Filmmaking

Your overall project for this unit is your short (1-5 minute) movie. See here for an idea of the process:

__Step One: Script!__ You have written your script, with your group, on the topic you chose from the assignment above. The script is due ON FRIDAY, APRIL 17. (Not because I want to take home a million scripts, but because you will need it next week to make your storyboards, and giving you a deadline means you'll have them ready!) We have notes on script layout, and you have the Coke commercial script as a sample. If you do not have these notes, you should get them (I have copies).

__Step Two: Shots/Angles/Camera Movement__ You can't describe what kind of shots you want to use unless you have the vocabulary. In class, we went over the basics of camera shots, angles and movement. I showed you a PowerPoint presentation, which I modified from the original by MacDonald Media Library. Most of this is theirs. Here is the presentation, in case you were late or away. Please note this was shown in class on April 16 (Info Tech per 2) or April 17 (Info Tech per 7). Expect the quiz during the week of April 20-24.

__Step Three: Storyboarding__ In your group, you need to storyboard your script. There are several different ways to storyboard, but what you need to remember is this: // The purpose of the storyboard is to translate your script into VISUAL language. // People not in your group will have a good idea of how your final film will look (your teacher, for example!). Your group may see that some things don't work, and come up with another way to do them--that's good! It's part of the creative process. Also, note: you will usually want more than one shot per scene! Remember our example Coke commercial: one scene, LOTSA shots.

There are many types of storyboarding templates available on the Internet. Feel free to search Google Images for "storyboard template". Each group should decide on ONE template to use for their production (don't waste a lot of time on debating this; your director should have the final say). You can print them off at home (or in the school library for 5 cents a page). If printing is an issue, please note that you can draw your own storyboard sheets if you prefer. I have humungo-sized paper (11 x 17 inches), or the smaller sheets--choose ONE size for your group and stick with it.

If you would like to use photoshop to storyboard (not a good idea unless you are already good with Photoshop), there is a good video on how to do this below. media type="youtube" key="7cWVdK5xyTs" width="318" height="181"

Most of the information I have passed on to you about storyboards and the storyboarding process I learned from YouTube and other Internet sources. There are some EXCELLENT notes you might want to read that will help you understand the process (I liked them). [|The link is here].