Why You Shouldn't Storyboard (According to Werner Herzog and Taika Waititi)

Check out our Hong Kong production house: www.capsule48.com
SUPPORT DIGITAL DARKROOM: / digitaldarkroom
In this episode we stay indoors and seek wise words of wisdom from Werner Herzog and Taika Waititi about the art of storyboarding (and whether or not they are for cowards, to quote Herzog).
We filmed this episode on this camera: goo.gl/WMcY3d
Find us on Instagram:
Ian - / sakeq
Anne - / annecberry

[@CianHamilton]

More of this kind of thing please :) Film studies, methodology, philosophy, technique, style etc.

[@GarryTan]

Cian Hamilton's Life yeah the philosophy of film and technique are fascinating

[@MariahGem]

As an animator, I'm giggling over here, because without storyboards, you have NO animation. 3D, 2D or stop motion, we'd have no idea what we were doing without the storyboards. But that's because animation is 100% planned. I totally get what they mean though, and it works amazing for them, especially in the situations they were doing it in (Werner doing a documentary and Taika working with kids) it's more useful to not be bound by storyboards. You just have to be quick on your feet and able to change and have the elbow room to do it. But me here, working to compile storyboards right now, am like, "I could never!" But I totally get what you mean, it's fascinating to see different approaches!

[@elneutrino90]

A storyboard makes you think in the scene as a series of actions that must be shown, instead of real happenings in real space

[@djo-dji6018]

Not necessarily, unless the director is completely clueless.

[@freyathesage1749]

Anyone who thinks art has obligatory rules is unlikely to make anything worthwhile.

[@ikoyDaPnoy]

Glad you're posting new vids again. I hope to see more analog camera presentations. I love those but mainly how YOU present it.

[@IanWong]

I do have a few analog lenses coming in the mail (if they arrive...) might be interesting?

[@ikoyDaPnoy]

@@IanWong Absolutely! I love how legacy glass looks & feels. I love handling the manual control when I adapt them onto my Sony a7. My favorite lens of ALL TIME is my Minolta MC Rokkor PG 58mm f/1.2 (the early version). I eventually decided to buy the 1st cameras (or at least the 1st popular cameras) for each mount. Like the Minolta SR-T 101, the Nikon F, & the Canon FX. I even have the Canon 7 ... it's beautiful. I got all into MiNT & bought their TLR that uses Fuji Instax mini film.

[@benj7483]

I'm cool with you guys branching out from film photography. Just remember to talk about what you guys actually care about!

[@Zzyzxis]

Been watching your videos since the old analogrev days. One of the things I like about your channel is that you're not just about gear and that you delve into other aspects of photography! I'm sure that no matter what kind of videos you make I'll continue to watch them :)

[@KhanhPham-mr9up]

I'll admit, I'm sad to hear you guys will be moving away from film photography as a focus for the channel as that's what brought me here in the first place. On the other hand, it's the unique perspective on the creative process that sets this channel apart from others, and if you guys continue to be passionate in creating content, I'm sure whatever comes out as a result will be just as amazing.

[@GarryTan]

Absolutely loved this vid. Hope to watch more soon. Excellent pacing and I dug the commentary a ton. Thank you for sharing. You inspired me to work on my own KZbin channel and I hope to see lots more vlogs from you on all topics! Stay safe in these crazy times and thank you again for a great episode!

[@IanWong]

Thank you!

[@matthewjoseph7679]

Ian I strongly recommend watching Herzog’s narrative films, especially his of the 70s they’re all essential classics of the era. More particularly his two films with Bruno S. & his two best with Kinski in my opinion is Aguirre and Woyzek.

[@NJ1810]

I'm a little sad to hear that you guys want to move away from film photography content because I actually think that in that genre, and there a LOT of channels in that area out there, you provided the greatest and most inspriring videos. Nevertheless I'm excited to see where you are ging witht his channel!

[@Sc3ptor]

Hi guys! Just wanted to say that I totally support the new direction of focusing on videography as your next subject. One of my most favorite old channels focused on videography/cinematography was Every Frame a Painting. I feel that you and Anne already have the ability to convey your messages in a succinct, articulate way through visuals and storytelling and I can't wait to see your next project!

[@IanWong]

Big shoes to fill! But thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@DylanHaskin]

Ah man - what a treat - didn't notice you uploaded until today! Thanks Ian. Love your stuff.

[@educatorlpmfaalaska6381]

❕Express Your Art Projects Effective POWER Potentials❕ = how❔= ❕S T O R Y B O A R D S POWER IS ITS OWN CONFIDENCE ❕ But Never StoryBoarding = lack of confidence = no story boards ❔ = Sluggish boring confusion❔

[@Coconut7403]

I am so sad that this channel doesn't have more followers!

[@juju10683]

Kurosawa and Hitchcock storyboarded so that’s good enough for me

[@amicableenmity9820]

"The birds here are in misery, they do not sing, they just scream in pain" said with a completely deadpan expression.

[@NegativeCompensation]

Well done. I’m a big fan of this type of videos, and you are very good at it. Keep them coming.

[@BertieFett]

Really interesting video Ian. I saw a documentary years ago about Kubrick & Spielberg. Kubrick’s way of shooting was shoot everything you think of so you have max editing freedom whereas Spielberg basically edited as a storyboard and then shot accordingly. I guess from your expit shows why Kubrick’s films famously too so long to film! Love whatever content you decide to out out especially if this like this its more about the creative side of things Take care and stay safe

[@IanWong]

Great comparison - yeah I guess with masters there isn't any formula - just whatever way works for every individual.

[@kuraxxkura]

Would be interesting to see a new direction of this channel! I really enjoy your videos (I've watched them all). Expanding your scope of field is always a great idea. Keep it up guys.

[@wahyuprasojo5148]

glad to see your vid back

[@TheKeggie]

I adore the work of Herzog although his films than documentaries which i find rather forced but i totally disagree with him regarding storyboarding. Its a must especially on a film set to not only give yourself a blueprint on how to make the film but also your cast and crew too. Now what i will add is that you should also be open to moments of inspiration of the moment to come up with a better shot or sequence.

[@salvagemonster3612]

Unless you are doing lots of SPX. Then story boarding gives a much better understanding for the vision.

[@OneDayAtATime365]

Phenomenal. Just exquisite. 🔥🎬🔥

I think it is very important to take this comment the right way. It isn't sad that you are moving away from film, it's just that you guys are really good at it, and with the massive influx of people talking about film photography....without knowledge. This channel *clearly* have a place to stay. Re:storyboards. I haven't been on the massive Hollywood sets, but all the larger sets I have been on, still have storyboards. No one follows it religiously, but uses it as a guide. The way described that Taika uses is pretty much union standard now, except for tv-shows. Director goes through the scene, blocking, lighting with stand ins, then rehearsal, adjustments, then shoot.

[@_scabs6669]

That's bull you should use every tool at your disposal

[@CafeCreativeYT]

Wonderful work here on display

[@vladvig3]

Lovely video as always

[@5b113f1a]

Finally updated.

[@fabipuello]

Great episode like always!

[@IanWong]

Thanks!

[@laceyobryan6671]

Would love to see some super 8 filmmaking stuff for indie film makers.

[@johnjgilchrist]

Thanks for the new video, stay safe.

[@IanWong]

Thanks John - stay safe as well

[@wheeez]

Video photography is great, but could you start with basics? the way you present stuff makes everything more insightful and accessible than your regular youtube tutorial

[@throwback19841]

Herzog doesn't storyboard cos he doesn't make those kinds of movies. Waititi might not do it because the marvel production train comes with visual effects artists and you can be absolutely sure they are using storyboards

[@ThisIsWideAngle]

First lesson in a Werner Herzog Masterclass: Nobody else is like Werner Herzog. Nobody can be like Werner Herzog. Sure we can attemp to be like Werner Herzog. But there are only a few other human beings on earth who are as creative, educated, tempting, experimenting, instinctive and fearless as he is. And they are probably all in mental institutes. :)

[@IanWong]

Haha - so very true...

[@phsyckomantis]

The only time we did a storyboard. The project never came to life 😂😂😂😂

[@IanWong]

at least there's a storyboard for memory ;)

[@phsyckomantis]

@@IanWong lol 😂👍

[@ListenandLearnEnglish]

How are you doing in HK? I'm over in Shenzhen and things are still open.

[@IanWong]

It's not too bad here - there were shortages around a month ago but things have sort of settled down. No official lock-down yet!

[@ListenandLearnEnglish]

@@IanWong nice man. Stay safe. Really hope to get out and find a Pentax or some other 120 film monster to shoot here in China.

[@johnearnshaw5036]

I suspect the storyboard is a loose plan in Werner's head, but I think he will still have a basic structure.

[@xalstarx]

Herzog has always been vehemently against storyboarding. I used to listen to his DVD commentaries and the subject would come up, where he would say storyboards were a “Hollywood disease” and a “coward’s way out” hahaha

[@jokesNgiggles]

Good video, I really enjoyed this. I loved JoJo Rabbit

[@sanitorz232]

I mean, Kubrick would kind of disagree

[@kingearner4320]

Kubrick didnt storyboard

[@genebomb9958]

@@kingearner4320 He didn't jus visualize his scene their to precise like a painting or a picture frama

[@CristianGeelen]

Woohoo!

[@trevorinsaigon]

Yasssss finally omg :).

[@keavenwn]

Upload alert!

[@user-gz3mw2uc8p]

one more great episode 📸 just stop bringing up those excuses (sorry we could have done something better) every time

[@IanWong]

Thanks! And sorry, we'll do it less (it's in my Canadian nature)! :b

[@wildwildben]

Ian, you are good, but you need to e-nun-ci-ate your words more clearly.