Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Storyboards are very important, as they form the basis of the work that is carried out on the movie, describing most of the major features as well as the plot and its development.
Animation storyboards are also the coordinating vehicle of the film, taking the place of the script, and allowing different teams of people to work on different aspects and scenes in the movie. A studio like Pixar will have thousands of storyboard frames like the one shown here.
The finished movie may not always conform to all aspects of the storyboard, but they will document many of the early developments in the movie. They are often the first step of the animation process, as they show the first views - albeit static - of the animation process.
A Camera position: Close/medium shot - fades to side view of Harry (with boys in the background). What is happening : Harry is walking towards Maguire looking scared. What is being said: The on-looking boys are chanting.
B Camera position: Close/medium shot of Mucker (with boys in the background). What is happening : He's clenching his fists looking angry. What is being said: Chanting as above.
C Camera position: Medium shot of Mucker, Harry and a group of boys. What is happening : Harry is offering to shake hands and make friends with Mucker. What is being said: Harry says "I have to warn you for your own safety, that you shouldn't start a fight with me."
D Camera position: Close/medium shot of Mucker (with boys in the background). What is happening : He's looking even more angry. What is being said: Mucker says "I'm not afraid of you, come on!"
E Camera position: Close/medium shot of Harrry (with boys in the background). What is happening : Harry has turned to look at Mucker. Boys are staring at him in shock. What is being said: Harry says "I'm giving you your last warning, Maguire, shake hands and go home."
F Camera position: Close/medium shot of Harry (with boys in the background). What is happening : Harry looks up, the boys around him do the same and their faces show shock and fear. Sound/Special effects: A rumbling noise can be heard in the background, it gets louder. Stirring music begins. The colour fades to black and white.
G Camera position: Medium/close shot showing Flash Gordontype space ship. What is happening : The space ship is slowly coming into shot. Sound/Special effects: Rumbling getting louder. The space ship appears to move across the sky. Stirring music continues. Black and white colouring.
H Camera position: Medium/close shot showing Harry and space ship with boys watching. What is happening : Harry has changed in to Mercury Man and is standing proud whilst the spaceship moves above him. Sound/Special effects: Rumbling and buzzing noises of the spaceship. Stirring music continues. Black and white colouring.
I Camera position: Close/medium shot of Harry. What is happening : Harry has turned to look at Mucker. Boys are staring at him in shock. What is being said: Harry/Mercury Man says "I tried to warn you. No-one ever messes with Mercury Man." Sound/Special effects: Rumbling/buzzing noises, music as before. Black and white colouring.
J Camera position: Close up of ship. What is happening : A laser beam comes out of the ship and 'zaps' Mucker. Sound/Special effects: Rumbling/buzzing noises as before with added crackling and a loud "zap" when the laser beam shoots out. Black and white colouring.
K Camera position: Close up on Harry/Mercury Man smiling. What is happening : Harry/Mercury Man is looking at the after effects of the Zap. Sound/Special effects: Stirring music as before.
L Camera position: High angle close up shot. What is happening : Mucker has been 'zapped' - and all that remains are Maguire's smouldering shoes. Sound/Special effects: Smoke coming out of shoes. Music becomes more triumphant. Black and white colouring.
M Camera position: Medium shot. What is happening : Harry turns and waves, triumphantly to the ship which shoots off into the distance. Sound/Special effects: 'Whooshing' of the space ship leaving. Triumphant music as before. Black and white colouring.