The Fate of Storyboards After Film Shooting: Importance and Disposal

When a film shoot comes to an end, one might wonder what happens to the storyboard that guided the entire production process. This article explores the significance of storyboards during filming and their fate in post-production, providing insights for filmmakers and professionals involved in the journey from script to screen.

What is a Storyboard?

A storyboard is a visual guide that translates a screenplay into a sequence of images. It serves as a critical tool in the planning and execution phases of filmmaking. Typically, storyboards illustrate the shot-by-shot breakdown of a scene, including camera angles, frame compositions, character positions, and camera movements. This allows filmmakers to visualize the narrative before a single frame is captured.

Storyboards and Their Role During Filming

Storyboards play a pivotal role in film production, particularly in budgeting, planning, and storytelling visualization. They are essential for: Budgeting: They help in estimating costs associated with equipment, locations, and crew. Planning: They guide the shooting schedule, ensuring that coverage and angles are thoughtfully considered. Visualization: They bring the screenplay to life, allowing directors and cinematographers to see the scene as it will appear on screen.

Once the film is shot, however, the primary purpose of a storyboard is fulfilled. The actual performance and technical execution of the scenes captured on film may differ from the storyboard due to various reasons such as unforeseen factors on set, creative choices, or changes made during production.

Disposal of Storyboards: The Norm

Much like any other physical document created during the production process, storyboards are typically discarded after filming. There are several reasons for this:

Strengths of Discarding Storyboards

Resource Management: Keeping large amounts of storyboards takes up physical and digital space, which can be better utilized elsewhere. Containment of Creative Differences: The finished film is a unique artistic creation, and maintaining a document from a previous stage might not align with the final vision. Economic Factors: In the context of budget constraints, the physical copies of storyboards may not be worth retaining.

Additionally, unless someone involved in the production has a nostalgic attachment or desires to keep these documents for historical purposes, there is generally no practical reason to retain them post-shoot. Post-production teams focus on other critical aspects such as editing, color grading, sound design, and special effects, which are far more essential at this stage.

Exceptions to the Rule

There are, however, exceptions where some storyboards may serve a lasting purpose: Promotional Materials: Occasionally, a blockbuster or a high-profile project might retain some of its storyboards for marketing purposes. Behind the scenes books, documentaries, or posters may feature these visuals, giving fans a glimpse into the creative process. Legal and Documentation Purposes: For legal and archival reasons, some production companies may choose to keep copies of the storyboards as a record of the initial creative intent and planning process.

Conclusion: Balancing Benefits and Disposal

In the grand scheme of film production, storyboards are a valuable tool that aids in the preparatory stages. However, once the filmmaking process concludes, the practicality and necessity of retaining these documents decline. Most storyboards are scrapped to make way for other crucial aspects that contribute to the final product. While exceptions exist, the norm is to dispose of them to maintain organization and focus on post-production tasks.

For writers, directors, and production teams, understanding the lifecycle and importance of storyboards can provide a clearer perspective on the filmmaking process and the various stages of production.