Instruction manual

Chapter 3
SCRIPTWRITING & STORYBOARDS
Beat Sheet Storyboard
Blank Beat Sheet Form
Shot Descriptions
Scene Descriptions
Camera Angles
Cut
Fade
Headroom
Take
Cutaway Shots
Overhead Maps For Shooting
Planning Shots
Beat Sheet Example
Take Sheet
Slate
After The Shoot
Checklist For The Shoot
Take
A music video can be performance only, concept or some of both. A performance
video is relatively simple to plan. A concept video can be either a literal or abstract
interpretation of the lyrics. As a Director and Scriptwriter, it’s important to work closely
with the band, and obtain their ideas.
Beat Sheet Storyboard
My Beat Sheet method makes it easy to work on the script, and find any place in
the song. It will give everyone an idea of how the the clip will look before shooting
begins. It will also save time during the edit session.
If you’re not a musician or don’t understand counting beats in a measure, be sure
to ask the person who creates the beats and measures on the Beat Sheet Storyboard. For
example, if a song has 4 beats per measure, count aloud “1” on the first down beat, “2”
on the second down beat, and so on. The “1, 2, 3, 4” starts over at every measure. In other
words, in Measure 32, the first down beat will be “1”.
Since the audio of your video clip will be music, it will be nice to have something
similar to a music Lead Sheet, for quick and easy reference. Musical notes aren’t needed,
just the number of measures, and number of beats per measure. Here’s how to create a
Beat Sheet:
Find someone who can read music, and let them read this page. If you can’t get a
favor, it might cost a few dollars. Ask for a referral from a musical instrument store, choir
director, or piano store. Show them the Beat Sheet example below. Give them an audio