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FILM NARRATIVE

Before animating the film Michel Ocelot created a storyboard of the whole film, frame by frame. In an interview about the making of The Princes’ Quest, Michel Ocelot said:

‘The 1,300 shots in the film are each defined in a file in which we also keep the framing of the shot, the characters’ principal positions in the shot, the sketches of the background, dialogue indications and camera movements.’

Filmmakers and animators use various ‘shot types’ to tell a story on screen. Each plays a part in describing setting or character and help to tell the story from a certain point of view.

ACTIVITY FOR PUPILS:

Click on each of the blue Image links above. Can you match each image to the shot type name and description? You can click on the button on each image for a description of the type of shot it is.

Close-up: A close-up helps us to see the emotions of a character in detail.

Mid-shot: A medium shot is often used to show two or more characters together, so we can see them interact (e.g. talking) and understand their relationships. Some shots like this can be called a two-shot.

Long shot: A long shot establishes the environment in a scene by showing a lot of background as well as characters, weather, buildings etc. A long shot can be a good opening shot to set the scene.

High angle: When the camera is placed above and looking down on the action this is called a high angle. This shot is used to make characters being looked down on appear smaller, perhaps to make them seem vulnerable or to show the point of view of a character looking down.

Low angle: When the camera is placed low and looking up at the action this is called a low angle. A low angle is used to make characters being looked up to appear larger, perhaps to make them seem intimidating or to show the point of view of a character looking up.

ACTIVITIES FOR PUPILS:

• Look at each shot carefully and discuss.
• What is happening in each frame?
• What do we learn about characters, locations and action?
• Are the shots from another character's point of view? How can you tell?
• Choose your favourite moments of the film and draw your own pictures of characters and locations demonstrating each of the five shot types.
• What was your favourite scene in the film? The storm at sea? When Azur meets the Scarlet Lion?Draw a storyboard of the scene and try to include different shot types for each frame.

For more information about storyboarding download the Film Education STORYBOARDING resource.