Storyboards

What are Storyboards and where were they originally used

Storyboards are graphic organizers such as a series of illustrations or images displayed in sequence for the purpose of previsualizing a motion graphic or interactive media sequence, including website interactivity. The storyboarding process can be very tedious and intricate. The form widely known today was developed at the Walt Disney studio during the early 1930s.

Here are a few examples of storyboards...

Its Usage

A film storyboard is essentially a large comic of the film or some section of the film produced beforehand to help film directors, cinematographers and television commercial advertising clients visualize the scenes and find potential problems before they occur. Often storyboards include arrows or instructions that indicate movement.
In creating a motion picture with any degree of fidelity to a script, a storyboard provides a visual layout of events as they are to be seen through the camera lens. And in the case of interactive media, it is the layout and sequence in which the user or viewer sees the content or information. In the storyboarding process, most technical details involved in crafting a film or interactive media project can be efficiently described either in picture, or in additional text.
Alfred Hitchcock's films were strongly believed to have been extensively storyboarded to the finest detail by the majority of commentators over the years, although recent research indicates that this was exaggerated for publicity purposes. Other directors storyboard only certain scenes, or none at all. Animation directors are usually required to storyboard extensively, sometimes in place of doing a script.

Advantages

One advantage of using storyboards is that it allows the user to experiment with changes in the storyline to evoke stronger reaction or interest. Flashbacks, for instance, are often the result of sorting storyboards out of chronological order to help build suspense and interest.
The process of visual thinking and planning allows a group of people to brainstorm together, placing their ideas on storyboards and then arranging the storyboards on the wall. Furthermore Storyboards for films are created in a multiple step process. They can be created by hand drawing or digitally on the computer.

How to create a storyboard

If drawing by hand, the first step is to create or download a storyboard template. These look much like a blank comic strip, with space for comments and dialogue. Then sketch a "thumbnail" storyboard. Some directors sketch thumbnails directly in the script margins. These storyboards get their name because they are rough sketches not bigger than a thumbnail. For some motion pictures, thumbnail storyboards are sufficient.
However, some filmmakers rely heavily on the storyboarding process. If a director or producer wishes, more detailed and elaborate storyboard images are created. These can be created by professional storyboard artists by hand on paper or digitally by using 2D storyboarding programs. Some software applications even supply a stable of storyboard-specific images making it possible to quickly create shots which express the director's intent for the story. These boards tend to contain more detailed information than thumbnail storyboards and convey more of the mood for the scene. These are then presented to the project's cinematographer who achieves the director's vision.
Finally, if needed, 3D storyboards are created (Technical Previsualization). The advantage of 3D storyboards is they show exactly what the film camera will see using the lenses the film camera will use. The disadvantage of 3D is the amount of time it takes to build and construct the shots. 3D storyboards can be constructed using 3D animation programs or digital puppets within 3D programs. Some programs have a collection of low resolution 3D figures which can aid in the process. Some 3D applications allow cinematographers to create "technical" storyboards which are optically-correct shots and frames.

Lighting

Backing in the early days of cinematography, lighting was always a natural source used when filming. Studio roofs would be opened in order to allow sunlight in and give a good effect for the scene. As time moved on, and technology as well as film developed and the production of films widened, the need of appropriate artificial technology was needed. the use of artificial lighting became more common and this helped the film industry develop worldwide. From the start, lighting was a key part of film making and played a substantial part in the narrative.
Some genres often stick to natural and standard lighting in order to give a more neutral realistic feel. Others however, use lighting as a means of creating much greater experimental effect. Some genres such as sci-fi and horror use lighting in a much more different and unique way, where possible and this gives a more adventurous feel.

Some different key lighting often used in filming:

Three point lighting – this is standard mainstream lighting often used in films and also on the TV. This is where three different lights are used: key, fill and back. The intensity of these lights can be altered in order to create different effects.

High key lighting/soft lighting – this is where the key light is brighter than the fill light and this makes the object appear brighter and softer.

Low key lighting/hard lighting – here the fill light is brighter and stronger than the key light; this results in dark shadows on the object.

Back lighting - This technique is very often used in thriller and horror films in order to show the more dominant characters or slayers and killers. The subject is only lit from the back and this creates a silhouette effect. The features of the person are not visible and this is an important style of lighting we will be using in our opening sequence to show the slayer.

Side lighting – this highlights the subject from only one side showing the subject distorted and imbalanced.

Frontal lighting – this shows the image as being very flat.

Ambient lighting is a term used in order to describe the use of light in a certain way to create a definite mood or emotion. This lighting is only used very subtly but still enough to create and effective outcome.

In order to achieve good results in filming, you need to use different sources of light and firstly get acquainted with the way they work. There is now a greater range of lighting that can be used when filming and this giving a greater range of effects. By changing the intensity, position and number of these lights, different motions of lighting can be obtained. There are different tips and techniques that can be used when using lighting, but the basic need is to become familiar with what is known as three-point lighting; this consists of the key light, fill light, and back light. Once you are familiar with this technique it will allow you to be able to distinguish the difference between 'good' and 'bad' lighting.

Camera Angles

Camera angles can be seen as vaguely different things to different people but overall refer to the way a shot is composed. The camera angle is mainly seen as the angle of which the camera is relative to the subject/character. The link between both camera and object being photographed is what gives the audience emotional information about the character and also helps in the way the character or object is portrayed in the shot. The more natural and straight angled the shot, the more realistic and natural the scene, but the more extreme the angle, the more symbolic and intense the information.

Here are different examples of a few widely used examples…

Birds eye view – this shows the scene from an overhead shot, almost as if a bird was viewing the scene from above. It is a very unnatural and strange angle and objects viewed from this angle are not always recognisable at first until concentrated on. At times this may be to show that the audience has greater power over the object/characters and to make characters look insignificant

High angle – these often show the object as being vulnerable and weak however are not as extreme as a birds eye view. The scene is shot from a higher level from the object possibly showing them as smaller and less significant.

Low angle – these shots tend to give the object connotations of power and dominance. Low angles tend to give a sense of confusion to the audience and show the object as being dominant than the audience. These increase the height and weight of the object in the shot. The background of a low angle shot often shows the surrounding of the character for example the ceiling of a building or the sky.

Oblique/canted angle – these make the object or person being shot seem obscure. This is where the camera is tilted to suggest imbalance, transition and instability.

Eye level – this is a neutral shot where the camera is positioned at the same level of the object or character. It is often positioned as though a human is watching the scene itself.

• Camera angles are a major tool that can help shape the look and feel of the film. As mentioned before the camera angle marks the specific location at which the camera is placed to take a shot. where the camera is placed in relation to the object effects the way in which the audience perceive the object. A low angle shot would show the object as dominant and powerful and a high angle shot would show the object as weak and vulnerable. Just like this, a natural eye-level shot would have no effect on the audience as it is as if the viewer is present there.

Representations

Representation refers to the construction in any medium (especially the mass media) of aspects of ‘reality’ such as people, places, objects, events, cultural identities and other abstract concepts.Representation always involves 'the construction of reality'.
In our sequence we are going to make sure our clip is realistic as possible.
We are going to use stereotypical characters, one of which is a villain, and the other a victim. We are using these stereotypes because it is effective and it brings out the horror in our film as each horror film does include a villain. In this case the villain is a man, and the victim a teeange girl.
Gender also plays a big role Male are stereotypically known as being:

• Strong
• Rough
• Workaholic
• Rugged hunters
• Tough
• Aggressive
• In control
• Powerful

And a stereotypical woman would be conveyd as:

• Delicate
• Beautiful
• Housewife
• Blonde
• Loving
• Caring
• Innocent
• Multi-tasking

The villain in our film will be represented as dominant, and stereotypicaly all of what a villain should be. He would be dressed In black so this would convey darkness and evil within the character. However the girl in our sequence will be represented as a timid naive girl who needs protecting, she will be wearing dark and ripped clothes, this will represent the girl is danger. 

Representations in general is an important aspect in our sequence as well as in any other movie, it makes up the whole of a movie and gives the audience an image of what a certain character could turn put to be like.  

Analysis of an opening sequence

Saw V
What is the movie about?

In Saw V, Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) is seemingly the last person alive to carry on the Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) legacy. But when his secret is threatened, Hoffman must go on the hunt to eliminate all loose ends. In the Horror Sequel, people escape one trap just to get caught in another.

As part of our project i analysed the clip below from the time 0:51 seconds:

The scene begins with a threateningly dark lit scene. It shows a close up shot of the characters panic stricken face that is immediately noticed by the audience as the victim in the sequence. Non diagetic sounds are used in the process to create dynamic effect. A close up shot of the characters face is taken from a birds eye view to show the fear and vulnerability on the victims face. At the beginning, the character is forcing himself to take a metal chain of his neck; this is because he rapidly wakes up and sees himself chained to a table. The room is all dark and mysterious. Suddenly a spotlight is then shone of the victim’s body, the camera is slowly moving towards the right so you can only see the back of the victim’s head which is then followed by another close up of the chains that are tied on the characters ankles.

Dark mysterious lighting is used to create enigma and suspense for the audience of why the man is lying down chained to table. The atmosphere is very tense and frightening. The camera slowly then suddenly rises up and in the process does a 360 degree fast pace long shot. The camera distances itself away from the character using an extreme long shot so that now the audience can see the whole room. A medium shot is now used to see the victim clearly, you can see the dread and fright on his face and the words “help” that the audience hear just signifies the fact that the victim is in serious danger. When a medium shot is used, you can see tattoos on the characters body; this shows that the character is stereotypically imaged as a slightly rough person. The camera slowly moves around the back showing the characters head again, but this time the sound of the television flickering automatically makes us think that it’s going to switch on itself. A close up shot is then used towards the television and a person has covered their face using a distinctively ugly yet scary looking mask,  the audience instantly recognises this person as the villain of the whole movie. Instantly we know that this person plays a major role in the sequence. Cuts are used back and forth to show the victims face and the use of non diagetic sounds in between are building up the anxiety and fear for the audience. In the process of this happening, we can closely see the villain on the T.V screen and the slight use of slow heartbeats pumping quietly in the background makes us pay attention to what the villain is saying.

The victim on the table had paid for his crime in the eyes of the law by staying behind bars for five years, but he still  has not yet paid for his crime that he committed in the eyes of the villain. This partly answers the questions that run in the audiences mind about the victim. We then see a close up shot of a cutting tool that is going to be released above him sliding side to side. This creates terrifying feelings and thoughts towards the victim. The camera cuts and then shows us the chains linked to the cutting tool above when it is going to be released; this gives us an impact towards the character and creates images and confusion about what might happen next. Is the victim going to die or survive? The victim then has to place his hands in to the boxes; which on the other hand contain blades that are going to crush his hands to dust. We then see a close up shot of the victim from a birds eye view, he is screaming. This adds to the dramatic impact and the depth of the opening scene. The timing the villain has given for the victim is 60 seconds. This means in 60 seconds the victim has to get his hands crushed by placing them in the boxes on each side of him. All builds up a lot of tension for the audience and a lot of fear. Here it just shows how vulnerable the victim is and the inescapable position he is in. When the blade is released sliding side to side lowering itself each time, adrenaline kicks in instantly for the audience creating excitement yet alongside this its also creating shock and terror and sympathy towards the victim.

As the character struggles close up shots are used to show the characters face and shots are used to show the blade lowering slowly and slowly. Here we can hear the victim screaming for help and is longing for someone to save his life, yet as the audience we know that is very unlikely. An extreme close up shot is used to show the hands of the victim and we also see the chains turning to crush the victim’s hands. As we hear the victim scream for his life this is creating dramatic dynamic effect to the whole opening sequence. Bird’s eye shots are used again to show the intensity on the characters face. The slide if the blade swinging just above the victim is causing dramatic fear and apprehension. The sound of the victims hands being crushed are gruesome and very intense and frightening, cuts are used to show the blade and once again going back and forth to show the intensity on the characters face this is also shown by using close ups.

As well as this, cuts are again shown to see the hands being crushed, for the audience this is definitely shocking and it immediately creates a feeling of pity. All these enigmas are used to create suspension and confusion for the audience. The hands get crushed and the sound of blood splattering causes sickness for the audience and suddenly extreme close up shots are used to see the chains turning and this time we can see the blade from extreme close up. Enigmas are created to make the heart beat fast for the audience. When the blade is lowering down the finial time it then slices the victims stomach open and causes such an intense and terrifying feeling close up shots are used to see the blood splurging out of the victims body and to also see the victims face with blood all over it. Shots are used to see the side of the characters face, this increases the emotions are feelings and the audience can then clearly imagine and see what the victim is going through.
All of a sudden an extreme close up shot is used to show someone looking through a hole the victim turns his head to then see the eye in the hole looking towards him and as the audience we instantly know that “the eye” could be the villain looking through that hole and the sound of the final slice on the victims body finishes the whole opening chapter of the movie finalising it with the confusion of who could be looking through that hole in the door or wall and question of why he killed that man so brutally.

Character clothing/costumes

Clothing can tell all about you, it is a way to express your style and your sense of fashion. Alot of people judge one another by the way they dress. This is simailar to the way an audience judges a certain character(s) in a movie deciding upon what they are dressed like. A certain character can reveal what their personality is like simply by the way they dress for example, they can reveal their identity and this also allows them to express themselves and mood with out saying anything such as, their intrests, their style of fashion and also the character they are playing, whether they are a villain or a victim or simply a psycho.The way a character looks on the exterior largely impacts the audiences view on the characters interior. Costumes are very important because you subconsciously choose the look that reflects and completes a certain charatcers personality. Because our sequence is a horror psychological thriller the costumes that our characters will be wearing are goin to be dark colours..
Certain colours represent certain tones and personalities, dark grey colours would typicaly represent:

• Shadowy
• Gloomy
• Mysterious
• Evil
• Murder

One of the characters in our sequence will have all these kind of representaions because of the clothing that it will be wearing.This shows that it will be a villain and not a victim. Our objective is to make the audience feel frightened and mysterious and wonder what may happen next.

Different colours represent different things and they give out different kinds of meanings. Colours such as: pink, yellow, blue, green, white etc. These type of colours represent:

• Femininity
• Love
• Appreciation
• Happiness
• Health
• Gratitude
• Purtiy
• Innocence
• Gratitude
• Friendship (etc)
  

Costumes and clothing are very important, they make up the whole movie and show a whole new complete identity of a character.

Analysis of an Opening Sequence

The Ring

What the movie is about?

Two teenage girls Katie Embry and Rebecca Kotler discuss the supposedly cursed tape. Katie reveals that, seven days before, she went to a cabin at Shelter Mountain Inn with friends, where she viewed the video tape. After a series of strange occurrences, involving a television in the house turning itself on, Katie is mysteriously killed while Becca watches, causing her to be institutionalized in a mental hospital.

Katie's aunt, Rachel is a journalist living in Seattle who decides to go undercover on the mysterious death of her niece and her three friends, who seemed to all died on the same day at the same time- 10:00 PM. After being told that her niece was found in a closet with a horrifying look on her face, she searches through her room and finds some pictures, pictures of the cabin where her niece and her friends had stayed a week before the deaths. Rachel finds the mysterious video tape which is killing off anyone who watches it. Whenever the victim watches it, the phone rings, telling them they have only one week to live.

Rachel is investigating these events, but after she and her small son watch the tape, it becomes a race against time to find out why the tape is killing everyone and how it could be stopped. She and her divorced husband, Noah, research about the video and find facts about Anna Morgan and her daughter, Samara Morgan, the maker of this video. With only a week left, Rachel and Noah discover the unknown secrets of the life of Samara Morgan, and, hopefully for them, a way to break the curse.

As part of our project I analysed the opening sequence of The Ring

Analysis of The Ring

The Sequence begins in the kitchen were Katie goes to get a glass of juice as she takes a sip of the juice she hears the television switch on she begins to get scared as there is no one in the room wondering how the television had switched on itself. She then turns her head slowly towards the room looking very afraid and nervous. Here we find an extreme close up of her face emphasising her features. She makes her way to the main room where the television is, at a slow pace making sure she couldn’t be heard. We the see a mid shot of the room focusing mainly on the television the blurry and static effect of the television makes it almost unbearable to hear. And makes the audience apprehensive. She then looks around the room to see if there is anyone around she then switches off the television and makes her way back to the door. At this point we get a tilted angle of her looking back at the television. As the camera zooms in towards her it makes the audience realize that the television has come on itself again. She calls out to her friend wondering if she was the one playing a prank on her. As she runs towards the Television we see a close shot of her and the TV this also emphasises the story of the movie, the whole concept of samara coming out of the TV. We see how afraid she is and as she begins too breathe heavily this shows how scared she is. Throughout this opening sequence we see high and low angles we also see a lot of close up shots which add effect, the tilted angles show confusion of what is happening in the scene etc.

She hears more noises in the kitchen as she makes her way to the kitchen she see s that the door for the fridge is opening by itself making her even more scared. Now there is a high angle from the staircase showing authority, she runs up the stairs only to find water coming from beneath the bedroom door, with curiosity she walks towards the door. We see another close shot of the door knob and her approaching it she begins to turn the knob but at a slow pace in order to set an intense atmosphere. She enters the room only to find the cursed tape being played. Finally it ends with a zoomed out shot of the TV and a fast zoomed in shot of Katie. Her Face is shocked as she see’s something unusual; her face turns to a strange pale colour. At the end we see images of the tape and disgusting evidence such as cut up fingers and an image of the well.

Throughout this sequence Katie is dressed in a white blouse and a grey skirt which proves that it is her school uniform. The location of the opening sequence is at a guest house which seems to be in great condition. The lighting throughout the sequence is dark and dull which is used to create suspense. The music in the openign sequence is both diagetic and non-diagetic the music creates a dramatic effect so that the audience are engrossed.