just put them all together as one file. I did have a problem with uploading them as after I'd scanned them, for some reason the computer didn't show them as jpeg. or image files, so I had to take photos of them with a camera and upload it that way!