Getting Started: Analyzing The Storyboard

(This post does not cover the creation of a storyboard.)

It all starts with an idea. Then it turns into a dream. Finally, it becomes a story. Often, a film script is accompanied by a storyboard to illustrate each scene. In fact, it should be. Directors like Hitchcock in fact rely so much on their storyboard, they consider it the actual creation of the movie, as opposed to the shooting on film.

An Image Says It All

Words alone can lead to misunderstandings. An example:

“The red sports car pulls around the corner.”

Unless you have a very talented and cocky script writer, you will most likely not get exact indications of how we see this red sports car drive around the corner. Do we follow it from before the turn? Do we pull back and up once it’s around the corner? Do we see the entire street crossing or is the camera attached to the car and focused on the flank?

Depending on your answers to the above questions, you may need to block 500 m2 of city streets or get a camera car or a dolly or a crane or all of them together. Any of these items can cost you up to several thousands of dollars. And all of them are replaceable with a simple tripod if need be.

A storyboard will force the director and director of photography to think about these details before you start hiring people and equipment. A last minute change is always possible but comes with a lot of stress and often requires paying penalty fees.

Look At It Carefully

Once you’ve received the storyboard, sit down with some time on your hand and look at every image. Make a detailed list of

• the props (objects) you see and/or need
• the kind of shot that has been drawn (wide, close-up, high, low, macro, etc.)
• the material you will need for that shot (you may need the help of your Director of Photography for that)
• the environment of the shot (on location or in studio?)
• the people in the shot
• their wardrobe and accessories.

Analyze your list: Can you get the material ready-made or do you need construction? Are you shooting on location? What kind of permits will you need? Who has the camera material you need? Can the actors use their own wardrobe or do you need to buy/lend it from somewhere?

Your main result after analyzing the storyboard should be a material and equipment list, an estimate of costs and a detailed planning.

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