# Filmmaking Basics/Thumbnail Storyboard

This school is:
Wikiversity Film School - Narrative film production
This course is:
The basics of narrative filmmaking
This lesson is:
Creating the thumbnail storyboards
The pages of this lesson are:
Introduction - Creating the thumbnail storyboards
If you have problems:
Things to worry about! ("Crossing the line.")
More things to worry about! (Eyeballs & cameras) :
Thumbnail Storyboarding only 15 minutes
Excellent!
Note the excellent position of the head. The head is not in the center of the picture. The image is framed as if it is a motion picture, not a portrait. This is excellent. :
| Thumbnail storyboards Storyboards are important In this lesson, you download a storyboard sheet and create very simple storyboards called "Thumbnail Storyboards". In the next lesson, you create 3D storyboards using the free demo version of FrameForge Studio 3D. Later, you turn your storyboards into a movie called an "animatic". Keep it simple You should be able to rough out these thumbnail storyboards in about 15 minutes. Your goal The only reason you are creating the thumbnail storyboards is to get ready to create the 3D storyboards. You do not have to impress me with your artwork. Only the size and position of the head plus the direction of the eyes is important. Note: If you spend more than 15 minutes, you are trying too hard. | More details The theory of thumbnail storyboarding If you would like to know more about storyboarding, I have created more detailed instructions for you. Most people do not need any instructions. Go for it! |
| Download!!! The storyboards sheets Storyboarding is much easier if you use a storyboard sheet. I have created two sheets for you. The smaller frames are perfect for drawing quick thumbnails. The frames are a perfect size. Kids ages 6 to 10 will prefer the large frames. The larger frames gives them more room to draw. Download Download and print the pdf storyboard file. The direction of the eyes Draw what you think the scene should look like. The most important thing is the position of the head and the direction the eyes are pointing. | Sample Storyboard |
| Storyboard Sheet Storyboard sheet with SMALL frames Everything on one page Click here to download. (68k) Most people prefer this sheet. | Alternative (two pages) Storyboard sheets with BIG frames Two pages Click here to download. (50k) Use other sheet if possible. |
| Extra Frames Storyboard sheets with Extra frames One page Click here to download (4k) or click on picture to get PNG file. Use other sheet if possible. | Extra Frames Storyboard sheets with Extra frames One page Click here to download (4k) or click on picture to get PNG file. Use when you want blank frames. | Extra Frames Storyboard sheets with Extra frames one page Click here to download. (50k) Use when you need more frames. |
Example of a completed assignment
June 12, 2008 -- Rick14 created this thumbnail storyboard. It is an excellent example of what your thumbnail storyboard should look like. Nothing fancy but a clear vision of the location of the actors and the direction of their eyes.
Click on the image to see larger version. :
Another example of a completed assignment
June 17, 2008 -- Digitaldave80 created this thumbnail storyboard. It is an excellent example of what your thumbnail storyboard should look like. Nothing fancy but a clear vision of the location of the actors and the direction of their eyes.
Click on the image to see larger version.
Question
Study this storyboard carefully
Did the camera cross the line? :
* The next lesson
* If you have any problems, look at the special help pages listed above. Otherwise, you are done with this lesson
* Once you have created your thumbnail storyboards and hopefully sent it to me, you can begin the lesson on 3D Storyboarding.
* Contact your instructor
* Your instructor for this filmmaking class is Robert Elliott. You can email me by clicking here.
Completed Homework Assignments - Thumbnail Storyboarding
Thumbnail storyboards from the lesson on Thumbnail storyboarding
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Kasturika has completed this assignment (pdf) (23 May 2007) Good job! 10 points
Kasturika says, "I used the Microsoft paint application.
I took a screen shot of the storyboard, converted it into bitmap image, made the frames separately and pasted them.
Then I used OpenOffice.org Draw to export the bitmap image as PDF."
Click on the image to see larger version.
Niri0n in Sweden has completed this assignment (png). Click on the image to see larger version. (23 May 2007) Good job! 10 points
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Wachapon2 has completed this assignment (png). Click on the image to see larger version. (2 June 2007) Good job! 10 points
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Tunderboy9 has completed this assignment. (13 July 2007) Good job! 10 points
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Vijay Singh has completed this assignment. (17 July 2007) Good job! 10 points
This is the first storyboard which looks like a movie. The figures are positioned as in a movie. The size of the figures are as in a movie. Yet, these are still very simple thumbnail storyboards. Please look at these storyboards!!!!
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Mok has completed this assignment. (21 July 2007) Very good job! 10 points
Here is a very artistic thumbnail storyboard.
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Fred has completed this assignment. (5 August 2007) Very good job! 10 points
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Mpftmead has completed this assignment (png). Click on the image to see larger version. (6 August 2007) 10 points
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Izwah has completed this assignment. (6 August 2007) 10 points
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Refardeon has completed this assignment (png). Click on the image to see larger version. (13 August 2007) 10 points
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Noblerinthemind has completed this assignment using GIMP (png). Click on the image to see larger version. (16 August 2007) 10 points
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KinnetiK has completed this assignment (JPG). Click on the image to see larger version. (23 August 2007) 10 points
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Sushant has completed this assignment (JPG). Click on the image to see larger version. (01 September 2007) 10 points
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Tharun Bhascker has completed this assignment (JPG). Click on the image to see larger version. (5 September 2007) 10 points
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Moraistelmo has completed this assignment (JPG). Click on the image to see larger version. (7 September 2007) 10 points
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Elisia Johnson has completed this assignment (PNG). Click on the image to see larger version. (01 October 2007) 10 points
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Sibte Hassan has completed this assignment. (6 October 2007) 10 points
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Mattjames17 has completed this assignment. (30 October 2007) 10 points
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Cristiana has completed this assignment. (08 November 2007) 10 points
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William Lewis has completed this assignment. (13 November 2007) 10 points
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Manuelciosici has completed this assignment. (05 December 2007) 10 points
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Pruthvirajg has completed this assignment. (10 December 2007) 10 points
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Davidmp4 has completed this assignment. (21 December 2007) 7 points
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Alideniz has completed this assignment. (01 January 2008) 10 points
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Sereyaco has completed this assignment. (03 January 2008) 10 points
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Marcus Mac has completed this assignment. (28 January 2008) 10 points
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Mike305 has completed this assignment. (01 March 2008) 10 points
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Vikram_Acharya has completed this assignment. (30 March 2008) 10 points
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Eldorino has completed this assignment. (05 April 2008) 10 points :
Completed assignment - Creating the thumbnail storyboard
June 12, 2008 -- Rick14 has created a thumbnail storyboard.
Click on the image to see larger version. :
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