How to storyboard a short film.

I have started to storyboard my short film. I need to get a move on, I hope to start filming in as a little as a month. The more prep I do the easier the shoot with be, the more smoothly it will go and the less chance I have of messing up.

Storyboards are used in filmmaking, animations and theatre to help visualize a scene taking place. Storyboards are like the comic book version of the film, using them can help you see any problems that may occur during filming.

Storyboards show various camera angles that would be used on-screen – close ups, mid shots, establishing shots etc. A white arrow is used to show a camera movement – zoom, pan, dolly etc. A black arrow is used to show an on screen movement such as a character walking off screen.

White arrows – camera movement

Black arrows – on screen/character movement

A lot of new filmmakers worry about their drawing skills.

It can look impressive to have well drawn storyboards (if only to show off with) but for practical purposes, it doesn’t matter how good your drawings look. Stickmen still do the job.