Filmmaking Basics/Thumbnail Storyboard

This school is:: Wikiversity Film School - Narrative film production

This course is:: The basics of narrative filmmaking
This lesson is:: Creating the thumbnail storyboards
The pages of this lesson are:

Introduction - Creating the thumbnail storyboards

If you have problems:

Things to worry about! ("Crossing the line.")

More things to worry about! (Eyeballs & cameras)

Storyboard worksheet (pdf) • Storyboard worksheet larger (pdf) • Story • Script Outline • Sample storyboard frames • Formatted script • Floor plan.

Thumbnail Storyboarding

only 15 minutes

Excellent!

Note the excellent position of the head. The head is not
in the center of the picture. The image is framed
as if it is a motion picture, not a portrait. This is excellent.

Thumbnail storyboards

Storyboards are important

In this lesson, you download a storyboard sheet and create very simple storyboards called "Thumbnail Storyboards".

In the next lesson, you create 3D storyboards using the free demo version of FrameForge Studio 3D.

Later, you turn your storyboards into a movie called an "animatic".

Keep it simple: You should be able to rough out these thumbnail storyboards in about 15 minutes.

Your goal: The only reason you are creating the thumbnail storyboards is to get ready to create the 3D storyboards. You do not have to impress me with your artwork. Only the size and position of the head plus the direction of the eyes is important.

Note:
If you spend more than 15 minutes, you are trying too hard.

More details

The theory of thumbnail storyboarding

If you would like to know more about storyboarding, I have created more detailed instructions for you.

Most people do not need any instructions. Go for it!

Download!!!

The storyboards sheets

Storyboarding is much easier if you use a storyboard sheet. I have created two sheets for you.

The smaller frames are perfect for drawing quick thumbnails. The frames are a perfect size.

Kids ages 6 to 10 will prefer the large frames. The larger frames gives them more room to draw.

Download: Download and print the pdf storyboard file.

The direction of the eyes: Draw what you think the scene should look like.

The most important thing is the position of the head and the direction the eyes are pointing.

Sample Storyboard

Storyboard Sheet

Storyboard sheet with SMALL frames
Everything on one page

Click here to download. (68k)
Most people prefer this sheet.

Alternative (two pages)

Storyboard sheets with BIG frames
Two pages

Click here to download. (50k)
Use other sheet if possible.

Extra Frames

Storyboard sheets with Extra frames
One page

Click here to download (4k)
or click on picture to get PNG file.
Use other sheet if possible.

Extra Frames

Storyboard sheets with Extra frames
One page

Click here to download (4k)
or click on picture to get PNG file.
Use when you want blank frames.

Extra Frames

Storyboard sheets with Extra frames
one page

Click here to download. (50k)
Use when you need more frames.

Example of a completed assignment

June 12, 2008 -- Rick14 created this thumbnail storyboard. It is an excellent example of what your thumbnail storyboard should look like. Nothing fancy but a clear vision of the location of the actors and the direction of their eyes.

Click on the image to see larger version.

Another example of a completed assignment

June 17, 2008 -- Digitaldave80 created this thumbnail storyboard. It is an excellent example of what your thumbnail storyboard should look like. Nothing fancy but a clear vision of the location of the actors and the direction of their eyes.

Click on the image to see larger version.

Question

Study this storyboard carefully: Did the camera cross the line?

More Examples

This is correct thumbnail storyboards: This is examples of what your thumbnail storyboards should look like. You only want the size of the head, its location, and the direction of the eyes. That is all!!!

Correct

Incorrect

The actors should never look at the camera.

Sending me your thumbnail storyboards

If you can, scan your completed storyboard sheet (72 or 75 dpi) and email it to me at r_elliott -at- innercite.com. You will get 10 points.

If you cannot scan your completed sheet, let me know that you are finished and I will send you my mailing address. Clicking Here.

Once you have created your thumbnail storyboards, you can begin the lesson on 3D Storyboarding. You must turn your thumbnail storyboard into a real storyboard frames.

The next lesson

If you have any problems, look at the special help pages listed above. Otherwise, you are done with this lesson

Once you have created your thumbnail storyboards and hopefully sent it to me, you can begin the lesson on 3D Storyboarding.

Contact your instructor

Your instructor for this filmmaking class is Robert Elliott. You can email me by clicking here.

Completed Homework Assignments - Thumbnail Storyboarding

Thumbnail storyboards from the lesson on Thumbnail storyboarding

Click on the image to see larger version.

Kasturika has completed this assignment (pdf) (23 May 2007) Good job! 10 points

Kasturika says, "I used the Microsoft paint application.

I took a screen shot of the storyboard, converted it into bitmap image, made the frames separately and pasted them.

Then I used OpenOffice.org Draw to export the bitmap image as PDF."

Click on the image to see larger version.

Niri0n in Sweden has completed this assignment (png). Click on the image to see larger version. (23 May 2007) Good job! 10 points

Click on the image to see larger version.

Wachapon2 has completed this assignment (png). Click on the image to see larger version. (2 June 2007) Good job! 10 points

Click on the image to see larger version.

Tunderboy9 has completed this assignment. (13 July 2007) Good job! 10 points

	Click on the image to see larger version.
	Vijay Singh has completed this assignment. (17 July 2007) Good job! 10 points

This is the first storyboard which looks like a movie. The figures are positioned as in a movie. The size of the figures are as in a movie. Yet, these are still very simple thumbnail storyboards. Please look at these storyboards!!!!	Click on the image to see larger version.
	Mok has completed this assignment. (21 July 2007) Very good job! 10 points

Here is a very artistic thumbnail storyboard.	Click on the image to see larger version.
	Fred has completed this assignment. (5 August 2007) Very good job! 10 points