For my last impuls blog post I chose the Domestika course „Introduction to Storyboarding“ by Laura Ewing Ferrer. The course is an exploration of the art and technique behind creating effective storyboards. Through this course, Laura shares her expertise, breaking down the complexities of storyboarding into accessible and actionable lessons. Whether for animation, live-action films, or advertisements, storyboarding is an essential tool in visual storytelling, and this course emphasizes why.
Why do we need storyboarding?
One of the course’s key takeaways is the diverse applications of storyboarding. Laura emphasizes that storyboarders are essentially idea sellers, presenting a blueprint of a project before it’s even made. This „movie on paper“ allows directors and teams to visualize the composition, story and shot structure, saving significant time and money during production.
Here are some insights from the course:
- Quick and Disposable: Storyboards are not meant to be final art pieces but working drafts that can be altered as needed. The focus is on clarity, composition, and narrative flow rather than polished illustrations.
- Cost Efficiency: Animation projects often dedicate years to developing storyboards that align with narrative and technical requirements. This upfront investment prevents costly mistakes during production.
- Adaptability: Directors use storyboards differently; some create rough sketches themselves, while others rely on storyboard artists to flesh out complex sequences. Advertising storyboards tend to be even simpler, emphasizing sound and key visuals over intricate detail.
Types of shot sizes and their purpose
In the course, Laura also explains different camera shot sizes and their narrative functions. Each type of shot serves a purpose in building the story:
- Establishing Shots: Introduce the setting and give context to the audience.
- Wide Shots: Showcase the character’s full body and their environment.
- Medium Shots: Highlight expressions and body language, often used for dialogue.
- Close-Ups: Focus on details or emotions, directing the audience’s attention.
- Extreme Close-Ups: Reveal intensity or subtle details that enhance the scene’s mood.
Camera angles also play a crucial role. Low angles convey power and intimidation, while high angles create vulnerability. Dutch angles add unease, while dynamic movements like dolly shots or pans bring the audience closer to the action.
Framing and composition
Framing is essential in making each shot visually engaging. Laura introduces the rule of thirds, which divides the frame into nine equal parts to create balance and guide the viewer’s eye. Strategic placement of characters and elements within this grid can make scenes more compelling.
Another key concept is the „dirty shot,“ where a blurred object in the foreground adds depth and perspective. Laura also discusses crossing the 180-degree axis, explaining how maintaining spatial continuity keeps viewers oriented within the scene.
The author also explains different storyboarding and drawing techniques, as well es giving a basic drawing course. She also shows her process, from creating thumbnails to the final panels.
Why this course was interesting for me
What I found most fascinating about this course was how it normalized storyboarding. Before taking it, I thought storyboarding was purely about artistic skill, but Laura’s approach emphasized its practical and collaborative nature. I loved how she highlighted the adaptability of storyboarding for different mediums, from fluid, expressive animation storyboards to technical live-action guides.
