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Visual considerations

Because storyboarding is a visual medium made to represent other visual mediums, it is important to think about what the storyboard will look like and what the camera will show. Think of the camera as another “character” in your scene: what are they seeing, and how can you use that to tell a story? 

Thinking about visuals in your storyboard is especially important as this will convey the mood and atmosphere of your project to any other collaborators, such as camera directors, animators, actors, etc. 

Some aspects of visual considerations include: 

  • Light, focus, and atmosphere
    • This influences the viewer’s attentions and emphasizes the dramatic importance of objects or actions 
  • Composition
    • This describes how things are places or move across the screen
    • This borrows from composition principles of photography, but they apply to any visual medium and keep communication clear
    • Rule of thirds and the “Golden Ratio” are two very common principles that can help a shot look more composed
  • Camera angles

 

Camera angles

Table with graphics illustrating six camera angles. Eye Level, good for everyday shots. Low Angle, from below the subject, gives subject the appearance of being imposing. POV/Over The Shoulder provides a sense of closeness. Top-Down/High angle is from above the subject, makes the subject seem less significant. Bird’s Eye, from very far above, creates a sense of setting and vastness, great for establishing shots. Dutch Angle, at a diagonal angle to the horizon, creates a sense of unsettling movement.

 

Drawing attention

  • This refers to guiding the viewer’s eyes by the empathizing objects in a scene
  • Can be done by increasing the contest or saturation, lines of motion, or staging (where objects are placed)