a videofrog knowledge base guide storyboarding · why are storyboards so important? • it’s a...

STORYBOARDING

A videofrog knowledgebase guide

FOR CORPORATE VIDEO

Copyright © 2015 videofrog, Whitwam ltd

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Why are storyboards so important?

• It’s a way of quickly and effectively experimenting with a number of different ‘storylines’ or treatments so that the agency can evaluate the pros and cons of each approach. It’s a great way of driving the creative process so that you make your mistakes on paper – not during production!

• A finished storyboard proposal makes it easy for clients/budget holders (often not working in marketing or creative roles) to understand the idea or vision behind your proposal and to get a good idea of what the video will look like.

• Equally important it will enable them to assess whether the storyboard meets the criteria specified in the creative, production or distribution briefs.

• As far as budgets are concerned, the storyboard will include information on locations, people, animation and graphics so that you can get a rough idea of how long it will take to produce and how much each element is likely to cost.

• It then acts as a focal point for everyone involved in the creation and production of the video. A shot list helps the entire production team understand and plan how the video should look and sound – and, of course, it will stimulate discussion and fine tuning before filming gets underway.

• In post-production, it also serves as a useful reminder to the editor so that video can be pieced together according to your vision.

A storyboard is a creative proposal that graphically represents the proposed sequence of shots in a video from beginning to end.

Think of it as a visual aid made up of a number of boxes/thumbnails each filled with essential information – how the setting will look, who will be present, what actions will take place and what script will be delivered during the scene.

The point of a storyboard is to provide a single visual reference point so that all stakeholders can use this shared information to understand and assess the proposed content of the video before it is made.

Obviously there are many different types of corporate video with vastly different content and treatments – so this is a general purpose guide on how to create storyboards.

Storyboarding Introduction

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At this end of the brainstorming discussion one or two of the treatments usually start to be championed (hopefully ‘on brief’!) which can then be developed into a storyboard. As the idea will still be in its infancy and need further development, don’t worry at this stage about making it a work of art.

(Tip – one of the most fluid ways of polishing ideas is to use a pad of Post-It notes on which to prepare the proposed sequence of shots – think of each Post-It note as a video frame in which a different shot or scene will take place. Attach each note to an A4 (or preferably A3) sheet of paper that has been printed with a series of numbered boxes. Once completed it’s easy to remove or add new notes or change the order of shots.)

At some point you’ll decide on a storyboard treatment that you wish to present to your client. At this stage you can either get the best illustrator in the agency to work up the storyboard to presentation finish or alternatively there are a wide range of storyboarding software tools that can help you produce digital storyboards.

It’s important to recognise that storyboarding is a process that starts with a series of ideas and evolves through to a finished detailed proposal.

As a consequence it’s important to think of a storyboard as the final part of an evolving process.

So before you even start preparing thumbnails it’s essential that you:

• have completed and obtained sign off to the videofrog creative, production or distribution briefs. (Ask us for a copy)

• engage as many people from the agency / creative team in a discussion / workshop to first generate some initial ideas using the briefs as a constant reference point.

(Tip - give everyone some paper and some thick markers and facilitate a stream of quick and rough suggestions – this way nobody gets too attached to any particular idea.)

• narrow down these alternative themes /treatments and get everyone to come up with variations on how these shortlisted ideas could work. Again, the idea is to work quickly and effectively and let creativity run wild.

(Tip – at this stage give everyone an A4 piece of paper folded four times to make eight landscape panels and ensure that each participant only uses one piece of paper to put their ideas on paper)


Creating a storyboard

03

So what information should each thumbnail contain?

It depends on the type of video being produced, the levels of detail required and your experience in creating video proposals, but remember that corporate videos are generally short and you don’t want your client to get lost in trying to interpret your illustrations / notes instead of seeing the big picture.

So each successive scene should have enough information so that anyone can read the entire storyboard as if they were reading a comic book.

Usually, each thumbnail contains a picture showing what the visual content will be like and underneath a box containing the script and other production notes.

What is important to remember is that a storyboard is not trying to recreate on paper the full details of the entire video but a sequence of the key moments that show the plot or narrative developing from start to finish.

One thumbnail: two examples / final output

Storyboard information


Some of the essential information can include:

• Numbering for each shot. If you need to further explain shots use a sub system of numbering e.g. 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d etc.

• Name of ‘characters’ in the scene. For corporate videos this may be the names /job titles of company personnel. If necessary add details of age, sex and what they are wearing in the notes section.

• Beneath each thumbnail you will also show a rough dialogue or any lines from the script that will be said either by the character(s), company representative or as a voiceover.

• Describe what action is taking place. Be sure to highlight any key messages, turning points or plot twists.

• Give a reason for why your characters do what they do – this also provides a rationale for making each cut to a new shot.

• Provide insights into body language and facial expressions – how will the ‘character’ display the intended emotion?

• Location, background and scene details including props.

• To help in the post-production process you should include any video effects, graphics, captions as well as any sound effects required.

04

• Angle from which the camera is shooting (high, waist, low)

• How the subject matter will be framed. There are a number of widely used acronyms that can be included to describe the type of shot:

ECU – Extreme close upBCU – Big close upCU – Close upMCU – Medium close upWide – Wide shotLS – Long shotGV – General view

• Indicate motion by using lines to indicate speed or arrows to show direction of travel. If necessary add further detail in the notes section underneath each thumbnail.

• Include, where relevant, any notes on how the lighting of the shot should look.

• Approximate time in seconds the shot or sequence should take.

Finally, remember to be open to new ideas. A storyboard is likely to constantly evolve from the suggestions and ideas made by clients and the video production company.

Thumbnail Information

Optional information includes:


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• Does the sequencing flow logically so that it’s easy for the audience to understand and remember key points?

• Are you sure that the video successfully delivers the benefits or key messages?

• What action do you want your audience to take once they have viewed the video?

• Is the video trying to achieve too much? Don’t’ try to explain what you do, sell your service and show a case study all in the same video – a tailored video with a specific message will be more effective in the long run.

• Does the video have a strong unfolding story? Remember that attention spans are very low (less than eight seconds) unless there is very engaging content.

• Is the script/storyboard authentic and honest? Its crucial to secure trust from the outset or the messages in your video will be treated by derision from a highly sceptical audience.

Storyboard evaluation checklist:


Copyright © 2015 videofrog, Whitwam ltd

a videofrog knowledge base guide storyboarding · why are storyboards so important? • it’s a...

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