On Monday, February 27th, I began producing my storyboard with the class time my instructor allotted for us to work on our portfolio projects. Here's a link to a PDF of my storyboard, both versions.
I had a few goals in mind here. First of all, whenever I direct any sort of visual content or video production, I always like to storyboard as many shots as possible, because it helps me envision what each shot looks like, thus saving time on the actual day of filming. After meeting with my instructor, I used the feedback she gave me to develop a new version of my storyboard. For instance, we transitioned from a more complex sequence of shots during the initial music break to a more simple focus and zoom on Charlie in the backseat to the music, to communicate a more intense emotional moment.
I then used tools such as Getty Images and Windows' in-house image editing as reference pictures for certain frames on my storyboard so that I could really bring what I saw in my head to life. I used these pictures as references for some of the car shots in my storyboard.
After I developed a new version of my storyboard, I took some test shots around possible set locations: my bedroom, my older sister's empty bedroom, the entryway and staircase of my house, and my car. I asked my significant other/romantic partner to act in some of these practice shots so I could visualize them better. This was an extremely valuable part of my planning process, since I was able to use my phone (which is what I plan to use to film much of my opening) to shoot, and I was also able to determine that some shots (like the entryway scene and car scene) could be shot by one person or with the help of Beatriz (my lead actor and peer from the course) and her tripod. I cannot show the stills from my practice shots for privacy reasons.
Then, I conducted research into what tools I could use to develop my script. I knew that formatting to industry standard would be more trouble than it was worth on Google Docs or Microsoft Word, even though I had free access to both of those tools. I used this blog post to help me determine that Drama Queen's free tool was more than enough to suit my needs as an amateur writer/director/filmmaker. Here's a link to my script so far.
I also asked my partner to help me read it out loud so that I could time it roughly, planning for about 20 seconds of music in the intro. I also cannot include the audio recording for privacy reasons.
Friends, I am exhausted. More on the mise-en-scene elements will come next week, but I'm very glad that I have my opening visualized and written down on paper.
Yours always,
Clover Fields
Sources:
Boy (9 in backseat of car, looking out window. (n.d.). Getty Images. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://www.gettyimages.com.mx/detail/foto/boy-9-in-backseat-of-car-looking-out-window-imagen-libre-de-derechos/479205069
Authentic and engaging images from Offset. (n.d.). Offset. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://www.offset.com/photos/young-woman-sitting-on-backseat-in-a-car-looking-out-of-window-765070
8 Free Screenwriting Software Choices For Writers 2020. (2019, December). Script Reader Pro. https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/free-screenwriting-software/
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