Video & Sound Production / project 2

22/4/2026 - 18/7/2026/ Week 1 - Week 7

GUAN YAXIN / 0370687

Information Design / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media

LECTURES&PROCESS

week 6

Storyboard

What is a Storyboard

A storyboard is a visual planning tool that looks similar to a comic strip. It uses a sequence of images to preview scenes, shots, and the flow of a film, animation, or video before production begins.

It helps creators: 

Visualize shots/Plan storytelling flow/Organize visual narratives

Purpose of a Storyboard

The article emphasizes the importance of storyboards during pre-production. Storyboards help:

Directors communicate ideas/Cinematographers understand shots/Production teams collaborate effectively/Identify problems before filming/Save time and production costs

What a Storyboard Usually Includes

Common storyboard elements include:

Shot numbers/Camera angles/Character movements/Dialogue/Notes/Timing

Types of Storyboards

The article introduces several storyboard formats:

Traditional hand-drawn storyboard

Digital storyboard

Thumbnail storyboard

Animated storyboard / Animatic

Difference Between Storyboard and Shot List

A storyboard visually represents scenes and shots. A shot list is a written list of planned shots. Both are usually used together in film production.

Importance of Storyboarding

The article explains that storyboarding is turning abstract ideas into executable visual plans. Storyboards improve communication and production efficiency. 

Storyboard Creation Process

Step 1: Read the Script

Understand:

Scenes

Characters

Emotions

Actions

Step 2: Break the Scene into Shots

Divide scenes into different shot types, such as:

Wide shot

Medium shot

Close-up

Step 3: Draw the Frames

The article explains that drawings do not need to be highly detailed. The purpose is to:

Clearly communicate the shot

Show composition

Indicate character movement

Step 4: Add Notes

Storyboard notes may include:

Camera movement

Dialogue

Sound effects

Timing

Transitions

Use of Digital Tools

Milanote introduces digital storyboard methods such as:

Drag-and-drop image arrangement

Adding annotations

Organizing shot sequences

These tools make collaboration and editing easier.

Advantages of Storyboarding

Storyboards help filmmakers:

Plan scenes in advance

Control pacing

Reduce confusion during filming

Improve production efficiency

week 7

Stages of Film Production

Pre-production

Pre-production is the planning stage of filmmaking. It happens before filming begins and focuses on organizing everything needed for the shoot.

Key activities include:

Writing and finalizing the script

Budgeting

Casting actors

Hiring crew members

Location scouting

Creating storyboards and shot lists

Scheduling the shoot

 Production

Production is the stage where the actual filming takes place.

During this phase:

Actors perform scenes

Cameras record footage

Directors guide performances

Cinematographers manage lighting and camera work

Sound is recorded on set

This stage often involves the most physical, technical, and logistical challenges because many departments must work together under time constraints.

Post-production

Post-production happens after filming is completed.

Main tasks include:

Video editing

Sound editing

Music and sound design

Visual effects (VFX)

Color correction and color grading

Final exporting

Editors assemble all footage into a complete and polished final film.

The Roles of the Production Team

Teamwork is very important in film production, and different production team members have different responsibilities. It emphasizes that film production is a cooperative process, and each staff member contributes professional skills to successfully complete the project.

Director

The director is responsible for the creative vision of the film. Their duties include:

Guiding actors’ performances

Planning scenes and camera blocking

Working closely with cinematographers and editors

Making creative decisions throughout production

The director ensures that the story is visually and emotionally communicated to the audience.

Producer

The producer manages the business and organizational side of the production. Responsibilities include:

Securing funding

Managing budgets

Hiring cast and crew

Scheduling production

Overseeing logistics

The producer helps ensure the production runs smoothly and stays within budget.

Cinematographer / Director of Photography (DP)

The cinematographer controls the visual style of the film through:

Camera work

Lighting

Shot composition

Lens choices

They work with the director to achieve the desired visual aesthetic.

Editor

The editor assembles recorded footage into a complete story by:

Cutting scenes

Organizing pacing

Enhancing narrative flow

Adding transitions

Editing is essential for shaping the final emotional and storytelling experience.

Sound Designer

The sound designer handles:

Dialogue editing

Sound effects

Music integration

Audio atmosphere

Good sound design improves realism and emotional impact.

Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions

The film crew has different hierarchical systems, and many positions in film production also have different responsibilities. Generally, large-scale production requires many specialized departments to work together.

Production Department

This department manages organization and logistics.

Important roles include:

Producer

Executive Producer

Line Producer

Production Assistant (PA)

Assistant Director (AD)

The Assistant Director helps manage schedules and keeps production on time.

Camera Department

The camera department handles filming and image capture.

Key roles:

Director of Photography (DP)

Camera Operator

1st Assistant Camera (Focus Puller)

2nd Assistant Camera

The DP oversees lighting and camera techniques to support the director’s vision.

Grip and Lighting Department

This department supports lighting setups and camera rigs.

Roles include:

Gaffer

Key Grip

Electricians

Dolly Grip

They help create the film’s visual atmosphere and ensure technical safety.

Art Department

The art department designs the visual environment of the film.

Key roles:

Production Designer

Art Director

Set Decorator

Prop Master

They are responsible for sets, props, decorations, and overall visual style.

Costume, Hair, and Makeup

These departments help create character appearance and continuity.

Roles include:

Costume Designer

Makeup Artist

Hair Stylist

They ensure characters visually match the story and maintain consistency between scenes.

Post-production Department

This department completes the film after shooting.

Important roles:

Editor

Sound Designer

Colorist

Composer

They refine the final visual and audio presentation of the film.

week 5

Definition of Mise-en-Scène

Mise-en-scène is a French term meaning “placing on stage.” In film, it refers to everything that appears within the frame and how these visual elements are arranged to communicate meaning, mood, and story. It is one of the most important tools filmmakers use to influence how audiences understand a scene.

Setting and Production Design

The setting refers to the physical environment where the story takes place.

This includes:

Locations

Sets

Architecture

Decorations

Background details

A setting can:

Establish the time period

Create atmosphere

Reflect a character’s personality

Support the film’s themes

For example, a dark and abandoned house may suggest danger, isolation, or mystery.

Costume and Makeup

Costumes and makeup help define characters and provide visual information about them.

They can reveal:

Personality

Occupation

Social status

Emotional state

Character development

For example:

Bright colors may suggest optimism.

Dark clothing may suggest conflict, mystery, or sadness.

Lighting

Lighting is one of the most powerful elements of mise-en-scène because it controls what the audience sees and feels.

Lighting can:

Create mood

Direct attention

Suggest power relationships

Build tension

Examples:

High-key lighting creates a bright and cheerful atmosphere.

Low-key lighting creates strong shadows and a dramatic or mysterious mood.

Staging and Performance

This refers to how actors move and behave within a scene.

It includes:

Facial expressions

Body language

Movement

Positioning within the frame

Actors’ performances help communicate emotions, relationships, and character intentions.

Composition

Composition is the arrangement of visual elements within the frame.

It involves:

Framing

Balance

Symmetry

Camera angles

Depth

Good composition helps guide the audience’s attention and strengthens visual storytelling.

Color

Color plays a significant role in creating mood and meaning.

Different colors can symbolize different emotions:

Red → passion, danger, anger

Blue → calmness, sadness

Yellow → happiness, energy

Green → nature, growth, jealousy

Filmmakers often use color palettes to create visual consistency and reinforce themes.

Importance of Mise-en-Scène Matters

Through the careful use of:

Setting

Costume

Makeup

Lighting

Performance

Composition

Color

filmmakers can communicate information, emotions, themes, and character relationships more effectively.

INTRODUCTION

Week 6

Exercise 1 : Audio Dubbing

Quiz: https://forms.gle/MVvrEsqA1QLyWBaV8

Week 7

Quiz: https://forms.gle/WP4prvj3jhms5seRA

FEEDBACK

WEEK 6

General Feedback : Mr.kannan introduced the course to us and taught us how to do some basic operations in pr.

Specific Feedback : no

WEEK 7

General Feedback : This week, our teacher explained the relevant knowledge about the frame and storyboard in detail, and let the students deepen their understanding of the concepts such as lens category and camera angle through practical operation, and also let us know the basic logic of the three-act structure in advance.

Specific Feedback : no

WEEK 8

General Feedback : no

Specific Feedback : no

REFLECTION

Experience

Observation

Findings