EXAMPLE OF A STORYBOARD FOR A SCENE FROM A WESTERN

• Before the cinematographer can turn a film script into a film, he or she needs to picture or visualise what each shot will look like that is going to make up the film. (By a shot we mean from the time the camera is turned on and starts filming the action to the time the camera is switched off.)

• The cinematographer then turns his or her ideas for each shot into a storyboard.

• For each shot, the cinematographer has to decide on a number of different things.

Decide on the setting or location.

Decide on the shot type (e.g. close-up).

Decide on the angle of the shot (e.g. upward or low angle).

Decide on the camera movement (e.g. panning or tracking).

Decide on any props or special effects.

Decide on how many actors are needed in the shot.

When all the frames of the storyboard are put together in sequence, they give a visual suggestion of the story and effect the cinematographer wants to achieve, as shown here: