On-Set Production – Shot List + Storyboard Planning

01-11-2023

On Wednesday 1st November I met with our director Alfie and storyboard artist Vanessa to create a preliminary shot list and begin the storyboarding process to assist with our shoot and post-production.

Below are my initial notes for the proposed shot list. Alfie and I first tried to work through the script and visualise the shots based on the chronological progression of the script itself – but then realised we were overcomplicating it and trying to plan and visualise the timeline of the final edit. We switched our approach to focus on figuring out what shots and setups we needed to cover the scene and convey the characters and story creatively and from a visual standpoint.

Alfie and I worked collaboratively to decide upon the shots and used our respective roles to bounce ideas off each other. I focused upon what the composition/framing/lighting would communicate, whilst Alfie concentrated on the story elements we were presenting. Whilst the shot list is not the most technically detailed right now, it helps me to be able to envision what Alfie wants for the film and note down the basic features of each shot.

Above is Vanessa beginning to plan out the order of our shots. This will require another meeting or two with myself and Alfie, but upon completion will provide a great foundation and reference point on the shoot itself. The practice of trying to communicate exactly what you envision for a shot was more challenging than anticipated, but helped prompt me to clarify my own ideas and simplify my explanations to others.

Next Steps

As our final shoot is approaching, we have a couple immediate goals to meet:

• Finalise the shot list – 5th November.
  • Alfie and I couldn’t decide upon the final shot for the film in our meeting, so we agreed a date to have the decision made by. The script is still not finalised, so Alfie also has to consult with Duncan to revise the story and discuss what the ending should communicate and convey to the audience.
• Complete the storyboard – 10th November.
  • As Vanessa was brought onto our project later into the pre-production process, we’ve made adjustments based on her availability to complete the storyboard for the final shoot. We have plans to undergo a test shoot on the 11th November, so having our storyboard the day prior will aid this majorly.
• Devise a lighting plan based on the finalised shot list – ASAP.
  • Duncan was unable to attend our meeting today so Alfie, Duncan, and I will need to arrange another time to discuss the lighting plan. This will be based on our finalised shot list. Duncan, as our gaffer, will ideally create a lighting plan to reflect the discussion and streamline lighting setups on the shoot itself. I will then confirm this following a review of his lighting plan.