Storyboarding

Storyboarding is vital in pre-production planning is most media sectors that rely on visual design. Storyboards allow filmmakers, animators, music video producers and video game producers to visualise their ideas before it is created, this allows them to see their idea clearly and amend anything that doesn't work, which saves time during production all crew already know what is wanted from that shot. Storyboards vary depending on which media sector you look at.

On this film storyboard you can see the emotion and sense of panic on the characters face, the imagery of the storyboard shows the reader the panic by using a close up on the face of the driver, and also the arrows that show how fast and frantically actions like the moving of the gear stick are. It also puts in to perspective the size of the horse. The drawings really catches the energetic motion of the scene.

The first shot is a medium shot that shows us the protagonists surroundings and situation, this is followed by a close up of the protagonists face, which creates tension and suspense. The following scene is a close up of the protagonists hand accompanied by an arrow to signal to cast and crew what should be done. These little details such as, the close up to reveal tension and the medium shot to reveal the danger the protagonist is in allows the storyboard to flow very well.

There is no reference to sound on the storyboard for this scene. This could be be explained through the fact the scene does not appear to have any dialogue as it is a scene told via imagery. There could be some non-diegetic sound although it is possible the storyboard designer just wanted the the visual aid without making it more detailed or complicated.

There is a lack of explanatory text about cuts and no text that indicates movement, which means you have to rely on visual aid only. However we see this cuts visually through changes to camera shots. The storyboard artist may have felt that too many visualisations may overcomplicate the storyboard, which could lead to the reader losing that sense of flow. The shots move well from a close up of the antagonist to a medium shot of the horse, which employs clear continuity and shows both the protagonist and the danger to his life (the horse).

The storyboard uses nine cells which is quite a lot, this takes away detail from individual cells, which isn't ideal, we also get no information about the scene on the storyboard, this does not negatively affect the scene. However, this may make some scenes that are less action and more plot based confusing with the lack of description.

Overall this storyboard is good. The exceptional imagery allows you to visualise the scene logically and the choice of shots help show the scene cinematically while also helping the cinematographer be well prepared for the shoot, which saves time and money. There is no accompanying description , which works reasonably well with the scene that entails action. However, a description could help various members of cast and crew (Use of sound, lighting crew).

The imagery on this video game storyboard is very simple but effective. There isn't much detail in the imagery but this is done purposely as video games like this one require a lot of software development so the imagery and finer details of aren't as important at an early stage, but that being said the characters themselves and more important objects are drawn here so the game developers can work them into the software earlier on. This is why it is vital that they are hand drawn so the reader can see precisely what the storyboard artist wants.
There is no variety in camera angles as this video game does not require it therefore the storyboard artist only uses one angle as that is all that necessary to show the main objects and characters of this scene. There is no text to explain the camera angles or techniques as this would be irrelevant to the game designer.
There is no text to explain sound direction as it is likely that this scene would use little diegetic sounds and a non diegetic back track which would happen later in the production process so it is not needed on the storyboard, as this could just confuse the reader.
There is no text talking about any edits, as like the sound this would likely just unnecessarily confuse the reader and take them away from the main objective of the storyboard, which is the visuals. However from cell to cell there is an obvious edit although not complex and allows the storyboard to flow.
For the majority this video game storyboard allows the visuals to do the talking. Although for the reader the storyboard has text on each cell, which show who the player is and the enemies that the player must eliminate, this is vital as it means there will be no confusion between crew when looking at the storyboard. This also means that the storyboard flows easier. There is six cells on this storyboard page and this allows the storyboard artist to show a lot of detail in each individual cell, which allows for the crew to get a better idea of what is needed.
The storyboard lacks continuity as it is hard to follow and could pose a problem for a reader trying to make sense of it.
Overall, the video game storyboard is effective. The imagery allows you to see what the game entails and the text shows you who there characters are in the game, this also would help the software developer, which would save time and money. The continuity of each scene lets the storyboard down as it could be hard to follow for the reader.

The images are hand drawn, and well sketched out. This allows us to see the emotion on faces of the two characters and lets us visualise the peril of characters. They are close together suggesting solidarity, but are both frantically trying to escape from the shark, which is only visible on the storyboard by its fin. This is significant as in the third cell you see the sheer size of the shark when its fin is massive in proportion to the characters head, which clearly shows how suspense would be created. 
The use of camera angles is effective as close up shots are used as we see the emotion on the characters faces. We also see them flailing their arms, which captures the energetic motion of the scene well. There is no accompanying texts, which is likely because it would just confuse the reader and the storyboard artist wants the imagery and angles to do the talking.

There is no reference to sound in this scene, either in text form or on the image. This can be explained, as the scene does not appear to have any dialogue, as it is an action scene told with detailed imagery, which is effective enough. It could help to have some indication whether a non-diegetic soundtrack would be used to build suspense here, however as the scene is primarily told visually, the storyboard designer could have believed that the imagery and camera angles of the scene would work best without making it too detailed and possible confusing.

There is no text explaining any edits of any nature, nor can you see them visually this would make it difficult for the editor when looking at the storyboard to determine what techniques should be used.

It is very easy to follow the storyboard as the images do the talking, the storyboard being straightforward helps any cast or crew needing to look at it to understand what is needed from this particular scene.

It is very easy to see how it flows from one shot to the next, which again helps cast and crew.

This storyboard is extremely effective as it allows the reader to visual the scene logically and with good continuity. The good hand drawn imagery helps convey the action extremely well and the various choice of shots help show the scene cinematically, while also assisting a cinematographer in being well prepared for appropriate sets ups, this would save money and time. There is a slight problem with the lack of accompanying text, however as this is an action scene in which the images are the main focus this works well. Although, more detail and context could help other cast and crew.

The images and hand drawn and very well sketched out, this allows us to see a lot of details in the images, such as, the microphone the band member is holding, which is a very vital prop within this scene. You also see the grand setting on which the band are playing, which is vital to any crew that work on the set. You also see the facial expression of the band member which shows his energy and emotion while performing the song.

There isn't a lot of variety used in this particular storyboard when it comes to camera angles used, although that could be the intention of the storyboard artist as there is a lot going on shot to shot, so to show the reader as much as possible there are a lot of long to medium shots used. This helps got the message across. There is also information under each cell detailing what the camera movements are and what is happening shot to shot, this provides great help to cast and crew who need to such information, this will also save time and money as everyone will know there place. 

The text also details some of the key edits within this scene, which allows for editors to easily pickup what they need to do and saves any confusion that might of arose.

There is no sound detailed on the storyboard. Although with this scene being a band playing music you would assume that there would be music playing it is possible that the storyboard artist left any sound detail of the storyboard to keep simplicity and save from confusion. It is also very easy to imagine the sound without specific direction from the storyboard. 

The layout is very straightforward, however as there are nine cells this means each individual cell is a little small. This could create a problem, although with the significant text underneath each cell this means that any confusion can be quickly cleared up.

You can logically see the scenes flow and with help from the descriptions underneath continuity is not a problem.

This storyboard leaves a little to be desired visually as it is difficult to see what is going on in each shot however, the significant text underneath that details edit information and shot information means that it is easy for cast and crew to follow shot by shot, which ultimately saves time and money.