GCSE Media

2. Part 3 of your mock exam is to create a
10 frame storyboard for the opening
sequence of your Sci-Fi film.
It must hook the audience from the
start and present the codes and
conventions of the genre.

3. WHY ARE STORYBOARDS USED?
 It’s the best way to share your vision!
 Makes production MUCH easier - a guide to follow.
 It will save you (the production team) a lot of time and money when
making your film/show/video etc...
WHAT DO THEY HELP PREVENT?
Wasting time and footage! - In the industry, production teams
are given limited time on a tight budget so working to a plan
helps keep everything on target.
WHO USES A STORYBOARD?
The Director, Cinematographer, Director of Photography.

4.  You MUST fill in ALL of the information required for every box
otherwise you will not gain full marks.
 Use media terminology where appropriate.
 Remember to think about the codes and conventions of the
SCI-FI genre. These need to be obvious in your 10 frame
storyboard.
 ADD COLOUR! This demonstrates creativity and may boost
your marks.
 Use a variety of shots.
 Don’t forget about mise-en scene! (You could talk about the
lighting that will be used in the scene too.)

5. SHOT NO.
Simply just include the number
of the shot. Must be in
chronological order.
(You will only be doing 1-10 in
your exam)
EDIT
 How one shot goes to
another - will you use a
straight
cut/fade/dissolve/wipe?
 Will there be any SFX
in this shot?
MAIN IMAGE
A creative, detailed image.
Can be stick men.
If using panning or tracking
then use arrows to show the
direction.
DIALOGUE-SOUND-CAM
MOVEMENT
 Describe the diegetic/non - diegetic
sound that will be used.
 What is going on in the shot?
 Describe camera movement and any
important mise-en scene (e.g.
lighting)
TIMING
How long your shot will
last.
If you’re not sure then
just give an estimate.
TYPE OF SHOT
 Can be abbreviated - e.g. you
can use CU for close-up.
 Make sure it is the same shot
that you see in the main image!

6. How to storyboard & Camera angles
Watch this short video to recap the best way to storyboard:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVXMQMUDlTs
You must use a variety of camera angles in your opening
sequence.
Some of the camera angles you could use are...
• Establishing/wide shot (You MUST use this in your storyboard - generally one of
the first frames)
• Long shot
• Close-up
• Tracking shot
• Panning shot
• High/low angle
• Point of view shot
• Extreme close-up
• Medium shot
MAKE SURE YOU
KNOW ALL OF
THESE FOR THE
EXAM!!!

7. TASK
• Draft a storyboard for the opening sequence of your film.
• Must be 10 frames long.
• Use a variety of camera angles.
• Fill in EVERY box of the storyboard - ‘Shot’, ‘Edit’, ‘Timing’,
‘Type of shot’ etc...
• Make sure that it establishes the genre and any significant
characters.
• Make your storyboard GRIP the audience. This is how the
audience will decide whether to keep watching your film or
turn it off! Including action is a good way grip.