This document provides guidance and templates for planning the visual elements of a short film production. It includes sections for pre-visualization and concept boards, a structural breakdown of the story into scenes and shots, storyboarding, master frames, and a shot list. The document instructs the filmmaker to complete these sections to plan the look, feel, and sequencing of shots for the visuals and filming of the short film.
2. Guidance
• This template PowerPoint presentation includes all the relevant
elements you need to cover your film production.
• It is suggested you save this PP in a different name so you always
have a copy – some sections require you to delete the information on
the slide and replace with your own work
• Add more pages to each section where necessary [you should be
doing this!]
• Add visuals as you see necessary
• This document will be added to as you progress through the pre-
production phase.
4. Pre-Production: Visual Planning
• This section is concerned with the visual planning of your film
• You should use this section to develop the sequencing or your video,
establish the visuals look and sequencing of your film and create a
structure for you to follow when filming
• It is important that you ‘pre-visualise’ the film before you make it; it
will make filming and production a more streamlined process
• The following tasks are part of your visual planning
• Pre-visualisation and concept boards
• Storyboarding
• Shot list
5. Pre-visualisation/Concept Boards
• Tool for exploring the direction and visuals
• Provides inspiration and information for the “look & feel”
• Presents key moments in your video
• A means to sketch/plan ideas
• Information on colour/lighting
• Defining the “mise-en-scene”
• Include as much here as you like, but keep it relevant to the
production, the following slides have been left blank for you to
approach in your own way, add more as you need to
• Suggestion: include your edited short sequence of clips that have
inspired or influenced your video [similar to this:
http://io9.com/5941145/this-directors-video-pitch-for-hunger-
games-might-be-better-than-the-real-movie]
10. Structural breakdown
• Breakdown your film into it’s basic sections [e.g. via scene
breakdown or similar] and apply broad visual ideas to each section.
You should list the shots required
• You can use this as the master template for your production, then
add more shots to each section when you develop your full visual
plan
• There is a template for this so you can break down the film into
scenes and then the scenes into shots.
• From this you could work on a conventional script if you want, but
using the scene breakdowns should be enough
11. Structural breakdown
The video starts with my lead character at work
developing the virus.
The boss arrives and details the plans for the virus to
the technician (and the audience). He then walks off to
leave the technician to upload the virus.
The technician then attempts to send the virus.
However, after several failed attempts, he is
immediately absorbed into the computer.
12. Structural breakdown
After awakening inside the computer, the technician
starts to explore the labyrinth of the computer.
While exploring, the virus he created jumps the
technician. He immediately realizes both the error of
his ways and the danger he is in.
The virus then immediately starts to chase the
technician through the computer. This chase is stop-
start with the technician managing to successfully lose
it only to find it again moments later.
13. Structural breakdown
Upon finding a way out of the computer, the virus
continues to chase him. Soon after finally getting back
on the right track the virus comes in contact with his
legs, causing them to disappear. He scrambles for the
exit as the virus eats away at him.
After slowly and painfully crawling to the exit, he
makes it just before the virus stops his heart and is
transported back to the office completely intact.
After the relief of freedom, the technician immediately
proceeds to run an antivirus scanner to destroy the
virus.
14. Structural breakdown
With his job done, the technician resigns and leaves
the building seemingly as a new man.
Shortly after leaving, he stops and immediately
proceeds to sneeze.
In the handkerchief, he sees brief bursts of light and
realizes the virus managed to multiply inside of him.
The film ends immediately for the audience to draw
their own conclusions.
15. Storyboarding
• Your storyboard should bring your idea to life
• Provide an idea of the sequencing of you film
• Provides a basis for production
• Suggested online storyboard creators are:
• https://www.storyboardthat.com
• http://www.pixton.com [very complicated]
• http://www.storyjumper.com [allows you to insert your own images]
• Alternatively, hand draw or photograph your storyboard and scan or
copy to insert it onto your slides
• There are lots of tips collected together on Blackboard!
25. Master frames
• A master frame is a version of a frame from your storyboard, but with
a more detail
• You could use photos and software to create a series of images from
your intended production [at least 4]
• This would work well as preparation for framing your shots on
location and filming
• Try to give an impression or idea about the final look of the video, so
think about post-production effects, etc
30. Shot List
• Your shot list should contain the sequential breakdown of what you
need to shoot for your film
• It should work in partnership with your storyboard
• It will be your working document when you film
• It should contain the shot number, scene number, shot description,
framing, cast/location info and action you will see
• It should also have information on performers in the scene and other
props, etc
• Shot list template is on Blackboard in the pre-production folder.
![Guidance
• This template PowerPoint presentation includes all the relevant
elements you need to cover your film production.
• It is suggested you save this PP in a different name so you always
have a copy – some sections require you to delete the information on
the slide and replace with your own work
• Add more pages to each section where necessary [you should be
doing this!]
• Add visuals as you see necessary
• This document will be added to as you progress through the pre-
production phase.](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)