Storyboard

Using the character I developed earlier in the week, I created a storyboard focusing mainly on camera shots and colour to direct the viewers attention. The first panel shows a static shot from the floor of a pair of trainers stepping in as the doors slide open. The outside is brighter as the character steps into the shadowed foreground, creating mystery. I wanted to use cool tones to emphasise a change in mood later in the scene. Next the viewer is pushed back behind and above the character as the step into the store is repeated. The lighting creates dramatic shadows that hide parts of the character while other visual information is revealed. Suspense is created by prolonging the reveal of the character and the use of a high angle. The camera slides diagonally in the same direction of the breeze, pulling the viewer in the opposite direction of the doors. The third panel reveals the character and zooms into her face to focus on her flat expression and piercings. Switching view to her line of sight, the colour palette of the scene warms, emitting from a stuffed toy on the shelf and contrasting with the cool lighting of the overhead lighting. The next dynamic shot starts front he back of the characters head (with the bear still in frame) and swoops round to her changing expression. the final shot is of her eyes widening and a warmer palette.

The aim of these six panels was to set up an expectation of the character and then contrast that by introducing her motive for the end goal of the scene: shoplifting. I have learnt how to use camera angles, lighting and colour to communicate the narrative without sound of text. I feel I successfully kept the story clear by keeping the eye-line of the character in mind so the shots are laid out with a flow of front to back viewpoints. I wanted to use the movement of the camera shot and consistency in lighting to create an environment that made sense to the viewer as the character moved through.

To improve my storyboard I would use shape more purposefully. In my character design, I focused on strong angles that could have played off the box-y nature of the aisle and contrast with the soft shape of the bear. Instead of utilising that to produce compelling visuals, I feel I have lost impact as the contrast between the tomboyish rebellious character and the teddy bear is not as aesthetically strong.

I would also match the colour of the arrows to the intended captions as, in the industry, this would be intended as instructions for someone else and not notes for myself.