Here’s an explanation of these filmmaking and video shooting terms, along with when to use them:
--- Camera Shots
1. [ESTABLISH]:
- Purpose: Shows the location or setting where the scene takes place.
- When to Use: At the beginning of a scene to give viewers context. Examples include a skyline for a city or an exterior of a building.
2. [LONG]:
- Purpose: Captures both the subject (model) and the location.
- When to Use: To establish the relationship between the subject and their environment. Commonly used in action scenes or wide-open spaces.
3. [FULL]:
- Purpose: Shows the subject's entire body from head to toe.
- When to Use: To display body language or full movements, such as walking or dancing.
4. [MID]:
- Purpose: Focuses on the subject from the waist up.
- When to Use: For dialogue scenes or when the subject’s upper-body actions are important.
5. [CLOSEUP]:
- Purpose: Focuses tightly on the subject’s face or an object.
- When to Use: To capture emotions or highlight important details, like a significant object.
6. [EXTREME CU]:
- Purpose: Focuses on a very small detail, such as an eye, hand, or texture.
- When to Use: To emphasize intense emotions or crucial narrative details.
7. [INT.]:
- Purpose: Denotes that the scene is filmed indoors.
- When to Use: Use in scripts to specify interior locations, like a house or office.
8. [EXT.]:
- Purpose: Denotes that the scene is filmed outdoors.
- When to Use: Use in scripts to specify exterior locations, like streets or forests.
9. [DAY.]:
- Purpose: Specifies that the scene occurs during the daytime.
- When to Use: In script breakdowns to indicate lighting requirements.
10. [NIGHT.]:
- Purpose: Specifies that the scene occurs at night.
- When to Use: For planning nighttime shoots, requiring different lighting setups.
--- Camera Angles
1. {Eye}:
- Purpose: Camera is at the subject's eye level.
- When to Use: To create a neutral perspective, making the audience feel on the same level as the subject.
2. {Low}:
- Purpose: Camera is angled upward towards the subject.
- When to Use: To make the subject appear powerful, intimidating, or heroic.
3. {High}:
- Purpose: Camera is angled downward towards the subject.
- When to Use: To make the subject appear smaller, weaker, or vulnerable.
4. {Overhead}:
- Purpose: A bird’s-eye view looking directly down.
- When to Use: To give a unique or godlike perspective, often for dramatic or logistical purposes.
5. {Undershot}:
- Purpose: A worm’s-eye view looking straight up.
- When to Use: To create a sense of grandeur or intimidation, or to emphasize tall structures.
6. {Drone}:
- Purpose: Captures high-angle shots using a drone.
- When to Use: For sweeping landscapes, aerial views, or dynamic tracking shots.
--- Camera Movements
1. ><Pan:
- Purpose: Moves the camera left or right on a fixed axis.
- When to Use: To follow a moving subject or scan a scene horizontally.
2. <T^>:
- Purpose: Tilts the camera up or down on a fixed axis.
- When to Use: To reveal vertical details, like a towering building or someone falling.
3. >Track>:
- Purpose: Camera follows the subject’s movement.
- When to Use: For chase scenes or to immerse the viewer in the action.
4. >>Dolly<<:
- Purpose: Camera moves closer to or further from the subject using a dolly track.
- When to Use: For smooth zooming effects or dramatic reveals.
5. >IN<:
- Purpose: Zooms in on the subject or object.
- When to Use: To focus attention on details or expressions.
6. <OUT>:
- Purpose: Zooms out from the subject or object.
- When to Use: To show more of the scene or reveal context.
7. <POV>:
- Purpose: Simulates the subject’s point of view.
- When to Use: To let the audience see through the character’s eyes.
8. <OS>:
- Purpose: Frames the subject from over another person’s shoulder.
- When to Use: Common in conversations to establish dialogue perspectives.
9. <OH>:
- Purpose: Frames the subject from over the top of another person's head.
- When to Use: Adds depth or a unique angle to interview shots.
10. <F2F>:
- Purpose: Frames two subjects face-to-face.
- When to Use: For confrontational or intimate scenes.
---
What's included in a storyboard?
---
A storyboard is a visual representation of a narrative, often used in film, animation, advertising, and other creative projects. The elements of a storyboard typically include both visual and textual details. Here's a comprehensive list of storyboard elements:
Visual Elements
1. Frames/Panels
- Each frame represents a single scene or shot.
- Frames are organized in sequence to outline the story.
2. Illustrations/Sketches
- Rough or detailed drawings that depict the key visual aspects of each scene, including characters, environments, and actions.
3. Characters
- Representations of the people, animals, or entities involved in the scene.
4. Setting/Backgrounds
- Illustrations or descriptions of the environment or location where the scene takes place.
5. Composition and Framing
- Camera angles (e.g., close-up, medium shot, wide shot).
- Placement of elements within the frame (rule of thirds, balance).
6. Camera Movements
- Indications of pan, tilt, zoom, dolly, or other camera motions.
7. Lighting and Mood
- Visual or textual representation of the lighting setup, shadows, and atmosphere.
8. Action Arrows
- Arrows to indicate movement, direction, or focus within a scene.
9. Special Effects (FX)
- Notes or sketches of visual effects like explosions, weather, or other enhancements.
10. Transitions
- Visual cues for scene changes (e.g., fade-in, fade-out, cut, dissolve).
Textual Elements
1. Scene/Shot Numbers
- A unique identifier for each frame or scene for organizational purposes.
2. Dialogue
- Text or speech bubbles to indicate what characters are saying.
3. Narration/Voiceover (VO)
- Indications of off-screen narration or commentary.
4. Action Descriptions
- Brief notes on what happens in the scene, often describing character movements or interactions.
5. Camera Directions
- Written instructions for camera angles, movements, or focus.
6. Sound Effects (SFX)
- Notes on auditory elements like footsteps, doors creaking, or explosions.
7. Music
- Indications of background music or thematic sounds.
8. Timing and Duration
- Notes on how long each scene or shot should last.
9. Annotations/Notes
- Additional comments or reminders for the production team.
Organizational Elements
1. Title/Header
- The name or identifier for the project, sequence, or storyboard.
2. Page Numbers
- Ensures proper sequencing of multiple pages of a storyboard.
3. Legend or Key
- An explanation of symbols, abbreviations, or conventions used in the storyboard.
4. Credits
- Names of the storyboard artist, director, or others involved.
5. References/Inspiration
- Visual or textual notes about sources of inspiration or required style.
These elements work together to create a cohesive plan that communicates the visual and narrative flow of a project to all involved.
---
Example: Storyboard for Bodia.com.kh Ad Commercial: Body Lotion - Rice & Lotus
---
Storyboard for Bodia.com.kh Ad Commercial: Body Lotion - Rice & Lotus
Scene 1: The Essence of Rice (Duration: 5 seconds)
Action Descriptions
Rice grains cascade in slow motion against a serene golden backdrop, highlighting their purity and texture.
Visual: Main Object & Visual Elements & Setting/Backgrounds
Main Object: Rice grains.
Background: Ethereal golden paddy field, slightly blurred for a dreamy effect.
Camera Directions
Camera Shot: Close-up.
Camera Angle: High angle.
Camera Movement: Slow zoom-in to emphasize texture and motion.
Lighting and Mood
Warm and soft with golden tones to evoke purity and natural warmth.
Audio: Dialogue/Narration/Voiceover (VO)
"Bodia brings you the essence of nature..."
Background Audio
Gentle rustling of rice grains and serene instrumental music.
Transition
Fade to the next scene.
Text on Screen
"Pure Rice Extract."
Annotations/Notes
Ensure the cascading rice grains appear fluid and graceful in motion.
Scene 2: Lotus Bloom (Duration: 6 seconds)
Action Descriptions
A lotus flower slowly unfurls its petals in a tranquil pond at sunrise, symbolizing elegance and purity.
Visual: Main Object & Visual Elements & Setting/Backgrounds
Main Object: Lotus flower.
Background: Serene pond surrounded by soft foliage, golden sunrise glow reflecting on water.
Camera Directions
Camera Shot: Wide shot, transitioning to a medium shot as the lotus blooms.
Camera Angle: Eye level for intimacy with the flower.
Camera Movement: Slow dolly movement toward the lotus.
Lighting and Mood
Soft golden light with pastel accents for a calm and uplifting atmosphere.
Audio: Dialogue/Narration/Voiceover (VO)
"...from the purity of rice and the elegance of lotus..."
Background Audio
Subtle water ripples, light bird chirping, and soft instrumental music.
Transition
Dissolve to the next scene.
Text on Screen
"Elegant Lotus Essence."
Annotations/Notes
Highlight the lotus petals' delicate texture with light glistening effects.
Scene 3: Application & Nourishment (Duration: 8 seconds)
Action Descriptions
A young woman applies the lotion to her arm in a minimalist, natural bathroom setting. Her skin glows as she smiles contentedly.
Visual: Main Object & Visual Elements & Setting/Backgrounds
Main Object: Woman’s hand and skin.
Background: Minimalistic bathroom with wooden and white accents, a potted plant for natural ambiance.
Camera Directions
Camera Shot: Medium shot for application, transitioning to a close-up of her glowing skin.
Camera Angle: Over-the-shoulder for application, side-angle for skin close-up.
Camera Movement: Static for application; gentle tilt up to her face.
Lighting and Mood
Bright natural light streaming through a window, soft shadows for a clean and inviting feel.
Audio: Dialogue/Narration/Voiceover (VO)
"...for deeply nourished and radiant skin."
Background Audio
Subtle sound of lotion being applied; soft instrumental music continues.
Transition
Wipe transition to the next scene.
Text on Screen
"Nourished & Radiant Skin."
Annotations/Notes
Ensure the lotion appears creamy and luxurious when applied.
Scene 4: Product Showcase (Duration: 7 seconds)
Action Descriptions
The lotion bottle is displayed elegantly on a shelf surrounded by rice grains and lotus petals. The camera zooms in, highlighting the product details.
Visual: Main Object & Visual Elements & Setting/Backgrounds
Main Object: Bodia Body Lotion bottle.
Background: Wooden shelf with soft rice and lotus accents, blurred to emphasize the product.
Camera Directions
Camera Shot: Static shot, transitioning to a slow zoom-in.
Camera Angle: Straight-on.
Camera Movement: Gradual zoom toward the product.
Lighting and Mood
Bright and clean with a soft shimmer on the lotion bottle for emphasis.
Audio: Dialogue/Narration/Voiceover (VO)
"Bodia. Nature's care, your beauty."
Background Audio
Light, uplifting instrumental music.
Transition
Fade to white.
Text on Screen
"Bodia.com.kh."
Annotations/Notes
Ensure the product label is clearly readable with a gentle glow effect.
Scene 5: Closing Frame (Duration: 3 seconds)
Action Descriptions
The Bodia logo and tagline appear on a clean white background, surrounded by faint rice and lotus motifs.
Visual: Main Object & Visual Elements & Setting/Backgrounds
Main Object: Bodia logo and tagline: "Natural. Pure. You."
Background: Clean white with minimal design accents (rice and lotus motifs).
Camera Directions
Camera Shot: Static shot.
Camera Angle: Straight-on.
Camera Movement: None.
Lighting and Mood
Crisp and clean with subtle shadows for dimension.
Audio: Dialogue/Narration/Voiceover (VO)
None.
Background Audio
Gentle chime fading out.
Transition
None.
Text on Screen
"Bodia Body Lotion - Rice & Lotus."
Annotations/Notes
Use a soft, inviting font for the tagline and ensure all text is centered.
---
Example of Storyboard
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