What is storyboarding?

Storyboarding is a visual representation of the narrative sequence of a film. Storyboards contain a range of information including shot types, any camera movements, location, characters, action, sound, lighting, transition, timing and mise-en-scene. They are organised by shot number. Storyboarding is important for the film industry as it can have a number of benefits both before filming and after filming. It is helpful before filming as it can help to plan out camera work, creates a visual plan and helps to organise and direct a crew around the director's vision. This saves time on set, allowing the crew members to be efficient and take full advantage of the time they have on set. Furthermore, it also allows the director and other members of the crew to make mise-en-scene choices, which also helps to save time. Creating a storyboard can also have a number of benefits for after filming. It can provide and editing guide which is helpful for the editor during post-production.

Many successful films have had storyboards created as part of the film-making process. Below is part of the storyboard created for the film Jurassic Park (1993), which was directed by Steven Spielberg and stars Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum and Laura Dern. The storyboard was created by the artist David Lowrey. 

For our opening sequence, our group will be creating a storyboard as it will help us to plan out our shots before we arrive on set so that we can make sure all of our time us put to use. It will also help to ease any anxiety as we will be sure of exactly what we are filming.