STORYBOARDING YOUR SCI-FI FILM

OPENING SEQUENCE

Part 3 of your mock exam is to create a 10 frame storyboard for the opening sequence of your Sci-Fi film.

It must hook the audience from the start and present the codes and conventions of the genre.

WHY ARE STORYBOARDS USED? It’s the best way to share your vision!

Makes production MUCH easier - a guide to follow.

It will save you (the production team) a lot of time and money when making your film/show/video etc...

WHAT DO THEY HELP PREVENT?Wasting time and footage! - In the industry, production teams are given limited time on a tight budget so working to a plan helps keep everything on target.

WHO USES A STORYBOARD?The Director, Cinematographer, Director of Photography.

TIPS FOR GAINING FULL MARKS FOR YOUR STORYBOARD

You MUST fill in ALL of the information required for every box otherwise you will not gain full marks.

Use media terminology where appropriate.

Remember to think about the codes and conventions of the SCI-FI genre. These need to be obvious in your 10 frame storyboard.

ADD COLOUR! This demonstrates creativity and may boost your marks.

Use a variety of shots.

Don’t forget about mise-en scene! (You could talk about the lighting that will be used in the scene too.)

SHOT NO.

Simply just include the number of the shot. Must be in chronological order.

(You will only be doing 1-10 in your exam)

EDIT How one shot goes

to another - will you use a straight cut/fade/dissolve/wipe?

Will there be any SFX in this shot?

MAIN IMAGE

A creative, detailed image. Can be stick men.

If using panning or tracking then use arrows to show the direction.

DIALOGUE-SOUND-CAM MOVEMENT

Describe the diegetic/non - diegetic sound that will be used.

What is going on in the shot? Describe camera movement and

any important mise-en scene (e.g. lighting)

TIMING

How long your shot will last.

If you’re not sure then just give an estimate.

TYPE OF SHOT Can be abbreviated - e.g.

you can use CU for close-up.

Make sure it is the same shot that you see in the main image!

How to storyboard & Camera angles

Watch this short video to recap the best way to storyboard:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVXMQMUDlTs

You must use a variety of camera angles in your opening sequence.

Some of the camera angles you could use are...• Establishing/wide shot (You MUST use this in your storyboard - generally one of the

first frames)• Long shot• Close-up• Tracking shot• Panning shot• High/low angle• Point of view shot• Extreme close-up• Medium shot

MAKE SURE YOU KNOW

ALL OF THESE FOR THE EXAM!!!

TASK• Draft a storyboard for the opening sequence of

your film.

• Must be 10 frames long.

• Use a variety of camera angles.

• Fill in EVERY box of the storyboard - ‘Shot’, ‘Edit’, ‘Timing’, ‘Type of shot’ etc...

• Make sure that it establishes the genre and any significant characters.

• Make your storyboard GRIP the audience. This is how the audience will decide whether to keep watching your film or turn it off! Including action is a good way grip.