This week, we looked at storyboarding and the elements behind it that go into creating scenes. We went through a presentation that included information on cinematography techniques and how to best composite shots. We discussed techniques including the rule of thirds, central framing in shots and the importance of maintaining accuracy to not confuse the audience.

For our first homework task, we were tasked with creating a flower sack storyboard.

For classwork, we were also tasked with creating a storyboard sequence based around prompts. Our prompts followed a flour sack mage casting spells in a cauldron. I found this exercise really fun because I liked how we were given prompts but full creative freedom over what to do with it, aside from some prompts pertaining to closeup shots and such. I thought this was a good way to get us introduced into storyboarding.

Then, for our group work project, we were tasked with each creating storyboards for our film. We got into our groups and around the whiteboard made a cohesive rundown of what is going to happen in our film. We split it up into sections to give to each person, and I took on the opening scene where our protagonist enters an establishing shot of the town before he enters the saloon, only to be met with the stares of unnerved vampire folk.

Storyboard

When developing my storyboard, I brainstormed some background ideas for the bar/saloon design in my notebook. I took inspiration from Red Dead Redemption. I wanted to give an establishing shot of the outside of the saloon so we could see where the protagonist was going. I drew up concept ideas in my sketchbook for the saloon and I ended up using it in my storyboard. I liked the idea of making it two floors, as we discussed in our group that we wanted Dracula to be found upstairs when our protagonist inevitably faces him. I added rough wooden planks to the ground and rooftop, and I also drew the windows in a sort of stained glass style to sort of emulate the gothic church feel that the vampires and their buildings have going on for them.

I thought that having the protagonist appear behind the saloon doors would be a nice touch. I wanted to have his silhouette mix with the doors to create a mysterious, intimidating tone as he slams them open. For comedic effect, I added a closeup of his face with sparkles to lighten the mode a bit. After that, there is an establishing shot of the crowd inside of the saloon, and it cuts to a closeup of some vampires which turn to look at him in disgust before he walks in. I kept the storyboard sketchy so I could work efficiently and I tried not to bog myself down with details too much. I kept a “less is more” mentality so I could communicate the story through simple lines until I could begin my animatic.