Storyboard

When it came to producing a storyboard we first have to find out the most efficient ways for a production. Taking into consideration that our production is a music video we thought that it was best to do a sample storyboard to see how it would turn out in the end. The one we used as a sample was a 2-collumn storyboard. The 2-collumn refers to a storyboard where you initially have two columns, one of which displays the video whilst the other shows the audio. In addition to this there is a brief summary that acts as the overview for the music video so that when it comes to handing down the storyboard to someone like the actors or the camera man, they have a clear idea of what  the video is about before they actually film it. Its important that the summary is made clear because a camera operator would probably have lots of other footage for other movies to be filming. In the same case other cast members could be in a situation where the have to be working on different sites at different times. The reason why we use 2-column storyboards is because of the type of production we are doing. Since we are only producing a music video it not necessary to do an in-depth storyboard with sketches and annotations of every shot like you would normally do for a feature film. In addition to this since it is only a music video it will not require a long filming duration. As a result of this the directors will not need to leave the set during the film period and will be able to delegate instructions as he sees it. The way in which we benefit from this is that we only have to use detailed bullet points of what we want to see going on because we are going to be on set and will be able to inform the cast and the camera operators of what they need to be doing. Furthermore it is much less time consuming because of the amount of detailed required is considerably less as apposed to a storyboard for a feature film. In the case of a feature film the director may not always be available as they would be busy managing other priorities. Therefore the storyboard for that particular production would need to be extremely clear, precise with sketches and detailed annotation on the side so that the rest of the cast will be able to continue working to meet the producers vision.

During lesson time we had the opportunity to produce a sample 2-collumn storyboard in order to assess the likelihood of whether or not we would find it easier than the last storyboard we had to do. Our previous existing media footage was the opening 10 minutes of a TV Drama and as a result meant that the storyboard had to be clear and precise with sketches and detailed annotation as apposed to bullet points. However this time we are only producing a music video therefore we can afford to use a 2-collumn storyboard.  Below I have included an image of my sample 2-collumn storyboard. As you can see I have included a summary at the top of the page explaining what the video is actually about, although the feedback I received from fellow classmates indicates that it was short but in detail. Therefore when it comes down to the real planning stage of the storyboard I will need to ensure that the summary is in detail and explains everything that happens in the video. It will not be in the same depth as the pitch but detailed enough for the other cast members to know what they are dealing with. Moving on with the storyboard I was told that I had clear indication of the kind of shot angles I wanted and the lighting was clear. For example I said 'several close ups and extreme closeups of characters expressions whilst fighting in dark lighting". I also happened to say that I required facial expression however I never fully explained the types of expression I wanted the actors to have. This could have negative implications on the actually filming day because the actors would not know what kind of expression to make. Although I did note down on one of the shots that I wanted the protagonist to look frustrated and angry, it wasn't consistent for my other shots as I just noted down "closeup of eye contact and facial expression".

This is our 2 column storyboard that we devised as a group. Meg and Alex typed it up as we all pitched in ideas. The way in which we approached this task was to look at our pitch for what was going to happen. We then listened to the lyrics to find out the most appropriate point for where that particular shot should be included. For example on the opening sequence we are going to have multiple shots cutting between the boy and the girls that he is flirting with during different times. The opening sequence will be during the introduction of the song which lasts 4 seconds, therefore we would have multiple shots cutting for 4 seconds before the song starts.