Storyboarding

Why are storyboards essential to the film making process?

• They provide a basic outline which in pre-production allows the director to get the correct feel for the movie
• This also helps them to overcome any potential problems before going on set
• The storyboard also provides a useful basis when shooting to guide the camera man and actors around the set, helping them know where to stand to avoid colliding with the intended special effects in post-production
• It can also help with post-production for the editor to understand what feeling to give the movie and a sense of how the story is meant to fit together

P is for psycho analysis

The storyboard shows us that the film begins with a low angled wide shot of a toilet door in low key lighting.  The shot is then mixed to a low angle midshot, slowly tilting up from a mans lower body to see him clutching his hand from a low angle which makes the character seem larger and possibly more dominant. The scene then cuts to an array of possessions which the camera pans across from left to right very slowly. These possessions will reveal details about the character. It then cuts to a close up of a plug hole, down which an alarming amount of blood appears to be flowing. The man in question literally has blood on his hands, a clear metaphor for some form of attack having just taken place. Cutting to a close up of his hands, we see he is bandaging them up. It then cuts to the reflection of his hand, clenching into a fist in the mirror, giving a clear sense of aggression and strength. The camera pulls out and tilts up to show his face turning suddenly to the left of the frame as a sound effect of the door opening is heard. The shot is cut to a midshot of a boy entering, walking from right to left. Cut back to who the audience can only assume is the killer, mid shot. He tucks his gun into his belt and the shot cuts to an extreme close up. This shows the emotion in his eyes deep in shadow to present his dark feelings. We hear him say "bad move kid" as the scene fades to black. After a pause, still in darkness, we hear 2 gunshots.

The narrative flow of this sequence is established first of all by the shot of the toilet door. This sets the scene and the audience knows where they are without having to have dialogue to spell it out for them. After that, the use of interesting transitions and varied shot types keep the viewer interested as they get more and more detail from every shot. The tension is created through slow pans, low key lighting and the fact that allot of information is still being with held. The final few shots are made more dramatic by speeding up the motions and hiding what truly happens.

Although i love this sequence and the way in which the tension is built and emotions change, i would add a few things if i were to direct it. First of all i think the shots are too focus on the subject, only looking away once to see his possession's and another time to see blood going down the drain. I think more suspense would be created by looking at the surroundings, such as blood patterns on the floor left by his hand as he entered the room.