How To Use Storyboards To Write Your Dramatic Script
posted: Jun 18th, 2010
Your vision for your dramatic script can be easier to refine and organize when you use storyboards to map out each frame of the action. By creating a polished movie storyboard, you can optimize your time and effort – in fact, using storyboards can be a great way to save money and labor as you begin the pre-production process. Making the most of your inspiration is one of the key benefits a cohesive storyboard can provide.
Getting Started – If you’re unsure about the best way to create a storyboard for your dramatic production, consider moving into the future by opting for digital storyboard software that does the work for you. Today’s cutting-edge programs offer users unprecedented access to pre-loaded artwork, backgrounds, special effects…and even a complete “cast” of characters. You can do your own story board, all by yourself – from start to finish – when you use a modern, intuitive storyboarding software program to “direct” your efforts. In some cases, a finished story board can be created in mere minutes.
Digital Storyboard Software Can Help – Digital storyboard software allows you to make your own animation. Rather than dealing with a blank storyboard that requires original artwork for every “scene”, you can simply run 2d animation software that does the work for you. By removing the biggest obstacle you’ll face (getting the artwork you need, on time!), the process becomes simpler and much easier to manage.
Digital software offers many benefits that make it cost-effective in the long run. Many of today’s indie directors use it in order to get a professional result they can disseminate all over the Internet. Adding images, music, and dialogue will be simple, and exporting files will also be a breeze. As well, you’ll save yourself the hassle of dealing with “live” artists, who often leave delays and drama in their wake. For simplicity of use and the ability to create Flash movies of your work (and then share it on your website and social networking sites!), digital is definitely the way to go. The best software actually allows you to transfer your storyboards into different formats, such as those compatible with the iPhone and other popular toys.
Covering All The Bases – Whether you choose digital storyboarding software or traditional “paper” storyboards, you should make an effort to cover all the bases when you map out your script. By laying things out, frame by frame, you can get a sense of what you’ll need to transfer your vision onto film. In fact, storyboards can help you plan out your entire production. From casting to locations to camera angles – everything can be tweaked in your initial storyboard. Taking the time to put together a great “storyboard template” for your drama can be very important – for you and your cast and crew. The primary function of an excellent storyboard is its ability to focus your team on your vision – it puts everyone on the same page.
All over the World Wide Web, storyboard examples can offer you some insight into old-fashioned paper storyboards, as well as digital storyboards. By checking out the finished work of other directors, you can learn more about the
storyboarding process, from beginning to end…be sure to Google “storyboard examples”, “storyboard software”, etc., in order to find examples that will shed more light on the whole process and the different effects that can be achieved. The only limitation is your imagination!
Know Your Genre – Consider subtypes of your genre when hunting for storyboard examples. After all, there are so many different ways to film drama. From haunting, true-to-life cinematography, to mysterious film noir, to romantic drama with poignant elements…there are so many subtypes to choose from. By examining your vision in-depth, and seeking out appropriate examples, you can make things work for your own production.
As a director or screenwriter, you probably already have a distinct vision for your drama. You know what “feel” you want, and how things should appear. With storyboards, you can experiment with ways of translating the vision in your own mind into something everyone can understand. By capturing the feel of your drama, whether it is dark, gritty, or inspirational (or all three!), you can set your production apart…from day one.
Map Out Technical Requirements – High or low camera angles? Close-ups, short, medium, or long shots? Props? All of these vital elements must be considered when you are creating a storyboard. You characters and sound are also vital “colors” in your creative palette. By integrating every component through a polished storyboard, you can pull together your production. With paper storyboards, you will need to start by drawing a sketch of each frame, then attaching notes detailing dialogue, voiceover narrative, etc. With computerized storyboards, you can click a mouse to add whatever you like…you can also delete what doesn’t work just as easily…
Brainstorming your characters can be an ideal way to approach your storyboard, once you’ve found relevant examples and decided how to create your boards. If you’re working with a creative team, sit down and write out some ideas and traits for each character in your drama. For example, the ages of your characters, their appearances, physical characteristics, conflicts, and past history could all be brainstormed. By doing this work beforehand, you can obtain a richer, more dimensional understanding of your characters – this will help your cast find their “motivations” for each scene. Be sure to keep your notes handy and integrate them into your storyboards.
Garnering interest in your work is just another part of the movie business…you need to promote your efforts to interest investors, create a buzz, and make a name for yourself. If you take the time to make your storyboard the best it can be, it can become a calling card for your script and your production. Basically, the modern storyboard (preferably created with digital software) can serve many purposes, beyond simply mapping out each frame. By understanding the process, you can use it to your best advantage. If you must use paper storyboards, be sure you have a way to share them with others i.e. presentations or other group events.
Storyboard software can help you get started…for a look at the hottest new storyboard programs for every budget, click the links.



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