Storytelling is interactive art of using Static character: A character who

words and actions to reveal the elements does not change during the course of a story
and images of a story while encouraging the
listener’s imagination. 3. Setting - where and when a story
occurs can affect what characters do,
Elements of Storytelling how the plot unfolds, and whether the
1. Plot - every story needs a beginning, reader can connect with the author’s
middle, and end. Skillful stories typically choices. Consider the main types of
have a straightforward plot and yet also setting when writing or reading a short
manage to surprise the reader with the plot story.
twists that create interest.
The standard plot structure consist of five Backdrop Setting: This type of setting can
main elements: be the backdrop for almost any story. The
Exposition: Introduces the character and time period and physical place don’t affect
setting. the plot in a major way.
Rising Action: Something changes; the Integral Setting: An integral setting is a
characters meet a challenge or crisis. time and/or place that directly affects the
Climax: THe turning point and most plot. Alternatively, the story depends on
exciting part of a story. that setting as an integral element.
Falling Action: Events that follow as a
result of the climax. 4. Conflict - Conflict is the driving force of a
Resolution or Denouement: The end that good story. No conflict, no story. But why is
occurs after a conflict character has this the case? The answer lies on human
changed. nature. As humans we instinctively look fo
balance and harmony in our lives. So, as
Every story varies in its sequence of events soon as harmony is disrupted we do
and how long the character spends in whatever we can to restore it. When faced
various steps. That being said, the most with a problem - a conflict - we instinctively
successful stories keep the plot moving at seek to find a solution. Conflict forces us to
the steady pace that leads to a satisfying act. As storytellers, we get our message
resolution. across through the conflict and its
resolution.
2. Character - Complex and relatable
characters are important to a good story. 5. Theme - Once you identify a story’s plot,
The writer can create these types of setting, characters, and conflict, you can
characters by understanding character types work on finding its theme. The theme is the
and character traits. story’s ‘’big idea’’ or underlying message
about life. It can be one word that embodies
Character Types: what a story is trying to say or it can be a
Each of the types of characters in a story long phrase. The theme of a story is not the
contributes to the plot, but in very different same as its subject , which is the actual topic
ways. of the story.
Protagonist: The main character
whose journey we follow throughout the A storyboard is a sequence of hand-drawn
story sketches or visual images that are supported
Antagonist: Sometimes known as by script notes or dialogue and placed in a
the foil, the character whose goals come up sequence, for the viewer to visualise an
against the protagonist’s, leading to conflict animation before production.
Dynamic character: A character Each individual shot in the storyboard
who changes a result of the events in the represents a type of camera shot, angle,
story action, or special effect, to tell a story.
 providing description box with details of
Storyboard Methods and Techniques every action, let the image communicate
the motion of a scene. Arrows are a simple
1. Film aspects ratios - Storyboard and recognizable way to show motion or
showcase a series of images, of what the progression. This board covers some
audience will see on screen. These are common uses of arrows.
shown in formats called a Storyboard Panel 1. Pan right / Pan left - Arrows on the top
or Storyboard Frame, which is basically a and bottom of the cell pointing right/left
rectangular shaped box representing indicate that the camera should move
digitally on a paper. The size and shape of horizontally to the right/left.
the panel are different, depending on what 2. Zoom in / Zoom out - four
is called Aspect Ratio (the relationship inward/outward arrows signals for the
between the width & height of your video). camera to zoom in/out.
The most common aspect ratio are 4:3 and 3. Tilt up / Tilt down - Curved arrows on the
16:9. side pointing up instruct the camera to be
tilted upward/downward in angle.
2. Camera Angle - refers to the where the
camera is shooting from. When the Extreme Close Up - The shot focuses on the
storyboarding, always imagine yourself face of a character or a significant detail of
holding the camera, and ask youself what’s an object, excluding everything else. This
the best way to portray the action or subject imparts crucial details or emotions.
in a scene.

1. Point of View (POV) - camera angles are

used when you want the viewer to
understand what the character is seeing.
The view can be close, mid, or long.
2. Over the Shoulder Shot (OSS or OTS or
also known as the Third-Person Point of
View) - is a view from behind an individual
and towards a subject. It’s typically used
between people in conversation, and the
frame has one person/thing on the side of
the frame.
3. Two-Shot - is an angle where two subjects
are both in a single frame together, and
usually speaking. When drawing dialogue
frames, alternate between two-shots and
OTS shots.
4. Up Shot/ Worm’s Eye View - are angles
that look up at the subject/ object.
5. Down Shots/ Bird’s Eye View - are angles
that look up down at a subject/ object.

Camera and Object Motion

When creating a storyboard for film, it is
imperative that the images reflect the
script. Motion is central to these images:
the motions of the characters and objects
within the scene, as well as the motion of
the camera observing it. Instead of