StoryboardsBy Kiranjit Khera

A storyboard gives a visual and technical detail. It is used for planning and as a guide to production.

Reverse Storyboarding

 

Reverse storyboarding is a technique for studying how a film, animation, or video was constructed by the film-makers.  You start with the completed film/animation/video.  Then, shot by shot, you sketch storyboard panels to illustrate and analyze what is happening in each shot.

As you sketch your panels, do not attempt to make detailed drawings.  The idea is that you are studying, making notes to yourself, rather than trying to make detailed pictures.  Make use of icons and verbal explanations to the extent these may be useful.

As you reverse-storyboard, pay attention to exactly what the camera sees – camera angle, events, colour if significant, cropping, etc.   Also, make note of transitions – cross-dissolve, cut, fade-to-black, etc.   Also, make verbal notations of significant sound – sound effects, dialogue, music, etc.

This technique is most useful if you are very, very specific and really do a shot-by-shot analysis.  The idea is not to simply convey the story, but to convey exactly what the viewer sees and hears, for it is these details that convey the story.

The Cube Storyboard

5 seconds

1

Extreme close up

Zooming in closer

Whisper The Cube

Dramatic music played in background for the theme song

3 Seconds

2

Extreme long shot

Zooming in closer

Clapping and cheering by audience

Script- Host introduces the game

15 Seconds

3

Close up

Zooming in while contestant talks and out when host asks a question

Script- Host questions contestant

No sound in background while speaking

2 Seconds

4

Close up

Zooming in

Dramatic music played while game is being explained by a voice over

1 second

5

High angle shot

Camera remains still

Dramatic music is played while contestant attempts the game

3 seconds

6

Close up

Camera moves from right to left

Dramatic loud music played in background while a voiceover explains the game

1 second

7

Long shot

Zooms in

Dramatic music in background with voiceover counting down the time

1 second 8

High angle shot

Camera remains still

Dramatic music in background with voiceover explaining the game

9

Long shot

Camera pan across cube

Sound effect to represent the contestants success with audience clapping and cheering

3 seconds

3 seconds

10

Extreme long shot

Camera zooming out

Clapping and cheering from the audience

Sound effect when money won appears

The opening sequence creates meaning for the viewer by having a dramatic theme song which engages the audience and keeps them on the

edge of their seats. The title is outlined in the colour red which has connotations of danger which leaves the audience with an enigma of what challenges will take place. The colours and lighting are bright to keep the audience engaged especially in the cube where the challenges take place

to make it seem more intimidating. The set layout has a live audience which are shown and are placed around the cube. The setting is almost gladiatorial to make it seem even more intimidating for the contestant. The music is dramatic which helps create a tense atmosphere making it

more exciting for the viewers. The presenter has a serious tone and also a satirical tone to add some humour for the audience. This helps keep the audience engaged with the game show if the host is entertaining. The

sub-genre is stunt which makes it even more exciting for the audience as it involves lots of action.

The Chase Storyboard

2 seconds

1

Extreme long shot

Camera moves down to show the chaser

Dramatic music played in background while host introduces the game

5 seconds

2

Close up

Camera zooming in

Theme song played (dramatic song) while graphics are shown

Audience are clapping and cheering in the background

4 seconds

3

Long shot

Camera zooming in

Clapping and cheering from audience

Script- Host introduces contestants to the audience

4 seconds

4

Close up

Zooming in on host

Script- Host explains to the viewers how the game works

5 Seconds

5

Close up

Zooming in on contestant

Timer in the background

Script- Asking the contestant questions and the contestant answering

1 Second

6

Extreme long shot

Zooming in on the chaser

Dramatic music in background as chaser comes out

Script- Host introducing the chaser

3 seconds

7

Extreme long shot

Zooming out

Timer sound in background and host asking question along with sound effects when they answer by pressing the button

3 seconds

8

Extreme long shot

Zooming out

Sound effect in background symbolising contestants loss along with The Chase theme song

3 seconds

9

Close up

Camera remains still

Script- Host introduces next team member and this repeats for all contestants on the team

3 seconds

10

Extreme long shot

Zooming out

The Chase theme song played in background while contestants cheer

The opening sequence creates meaning for the viewer by using bright colours to stand out. The title is in bright red which has the connotation of danger and also has a black figure representing the chaser creating an enigma for the audience of who the chaser will be. The colours and lighting in the studio are quite bright to engage with the audience and go a dark red to represent the chaser. The set layout does not show any live audience on camera, however you can hear cheering and clapping in the background to make jokes more lively. The sound is dramatic to create a tense atmosphere and have the audience focused as well as engaged. The presenter is quite loud and humorous which helps make the game show more entertaining for the viewers. The sub-genre is panel game show as the contestants are in teams which can help keep the audience engaged as they are not only focusing on one person.