7.4 STORYBOARDS 128 What does the abbreviation prop stand for? WHAT IS A STORYBOARD? Storyboards are a series of drawings that serve as a visual tool for outlining a project s story, usually a video. They use static frames (or panels) to bring the script to life, serving as a visual and verbal guide for creating the final product. They also include important production details, working as a roadmap for understanding what shots a director might use, how and where actors and key objects will be placed, what action will take place, and what the tone, lighting, special effects, and dialogue will be. Why is storyboarding useful? The main benefits of storyboarding include: clarifying the narrative vision, in other words translating the abstract elements of a project or script into concrete images; optimising resources, helping to identify specific needs for sets, costumes, and props ; frame: fotogramma prop: oggetto di scena rendered: elaborato rehearsal: prova roadmap: tabella di marcia script: sceneggiatura shot: inquadratura anticipating potential technical and creative challenges and errors: by visualising scenes in advance, a storyboard gives the chance to think of a solution before possible mistakes or problems occur; establishing a precise timeline for each shooting day, including precise times for rehearsals, 288 PeoPle and inStruMentS breaks, and set changes. In fact, by visualising the sequence of scenes in advance, it is easier to schedule scenes based on the availability of actors and locations, plan specific requirements for each scene such as special effects or lighting change, and optimise the order of shots; unifying visual style, colour tones, and lighting, helping to create a uniform and immersive final product for the viewer. Types of storyboards The main goal of a storyboard is the same, but there are different types of storyboards that may be used depending on the production. They are: continuity boards, which are the most common types of storyboards. They map out the main parts of a scene, including characters, poses, and emotions and are often used for animated movies, TV shows, and video games as a direct guide for the final product; beatboards or shooting boards , which are used to map out key moments in a scene, primarily for liveaction scenes where actors have their own interpretation of the character; pitch boards, which are often used in advertising, and which are typically more rendered and may include colour.