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FILMMAKER'S RESOURCE CENTER

PRODUCTION PLANNING • POST-PRODUCTION

📋 Storyboarding: Planning Your Shots

What is a Storyboard?

A storyboard is like a comic book version of your film. Simple drawings showing what happens in each shot. Professional filmmakers ALWAYS storyboard - it saves hours of filming time!

Simple Storyboard Format:

┌─────────────────────┐
│                     │  SHOT 1: Wide shot
│    [SCENE SKETCH]   │  Beach landing
│                     │  3 seconds
└─────────────────────┘
Notes: Show scale of invasion

┌─────────────────────┐
│                     │  SHOT 2: Close-up
│    [SCENE SKETCH]   │  Soldier face
│                     │  2 seconds
└─────────────────────┘
Notes: Show determination

What to Include:

Camera Angle Guide:

  • WIDE SHOT (WS): Shows whole scene, establishes location
  • MEDIUM SHOT (MS): Shows character waist-up, good for action
  • CLOSE-UP (CU): Shows face/detail, creates emotion
  • EXTREME CLOSE-UP (ECU): Very tight on small detail
  • OVER-THE-SHOULDER (OTS): Camera behind one character looking at another
  • BIRD'S EYE VIEW: Straight down from above
  • LOW ANGLE: Camera below looking up (makes subject look powerful)
  • HIGH ANGLE: Camera above looking down (makes subject look small)
PRO TIP: Mix up your angles! Don't use all wide shots or all close-ups. Professional films constantly vary angles to keep it interesting.

Easy Storyboarding Methods:

🎬 Scene Planning: Story Structure

Simple 3-Act Structure:

Every story needs a beginning, middle, and end:

ACT 1: SETUP (25% of film)
  • Introduce characters and situation
  • Show what's normal before action starts
  • End with "inciting incident" - something happens!

Example: Clones are on patrol → suddenly ambushed!

ACT 2: CONFRONTATION (50% of film)
  • The main action and conflict
  • Characters face obstacles and challenges
  • Things get worse before they get better
  • Build to a climax - the biggest moment

Example: Firefight → pinned down → call for backup → reinforcements arrive → big battle

ACT 3: RESOLUTION (25% of film)
  • Conflict resolves - who wins?
  • Show aftermath and consequences
  • Short and satisfying ending

Example: Victory → assess damage → heroes walk off into sunset

For LEGO Films: Keep it short! A 30-60 second film is perfect to start. That's only 360-720 frames at 12fps. Quality over quantity!

✂️ Editing: Putting It Together

Import Your Frames:

Set Your Frame Rate:

Editing Basics:

CUT: Simple transition, just jump to next shot

Use for: Most of your film (90%)

FADE: Gradual fade to black

Use for: Scene changes, time passing

DISSOLVE: One image fades into next

Use for: Montages, dreamy sequences

Golden Rule of Editing: When in doubt, use a simple CUT. Fancy transitions often look amateur. Professionals use cuts 90% of the time!

Pacing & Timing:

The 180° Rule:

Imagine a line between two characters. Keep camera on ONE SIDE of that line. Don't jump across it or audience gets confused about who's where. 

      Camera stays on this side
         ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓
    [A] ←———————————→ [B]

    Don't cross this line!

🔊 Sound Design & Music

Sound Effects:

Good sound makes your film 50% better! Stop-motion is silent when shot, so ALL sound is added in editing.

Free Sound Effect Sources:

Sound Categories You'll Need:

WEAPONS:
  • Rifle shots (M1 Garand, Kar98k)
  • Machine gun fire (MG42, Browning)
  • Explosions (grenades, bombs, tanks)
  • Blasters (for Clone Wars)
  • Lightsabers
VEHICLES:
  • Tank engines and cannon fire
  • Aircraft engines (Stuka siren!)
  • LAAT gunship sounds
  • Walkers (AT-TE, AT-RT)
AMBIENT:
  • Battle ambience (distant gunfire)
  • Wind, rain, snow
  • Ocean waves (D-Day)
  • Radio chatter

Music Tips:

Copyright Warning: Don't use Star Wars music or game soundtracks in films you share publicly. YouTube will mute your audio! Use copyright-free alternatives that sound similar.

📊 Project Management

Time Management:

Realistic timeline for a 30-second film:

Don't Film It All At Once! Break into 30-60 minute sessions. You'll maintain focus and catch mistakes better. Professional animators work in short bursts.

Version Control:

Save multiple versions of your edit:

Backup Strategy:

💡 Pro Filmmaker Tips

1. LESS IS MORE:

30 seconds of amazing is better than 3 minutes of boring. Quality over quantity!

2. SHOW, DON'T TELL:

Use action and visuals to tell story. Don't rely on narration or text.

3. START WITH THE END:

Know your ending before you start. Work backwards from there.

4. STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST:

Study films and shows you love. Recreate shots that work. All filmmakers learn by copying, then develop their own style.

5. FINISH WHAT YOU START:

Better to complete a simple project than abandon a complex one. You learn more by finishing!

6. CONSTRAINTS BREED CREATIVITY:

Limited LEGO pieces? Small filming space? Work with it! Constraints force you to think creatively.

7. WATCH YOUR OWN WORK:

Watch your finished films multiple times. You'll spot what works and what doesn't. This is how you improve!

8. HAVE FUN:

If you're not enjoying it, step back. Filmmaking should be fun! Take breaks, try new things, experiment.

📈 Your Filmmaker Learning Path

PROJECT 1-3: Learn the Basics

PROJECT 4-6: Add Complexity

PROJECT 7+: Full Production

Remember: Every professional filmmaker started exactly where you are now. The only difference? They kept making films. Keep creating!