Storyboarding

IT342 – Fundamentals of Multimedia

What is a Storyboard?

• A storyboard is a series of drawings meant for pre-visualizing the shots of a movie.

• Developing video or multimedia projects without storyboarding is like trying to go some place you’ve never been without directions.

• Storyboarding is an essential tool for planning any multimedia (including Website design) or video production.

• Using a storyboard will reduce production time and frustrations.

Why create a storyboard?

Two basic purposes:

First,

• It acts as a process tool helps visualize the final product.

• Work out visually shots, layout, and sequencing of shots.

• It’s much easier less expensive try out alternatives in preproduction stage

rather than during production or shooting.

Why create a storyboard?

Second:

• It acts as a communication tool teams of people, clients

• Storyboards often undergo significant revisions as a project evolves, and as

various specialists offer feedback.

How do I make a storyboard?

• A storyboard can be as simple or as elaborate as you like.

• Begin with a few quick sketches, using a pencil so you can easily erase and modify.

• Do not get bogged down in too much detail, especially in the beginning.

• Focus on the essential details of the scene.

• You may go with one shot or screen per page, or up to three or four per page.

• Use standard letter-size paper, and either find a template or create your own.

Storyboard Template

• A storyboard’s biggest role is to convey the story

effectively, as close as possible to what the movie

would look like at the end.

A few things to help convey the story:

• Write captions under the drawing

• Use arrows to show camera movements

• Color the object to differentiate it from the

background.

Storyboard Template

Storyboard Template

A template for a multimedia storyboard may contain many types of information, such as:

• The names of associated media files (audio, text, graphics, animation, etc.),

• The screen layout (where various elements such as buttons, images, and text go).

• Font and relative font size and color, as well as background color or pattern.

• Shot length, and special transitions.

• The ‘Text’ box can be used for actual dialogue, or for voiceover narration.

Can I use a computer to help create a Storyboard?

Quick sketching is often easier using pencil and paper than trying to use a computer. However the computer offers some useful capabilities. For instance, you can:

• Scan in your drawings, and modify and add color in a graphics application.

• You can also create a background once, and then simply copy it for other shots in the same location.

• Easily re-arrange a sequence using standard software

• Use a dedicated storyboarding application, which contains libraries of figures in different positions.

Useful Resources

Tools:

• http://tech.journalism.cuny.edu/2013/10/24/web-tools-for-multimedia-storytelling/

• http://www.pixton.com/

• http://goanimate.com/

• http://shotbox.se/

Resources:

• http://filmmakeriq.com/2010/10/500-storyboard-tutorials-resources/

• http://accad.osu.edu/womenandtech/Storyboard%20Resource/