In conversation:Story board artist Manic

Story Board is one of the most important artistic process to be done during pre production for a visual art.

Mr.Manickavasagam known as Manic is one of the most leading and experienced Story board artist and Vfx head who started his carrier in Maruthanayagam continued to do many projects like Sahoo, Worked with hollywood stunt directors like. Grantpage – (MADMAX), kennybates-(mission impossible fame) ramazan bulut-(indian2).

In conversation to SICA.

What is basically a story board

A storyboard is your roadmap when you make a video.

Like a script, your storyboard visually guides you throughout the production process. By planning your video, you know which shots you need to create and how to create them when filming begins. You can get others’ feedback early on and make simple adjustments to your storyboard, rather than doing it after shoot.

Why You Need a Storyboard?

Creating a storyboard might just sound like an extra step in the process of making your video for your business, but it’s a step you won’t want to ignore. Here are three reasons why you need a storyboard:

Best way to share your vision

A visual aid makes it much easier for you to share and explain your vision for your video with others.

We’ve all had experiences where we were trying to explain something and the other person just can’t see your vision. The core of this issue is that most stakeholders don’t have the experience of visualizing something off of a text deliverable, such as a script.

When you have a storyboard, you can show people exactly how your video is going to be mapped out and what it will look like. This makes it infinitely easier for other people to understand your idea.

Makes production much easier

When you storyboard a video you’re setting up a plan for production, including all the shots you’ll need, the order that they’ll be laid out, and how the visuals will interact with the script.

The video storyboard is a starting point or suggested thoroughline around which you can plan your coverage (all the angles you will shoot of a scene). This really comes in handy when you’re making your video, as it ensures you won’t forget any scenes and helps you piece together the video according to your vision.

How did your journey as a story board artist started ?
My first project was with Kamal Hassan sir for his film “Maruthanayagam ” . He called me after seeing my projects done during my college . I worked as a story board artist for a war scene in that film

How was your experience working in Maruthanayagam ?

Kamal sir used to act the scene in front of us , and gives us an idea on how the story board should be . I would sketch the exact way he requires and he would pass it on to his team for them to follow it. Kamal sir to get best output he conducted a session for the crew about how ageold war happens..and strategies of war.

Importance of a story board ?

* Producer can calculate the budget as he knows the number shots to be taken.

* Director can have clear sketch on how the scene can be executed

.* Backdrop of the scene and the props present in the scene or shot is known

.* DOP knows the visual presentation of the director and number of shots a scene requires.

* Artist can understand their role as a character

.* Music director can understand the mood of the film or a scene .

Above picture : story board team for Sahoo

What is meant by conceptual art ?
Conceptual art refers to detailing of the place the sense a scene takes place. This includes sketching of background , costumes and activities taking place.
How was your work as a vfx consultant in “Eeram”?
We did not get the motion rig camera on the day of shoot , so with Dop Manoj Paramahamsa we decided to just shoot with camera in track . We had to create as many as 10 layers to do vfx to create water overflow on floor . So we took many shots like
* With actors
* Without actors ie. only the location
* only the actor ie. without location
* With water on floor and without water on floor
* With all the elements and actors
These shots were created into separate layers and vfx was done to bring the effect perfectly.
How will you decide whether to use digital art or manual sketch ?
Digital art takes more time and manual sketching is easier . If I have ample of time I will do digital art or else manual sketch while working with less time .
Digital art or Manual sketching , Which one is better in terms of quality ?
In digital art , the resolution will be good even when its zoomed whereas in manual , there will be pixel breakage when zoomed in.
How will you approach doing story board for a period film?
We have to do proper R&D about the location , costumes , things used , look of people before sketching the story board. mainly we have to get references from stories,archeology dept and even some newspaper references, some times from the temple sculptures.

Films without story board are also getting Hit , What is your opinion on it?
Yes, there are few films which are getting successful even without storyboard . It mainly depends on a films budget and demand of the script to some extent . Having a story board will be very helpful for action sequences , shooting in time constraint , involvement of high budget props or equipments as it saves some money for the producer .
What is your advice to upcoming filmmakers?

According to me every project needs a story board whether it is a low budget or high budget film…today even documentaries are done with story board.
It will be good if the upcoming filmmakers practise the use of story board in their films , have good consultation for vfx or any special works before going for shoot.

Can you say what are important elements story Board 

Whether they’re drawn by a storyboard artist or diagrammed on a computer, all storyboards share the same information. They need to touch on the main actions, speech, and effects in every shot to clearly communicate how a video will appear.

Here are the key elements that every storyboard should include:

• Shot images: Individual panels featuring 2D drawings to show what’s happening—actions, characters—throughout a video
• Shot number: The number indicating when a shot appears according to a video’s shot list
• Action: The primary activity happening in a shot
• Dialogue (or narration: Any speech that is heard throughout a video
• FX: Technical details that explain how the shot is created in production and post-production (e.g. aspect ratio, camera angles, camera movement, shot type, sound effects, special effects)

A full storyboard has all of the information necessary to imagine how your finished video will appear. Reviewing your images and notes for each shot, you and your team can brainstorm how your video should be adjusted and what resources you will need in production.

Article compiled by : Rohin Senthil

Edited by : CJ Rajkumar

Author/ Cinematographer