In the process of filmmaking, the average film-goer knows the principal responsibilities involved in putting together a feature length or short film. The Actors and Director are readily mentioned and the Writer not long after. If you are an avid cinephile, you would no doubt acknowledge the work of the Cinematographer/Director of Photography. But what of the Storyboard Artist? This unsung hero facilitates the visual language that the Director uses to communicate to us, the viewers. So what exactly do they do?
From the definition above you get the basic idea of what a storyboard artist does, but the context is what’s important. Usually, if you do see storyboards for a film, they are for action sequences. Artists like Gabriel Hardman, Martin Asbury and David Allock give us the sense of scope and movement that you’ll see on screen in CGI and action-heavy affairs like Interstellar, Edge of Tomorrow and Fast & Furious 6 respectively but there is a more subtle, nuanced approach in dramatic films. Regardless it generally comes down to four factors:
1.) Characters: Where are they in the frame?
2.) Action: Are they speaking? Moving? Fighting? Dancing? Kissing?
3.) Time: How much time is elapsing in/between panels?
4.) Camera Distance/Movement: Is it close? Far? Zooming in/out? Panning left/right?
For Details, Director Sally Lomidze has crafted storyboards to convey the action of the characters and the inherent motion behind them. While the dialogue between Amelia and Dan may flow seamlessly, it’s the sequence has been designed in such a way to allow for a natural ‘feel’. When Rosa and Miguel argue, you get the sting of Rosa’s venomous barbs because the camera is place in such a way to pick up the facial expressions and body language of the character. Romance and conflict ‘sell’ onscreen because of the meticulous planning behind the proverbial curtain.
Below are some images taken from Sally’s storyboards. We hope this will give you a glimpse into what we have planned and the labor of love it takes to get it all onscreen.
