After Effects Plugins: Learn The Tricks of Efficient Documentary Storyboarding

Posted by Cappadonna on Monday, November 22, 2010

By Lisa Schwartz


Filming a great documentary requires great attention to detail -cautious study, enthusiasm for the subject material at hand, and painstaking preparation can combine to produce a wonderful "slice of life" - one that truly resonates with viewers. However, you have to approach the pre-production section of your project properly - part of getting it right depends on excellent storyboarding. Comprehensive storyboards will allow you to organize lots of different types of info - you'll be able to plan out the entire pre-production process.

The majority of documentary film makers strive to create a specific focus or point-of-view (Dylan Avery, creator of the 9/11 conspiracy documentary, Loose Change, is an example of this style), whereas others will make an effort to avoid bias or editorializing. Whatever approach you are taking, you will have to go through a process of previsualization before your can craft genuinely efficient storyboards. This particular previz phase is usually a brainstorming stage, one where test interviews may also be carried out (with or without filming the topic).

The aim of previz is to structure a particular focus, and also to locate subjects who'll share their lives to the degree that is necessary to make a meaningful documentary. Throughout previz, take into account locations, research, "casting", as well as camera shots and angles. Devote some time thinking about soundtracks, music, as well as any special effects. Setting the tone and organizing your vision is the aim of previsualization. Sometimes, this is achieved in a group setting - true brainstorming is a group activity. However, you may also work alone - placing your research in a linear order and dreaming up ideas can be very helpful as your prepare to do your storyboarding.

Nowadays, documentary directors are avoiding the tedious storyboarding methods of past years. Instead of hiring a live artist, and coping with delays and drama while awaiting sketches, they are opting for film storyboard software that takes the artist out of the equation. Web storyboard software has come a long way - right now, it offers a full complement of pre-loaded artwork, including characters, background, and props. This particular software program is designed to pay for itself as time passes, by eliminating the need to outsource drawings. It also streamlines the creative process - you can produce finished storyboards in only minutes.

Whichever storyboard technique you decide on, be it old-fashioned paper storyboards or modern digital storyboards, you will have to pre-plan every second of your documentary - frame by frame. Consider each and every element of each shot or scene, and then add dialogue and music as well (certainly, this is simpler with digital storyboards - the software program makes it easy to add or change sound clips). Play with ideas while you build your storyboard - you are able to capture the substance of your artistic vision by means of experimentation. This can lead to a more streamlined, cost-effective filming process. You'll save time, money, and energy when you create refined storyboarding that organizes all the myriad elements of your documentary - prior to the cameras start rolling.




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