The Storyboard is Complete

I aimed to start working on the storyboard, another important pre-production step, after finishing our camera shot list and eventually fixing our numbering problem based on the feedback we received. The process of creating this visual framework for "Words Unspoken" has been demanding, fulfilling, and sometimes frustrating.

Given the important details and emotional significance of our story, I realized right away that a well-designed storyboard was important.  However, it turned out to be more difficult than I thought, to translate the story into a series of consecutive drawings.   Choosing the camera angles and shot composition for each scene was the most difficult thing for me. I experimented with options for hours, wondering if a certain angle actually conveyed the intended impact on emotions. 

While certain scenes seemed like they couldn't be made into visual concepts, others unfolded easily. 

I really wanted to portray Riley's emotional vulnerability in the first seconds when she writes the letter, so I thought about specific instances.   My attempt with a "tilted shot" when "MC is surprised" is seen in the storyboard. My objective was to visually convey the protagonist shock in the shot.  Also, the storyboard as a whole provided an expanded representation of Riley and Phoebe's relationship.  

Riley was always shown as trying to keep to herself, so I also wanted to make sure I could capture her body language as part of the story.  

In order to represent the flashback, we had decided on, I included the scene in which they were playing on the swings. Although there's an additional flashback I decided to draw on the storyboard in case we wanted something more symbolic, which was included before the initial flashback, where both Riley and Phoebe are on the bed playing. 

This helps create a more smoothly transition from flashback to flashback and also creates a base to go deeper into their relationship and Riley feelings. 

 

As I spent about five hours on the storyboarding process, I wanted to give up at certain points, but it was eventually worth to get over those creative blocks.   Also, I made the decision that the storyboard would mostly highlight angles rather than the plot, but as the movie goes on, the drawings become deeper. 

Now that it's finished, I'm confident the storyboard will be a huge help when we begin shooting on Sunday, the 16th. It will offer a concrete visual guide for arranging every scene and shot, stopping actors from entering the frame, and making sure the story is told in a way that fits our vision. Despite their imperfections, the sketches convey the key components of every shot: the performance, the camera movement, and the framing. Going forward, I feel a lot more prepared and confident.