Notes

Visual storytelling lecture #4
Filmmaking is its own language, and we have to learns Dan become comfortable in that language, films are created with storyboards,
Webb Smith created the first storyboard, composition, staging, camera angles are all important.
Try to simplify it down to its basics. You walk into a room and the first thing you want to know is “where am I?”
5 Was of journalists: who, what when where and why?
Journalists are taught to address the fundamental questions that the reader needs to understand the story. Try and take a hint f that
Types of shots:
Long shot/establishing shot- where are we? Shows the entire subject, the big picture in geography, it’s very important, answers the quest, “where am I?” Long shot doesn’t have to be the first shot, but it does have to be included otherwise the audience will be caused and disoriented.
Medium shot- move in a bit closer, the character has become more important than the surrounding, you have a clearer view of the character’s actions, who are they and what is the story about? Clues found in costuming and background. What is the key conflict in the scene? These are the questions it answers
Close up shot- involves viewer more, tightens the focus, as sewers why do I care, why should I be emotionally involved in the story? It’s a powerful shot so use it sparingly.
Extreme close up- puts camera close to the subject and captures significant details and nuances that wouldn’t be noticed from far away. Like inner workings of clock or heighten emotion.
Others includes up shots and down shots: help make character seem small and pwoerless or make the character seem strong and intimidating
Aerial shot_ shot from high above
Dutch angle- when you tilt the camera in a way that makes it unsettling or shows mental instability.
180 degree rule- draw a line between two characters, always keep the camera on the same side of the axis
Lesson from Joe ranft- golden rule: communicate one idea at a time and stage it so that the audience can see it clearly.

Keep in mind, it’s always about the story, story drives everything.
Essence of drama is conflict, big muscle movements of story are what does my character want? What’s stopping them from getting it? Do they get what they want in the end or not?
Beginning (setup) act 1
Middle (conflict/complications) act 2
End (resolution) act 3
Remember, the main characters’ desire drives the story.
A scene is a series of beats that go back and forth with positive and negative charges. Something good happens to character(+), something bad happens to character (-)
One of Robert McKee commandment is you will never make things easy for your characters, cause it’s always part of the story.

Instruction: Storyboard a simple scene, (chosen one is my character wants to find loose change in the living room sofa or my character wants to cross a river)

Recommended books: the five C’s of cinematography, film directing shot by shot

Prague, Czech Republic, animation is such a global business you can go anywhere in the world and work for animation, bellarita cafe, what keeps you from doing it is 10,000 drawings is what you need to do, not necessarily good, make sure you get the bad ones out of the way