Storyboard and Shot Analysis
A storyboard is an argument about how a sequence should feel. Plan six frames, then justify the shot choices that make the sequence work.
Success criteria
- I can identify the shot size, angle, and movement in a short sequence.
- I can explain how sound and editing shape the audience's response.
- I can storyboard an alternative sequence using at least four film techniques.
- I can justify my choices using evidence and effect.
Model sequence analysis
Watch a 30-60 second teacher-approved sequence twice. The first time, watch like a viewer. The second time, watch like a filmmaker: pause, note timecodes, and describe what the camera is doing.
| Time | Shot / angle / movement | What we see | Sound | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0:00 | Wide shot, eye level, slow tracking | Coraline enters the corridor; the door is behind her. | Low strings and a soft hum. | The space feels larger than the real world and slightly unreal. |
| 0:06 | Medium shot, low angle, push in | The Other Mother waits at the end of the corridor. | The hum grows; a distant music-box melody begins. | The low angle gives the Other Mother authority, but the push in also makes her inviting. |
| 0:12 | Close-up, eye level, static | The button eyes catch the light. | The melody continues; background sound drops away. | The detail is unsettling because the face is familiar but the eyes are not. |
| 0:18 | Wide shot, high angle, slow crane up | The Other World garden stretches out below. | Orchestral swell; birdsong. | The high angle makes Coraline small in a beautiful but controlled space. |
| 0:24 | Medium close-up, Dutch tilt | Coraline smiles, then hesitates. | The music falters for one beat. | The tilt signals that something is wrong beneath the surface. |
Write the effect, not the label. “Low angle” is a technique. “The low angle makes the Other Mother look powerful and in control” is analysis. “This positions the audience to trust her even though the button eyes warn us not to” is a judgement.
Six-frame storyboard
Task: Storyboard an alternative entrance to the Other World. It must feel tempting and wrong at the same time. Use at least four techniques from the glossary. Do not copy the film shot for shot.
Sound:
Purpose:
Sound:
Purpose:
Sound:
Purpose:
Sound:
Purpose:
Sound:
Purpose:
Sound:
Purpose:
Justify two choices
| Frame | Technique | What it makes the audience notice or feel | Why it suits the sequence's purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||
| 2 |
Shot-analysis paragraph
In the sequence where ..., the filmmaker uses [shot size / angle / movement] to [effect]. This is visible when [specific evidence]. The choice positions the audience to [judgement] because [reason].
Checklist
- My storyboard has six frames in a clear order.
- At least four frames use a named film technique.
- My sound notes explain what the audience hears, not just what they see.
- My justification links technique to effect and purpose.
- My sequence feels tempting and wrong at the same time.
Use a teacher-approved clip and a licensed copy of the film. This page does not reproduce film stills.