A comprehensive guide to visual storytelling from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), one of the world's leaders in sequential arts instruction. Storyboarding is the process of graphically organizing a project—a motion picture, animation, motion graphic, or interactive media sequence—in order to translate artists' ideas from story to screen. Whether you're a filmmaker, animator, ad director, writer, or video-game artist—storyboarding is a skill that is absolutely critical. Storyboarding Essentials covers everything students and working professionals need to master the art of writing and formatting scripts, creating frames, and following visual logic to create a cohesive narrative.
Product Details
ISBN-13: 9780770436940
Media Type: Paperback
Publisher: Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed
Publication Date: 06-25-2013
Pages: 192
Product Dimensions: 7.42(w) x 10.72(h) x 0.66(d)
Series: SCAD Creative Essentials
About the Author
BENJAMIN REID PHILLIPS has been teaching drawing, storyboarding, and sequential art courses at SCAD since 2004. He is also a sequential artist and illustrator whose work has been featured in the Cartoon Art Museum's Monsters of Webcomics series. He won the Georgia College Press Association's Best Editorial Feature for his District serial, Dr. Dead. Phillips has also worked on Devil's Due comic edition of FOX's hit TV series, Family Guy. DAVID HARLAND ROUSSEAU has taught drawing and design courses at SCAD since 2005. He is an entrepreneur, author, award-winning illustrator, graphic designer, actor, and former video journalist and news reporter. In 2008, he was named to the Business Report and Journal's "40 Under 40" list, and is the recipient of a Silver ADDY Award. He has also written Savannah Tavern Tales and Pub Review and Savannah Ghosts: Haunts of the Hostess City, illustrated by Julie Collins.
Read an Excerpt
Read an Excerpt
Regardless of genre or discipline, storyboards share a language that reflects the jargon and terminology employed by industries born out of the filmed visual narrative. They connect written word to final cut; they concern themselves with what the camera “sees” (framing height, camera angle, and movement); they use standard and recognized formats (aspect ratios); and they even employ similar organizational systems (numbering). While the cinematographer relies on instinct and experience, a good storyboard artist will develop a strong understanding of camera angles and framing heights to help the director achieve his or her vision.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Contents
Foreword, by Stratton Leopold Introduction 1. What Is Storyboarding? The Types of Storyboards A Visual Road Map 2. Interpreting the Written Word Script Basics Script Breakdowns Spec Scripts Versus Shooting Scripts “And Now, a Word from Our Sponsor” Exercise: Script Breakdowns and Thumbnails A Difference of Opinion: The Great Savannah Race Interview: Kenny Chaplin, DGA/DGC 3. Rendering Rough or Polished Finish Little Drawings, Big Ideas The Right Tool for the Job Compositing A Difference of Opinion: Un-Deadwood Interview: Keith Ingham 4. Principles, Elements, and Conventions Aspect Ratios Getting Started Blocking the Composition Staying Organized Numbering How to Insert Shots Exercise: Numbering 5. Continuity What Is Continuity? Axis and Allies Breaking the Axis 30 Degrees of Separation Neutralizing and Cutaway Shots Screen Direction and Visual Logic Avoiding Confusion Building Tension and Creating a Surprise Don’t Turn Around A Difference of Opinion: Hyde from Jekyll—the Chase 6. What the Camera Sees The Camera Deep and Wide Shooting on Location Framing Heights and Angles Other Shots to Consider Cut to the Chase Behind the Scenes Exercise: Identifying Framing Heights and Angles 7. Move Me! No Reaction Without “Action!” Movements Drawings Versus Diagrams Camera Moves as Drawings Photomatics and Digimatics Order Out of Chaos Exercise: Movement Calls A Difference of Opinion: Hyde from Jekyll—Transmogrification Interview: Whitney Cogar 8. The Martini Shot Putting It All Together A Toast to Storyboarding Afterword: Humans Tell Stories, by Tina O’Hailey Appendix Index