Storyboarding

Visual Outlining for the team of youStoryboarding

Why Storyboard

Basics of the storyboardThe storyboard is nothing more than a visual outline of what youre going to do or how youll piece together what youve done.Two basic kinds of storyboards:Front end storyboardsBack end storyboardsSome projects use both

Back End storyboardsWhat youd typically use in documentary or reportingIts foundation is what youve found and loggedBecomes the outline of how you want to tell a story, based on what youve foundCan be very general or very detailed

Front End storyboardAlways used in commercial environmentsDesigned to cheaply test out ideas on paper, rather than with a film crewIn commercial production it will usually dictate everything from the height of the camera to the exact angle of the shot for the director

Courtesy Greg High

How does it apply to you?Using a storyboard approach on the front end will help you create a tighter storyYoull still leave room for finding things, but youll be able to have an idea of where you want the story to go before you ever head outCreating a visual outline of the types of things you need beforehand allows you to create a shot list or a shot inventory, which then translates into a check off.

It can be fancy

Or not

Translating to a shot inventory

Storyboard resourcesStoryboardThat! (storyboardthat.com) Free version gets it done but limits flexibility Unlocked paid version: $4.95/monthStoryboardPro (atomiclearning.com/storyboardpro) Not a visual tool, but good for front end storyboards Free, but quirky and can sometimes chokeScapple (literatureandlatte.com/scapple.php) $14.95 Free form brainstorming software Allows dragging of images in No rules

Scrivener (literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php) $45.00 Screenwriting and longform outlining software Not so good with the images Allows you to keep detailed notes on each scene, clip, etc. Better for documentaries or longer pieces

Keynote (available in the App store) Has a storyboard templateMicrosoft PowerPoint (standard with Office suite) No storyboard template

Steps to starting a front end boardSubject: Overcrowding in Columbia Public Schools

Step 1: Develop broad categories about the story and its mechanics (think visually):

Potential opening shots/Potential closing shotsExperiences of students, experiences of teachersSolutions

The next step: BrainstormStep 2: Think visually about the kind of images and media that youre going to need to illustrate the story

Key question: What proves the point Im trying to make?For instance: Does a shot of students crammed into a classroom visually demonstrate crowded conditions in a classroom? Do shots of students walking into portable classroom trailers visually demonstrate the issue?Does an interview with a teacher who says There are so many kids I cant control my class prove your hypothesis?