The filmmaking process for a recent unique movie involved an innovative approach to storyboarding. In the initial pre-production stage, the team used three binders full of storyboards. This method began with printing out a two-page treatment and cutting it into individual lines which were then rearranged within a basic Joseph Campbell hero's journey framework. The team created small drawings on note cards and paper strips, moving them around like puzzle pieces to find the right narrative and comedic flow.
The creative process required basic office supplies like scissors, a printer, poster boards, and tape. Once the pieces were arranged, they were taped onto poster boards to create a physical storyboard. This physical layout allowed the team to visualize the film before moving to Storyboard Pro software, where they animated the scenes set to music.
This approach was particularly necessary for this project due to the absence of dialogue, relying heavily on visual storytelling. Storyboards were printed into PDF format and placed in waterproof binders for use during shooting, especially critical in challenging environments like snow.
On set, the director used these storyboards as a visual reference, instructing the team to follow the drawings closely. This left little room for improvisation, emphasizing the importance of visual fidelity to the original concept.