Motion Picture Previsualization – How It Can Work For Your Production
posted: Aug 19th, 2010
The most successful directors in the business have all learned the secret of effective pre-production…motion picture previsualization is the keystone of setting up a great film. From the first frame to the final fade, previz can organize and refine your artistic vision…and it’s so easy to do. For decades, filmmakers have relied on different methods of “previz” to achieve their goals. Some of the most memorable films out there have been planned using unique tools and concepts that you can try, too! However, the methods of past decades are growing quite obsolete – technology is changing the face of previz…
Previsualization can be simple and low-tech at the outset – you might want to start with a simple sharing of ideas and visions for the project – you can sit with your group (if you’re not working alone) and come up with information about location, dialogue, music, camera angles, etc. By jotting down notes and sharing your vision of your film with others, you can put together a pool of ideas that add dimension and depth to your project. This brainstorming phase can be a great way to flesh out a script or concept – and it costs you nothing. Be sure to take notes or record your session for later reference.
Once you’ve established some guidelines and ideas, you can move forward into storyboarding. This part of previz maps out every scene of your film, cartoon, commercial, or other project. Directors have different ways of achieving great previz through storyboarding – some use small-scale models, some opt for Bristol board covered in drawings and Post-It Notes…these old-fashioned tools are a bit more time-consuming than today’s digital storyboards.
Brilliant directors of classic films have created storyboards that are considered works of art. Orson Welles Citizen Kane storyboards were part of an important gallery display in 1993 (the Pace Gallery). Today, the Coen Brothers (Fargo, The Big Lebowski) carefully storyboard every scene of their prospective film. Many directors take care to put together the most detailed storyboards possible, because they make it easier to find investors. Often, a complete previz/storyboard phase will be completed before any funding is sought out. Award-winning director Martin Scorsese also spends a great deal of time refining his vision through careful previz and storyboarding.
Today, it’s easier than ever to make previz worthwhile for your project – cutting-edge software programs allow you to quickly and successfully pull together polished, complete storyboards. Because these digital storyboard software programs offer pre-loaded artwork, backgrounds, and special effects, as well as the easy inclusion of dialogue and music, putting an entire pre-production storyboard together is much easier than it used to be. Bear in mind that storyboarding a major motion picture usually requires thousands of drawings and frames.
Today’s movie storyboard programs offer a whole new level of ease and simplicity – they are designed to work with your own imagination. You can switch between scenes and go wherever your creativity takes you…changing elements like camera angles, characters, and sound can be as easy as clicking a mouse. If you’re looking for a faster, more cost-effective way to get your storyboards ready, consider digital programs that make previz intuitive, simple, and fun. The days of using props, figures, plastic models and Bristol Board are over. You can enjoy all the benefits of technology with storyboard software. Pacing, blocking and editing can all be achieved quickly and almost effortlessly.
In today’s world, special effects play an important role in modern cinema – getting these effects to work as per the director’s vision can be tricky and expensive. To avoid re-dos that drive up production costs and stress out crews and technicians, director use previz and digital storyboards to map out the process. One of the benefits of storyboard software that is computerized is the way a finished storyboard can be transformed into a sort of “show reel” that attracts the interest of actors, investors, and the media. If you want the very best for your film or project, you’ll find digital storyboards a huge help.
Today, beautiful examples of previz have become an art form – one example is the digital storyboards used by James Cameron to plan out the filming and animation for Avatar. Often, great storyboard software results will be used in a film’s DVD, as part of the “behind the scenes” extras. Clearly, in the digital age, movie fans are interested in the journey and creative process of the director and his or her crew. By opting for digital storyboards, you can create work that is professional enough to show off, and you won’t even have to hire a live artist! With today’s programs, pre-loaded artwork gives you the results you want – without the hassle and drama of dealing with an artist.
Imagine how easy it will be to plan out sequences and make decisions when you can see your vision on a computer monitor – complete with characters, backgrounds, and sound! It truly takes previz (also known as previs) to a whole new level. By choosing modern software, you can cut sequences before a camera starts rolling! You’ll save yourself time and money, and you’ll make your production smoother, more organized, and more powerful to viewers.
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