So this came up in the end of the other thread about writing visually.

Of course we will storyboard Finders Keepers. I just said I can't draw. Balt suggested Toon Boom Storyboard which I got...and messed with today for hours!  

Anyway, what I realized when I started doing this is that it makes you look at the script completely differently.  When I write, I think I see the whole story go by in my head, but when I have to try to make real pictures out of the story I noticed some things might not work.

It's been a real eye opener actually. Do any of you guys/gals ever do this? If not, I highly recommend that you try it. I think you might actually learn a lot from it as a writer.

Cheers! I'm heading home for a beer now!  

Maybe as requirement of the next OWC (not the 3WC!) include a storyboard; allow another week: 2 weeks, 8 pages + storyboard.

This youtube tutorial is a decent begining.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcXfgBLRv_E&feature=related

We'll be expecting one of these from Balt shortly: The Rogue Storyboard.

You don't really need to storyboard if you are using DV.  A shot list will do.  And if you really want to visualise your production use something like Moviestorm  as a moving storyboard.  It pretty easy to use if you just care about blocking and shots.

I did it once, just as an exercise.  When I use to write for the comic book companies, that's how I wrote the scripts before I types them up.

I just used stick figures with very simple facial expressions.


Phil

I know I don't have to. Just think all screenwriters should try it. Gives you a much better idea of how a producer/director might see the script.

Opened my eyes for sure.  

I'm a Disneyphile. Especially old school stuff from the 9 Old Men era. What I learned from watching all of the behind the scenes "making of" documentaries was that while most of the guys could pull off basically any kind of drawing, there were nonetheless background artists, color experts, pre-vis artists, minor and major character animators, fx people etc. In other words, the process was split up in a way that each individual artist was given the job he/she was most qualified for.

That's why those films are so magical. You're not getting one opinion or perspective, you're getting many. It's an almost overwhelming plethora of talent. The animators, directors, voice actors, composers, editors, cameramen -- top notch people all around, each one an integral part of the well-oiled Disney machine.

I'm saying this because as tempting as it is to have creative control over your project, it may be a better idea to find someone who is more qualified. I can't draw either. If I attempted to storyboard the script I'm working on, the results would be boring and mediocre at best. It's worth hiring talented people to do the jobs you know you can't do. Same goes for music, camera/lighting, editing, etc. If you are the director or producer, you have an overall vision in your head that you want to see materialized but that's different than taking each individual task on your own shoulders.