Sharing this in the Acting Lounge. I recently did storyboards for the film CLASSIC, written and directed by Michelle Hoffman. Here is a storyboard next to a close up shot of the actress/main character in the film. You never know how a scene is visually translated from script to storyboard to how the director and cinematographer frame/compose the shot. In the end, the actor/actress deliver the goods, serving the story by reacting/acting in the scene. Here is one example of the close shot up of the actress, acting in the scene, facial mood/expression/reaction within the framework/context of the shot. It’s as if you co-wrote a song with the screenwriter and the actress, as a singer, interprets the scene, bringing her own creative expression to the visual and the written word. Filmmaking, a collaborative process and a thank you/shout to the actors and actresses, bringing the scenes alive, from a script page and a storyboard.
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Hi Rich Terdoslavich Thanks for posting this. So illuminating to find out more about what goes on behind the scenes of film-making. In this instance the actress and you seem to have a similar interpretation. What do you think? I"m also curious to hear from other actors here how you feel about storyboards? Do you rely on them more or on the script and director? Has anyone ever changed their interpretation of a character/scene due to the storyboard?
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Hi, Alexandra. Thank you for your positive comments. There is a lot of a preparation before a scene is shot. I would assume that an actress or an actor would react/interpret the scene in their own creative manner that could be different from how a storyboard artist illustrates a scene. I don’t know how directors work with actors and actresses regarding storyboards. I know that boards are needed for the cinematographer to prep the shots. Blocking/framing/lighting are other elements that go into the scene along with the performance of the actress/actor in that scene, what emotional quality they could bring that serves the film.
I never rely on any actors or actresses when doing boards, because, I believe/assume that no one has been casted yet. A director or a producer contacts me with the script, I read it and then I breakdown the scenes, see how many boards I will have to draw. It’s a visual blueprint for the director and the cinematographer to have. I have to think about angle shots and how each scene transitions from panel to panel. Try to put a lot of effort into it, as oppose to phoning it in. Do the best I can. I highly recommend to anyone in the film industry to watch tons of films and study various visual techniques/acting styles etc., to understand all the aspects of visual storytelling.
That’s a great question. I am not sure. I don’t know what happens on set, whether a director uses storyboards for the actor or actress when they are filming. Again, I know that a director and a cinematographer will need boards for preproduction. What I like about what I posted-my storyboard and the close up shot of the actress-is to see the transformation of the scene from the board- a tight close up shot of an eye-to a low angle close up of the actress. And also notice the lighting/facial expression and framing of the shot. These are other key elements that serves the scene, whereas the board is the framework. So many ideas and concepts go into the scene.
Again, thank you for your positive comments and will be posting more work soon. Have a great weekend! All the best.
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This is such a great breakdown of the collaborative nature of filmmaking, Rich Terdoslavich! It’s always fascinating to see how a scene evolves from script to storyboard to the final frame. The comparison between a performer interpreting a scene like a singer interpreting a song is beautiful.
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Hi Rich Terdoslavich Thanks for explaining more about how you go about thinking about and preparing for making storyboards. I admit to not knowing much about it. I’m impressed by the work , artistic and technical skill it must require! Look forward to more posts from you in due course
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Hi, Ashley! Thank you for your positive comments. I think actors/actresses and singers/musicians have the ability/challenge to express their interpretation of a scene in a film.play or a singer cutting tracks with lyrics in hand, recording in a studio. That’s why certain actors or singers own that character or that song. There are probably great actors who can do Streetcar, but Brando always come to mind or songs that Sinatra recorded. Anyone else can do it, but you think of Frank with It Was A Very Good Year. Again, thank you for what you wrote and talk to you soon!
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Thanks, Alexandra! I enjoy doing boards, because you get to visualize the scenes and start composing them. You make creative choices/decisions as to how to draw these scenes and how they will interconnect. Thank you for liking my work and I will be posting more artwork soon. All the best and have a great weekend!