Storyboarding BLK Homework

Why is storyboarding an essential part of the film making process?

Storyboards are used to help film directors, cinematographers and any one else involved in the film-making process to visualize the scenes and find potential problems before they occur.

One advantage of using storyboards is that it allows the user to experiment with changes in the storyline to create a stronger reaction or interest. Flashbacks, for example, are often the result of sorting storyboards out of chronological order to help create tension and interest.

The process of visual thinking and planning allows a group of people to brainstorm together, placing their ideas on storyboards and then arranging the storyboards on the wall, this creates more ideas through the group.

'P' is for Psycho
What is happening in the opening sequence of the film?

We enter the toilet as an onlooker and see a man who is bandaging his hand. The camera zooms into the plug hole(filled with blood) and as he is healing himself, a boy enters the room and all we see is the other guys eyes in an ECU. This then fades to black and we hear a gunshot bulding up tension and making it unclear as to what is happening, we presume that the boy who enters the toilet is killed. The film is likely to be a slasher/teen slasher due to this horrific scene.

How is narrative flow established?

Narrative flow is established with the detail shown below each shot (ECU, MS, Low key, very slow, etc...) and the arrows in particular help us see what happens with the camera to enable the viewer to see the narrative flow. The notes between each shot also help us see the narrative flow.

If you were directing this sequence, what aspects of the storyboard would you like to change?

If i were directing this scene I would draw the scene over a longer time. The whole scene seems to be too short and there isn't enough tension built, although the healing man, and the boy entering does help us realise a small amount of tension. I would also make the man look scarier as in this scene the boy visually appears to be the bad guy.