Visual planning documents translate narrative concepts into spatial and temporal plans. They are a core component of professional pre-production practice across all visual media forms and are essential for VCE Media production folios.
A storyboard is a sequence of drawn frames that depicts the planned shots of a production, presented in order. Each frame includes:
- A drawn image representing the shot composition (shot size, angle, subject positioning)
- Notes on camera movement (if any)
- Notes on audio (dialogue, sound effects, music)
- Notes on action/performance
- Shot duration (optional)
Storyboards do not require polished illustration — functional clarity is more important than artistic quality. The storyboard enables the producer to visualise the edited sequence before any footage is captured.
Uses: Fiction film, animation, television commercials, music videos.
A table documenting each planned shot:
| Shot # | Scene | Shot Type | Camera Movement | Action / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Opening | Wide establishing shot | Static | Exterior of school building, early morning |
| 002 | Opening | MS | Dolly in | Protagonist walks toward camera, looking determined |
A shot list enables efficient shooting-day planning — knowing what shots are needed prevents missed coverage.
A collage of visual references assembled to communicate the intended aesthetic, tone, and style of the production. Typically includes:
- Reference images from existing media products
- Colour palette swatches
- Texture and material references
- Typography samples (for print/digital work)
- Lighting reference images
A mood board answers the question: ‘What should this look like and feel like?’
For productions requiring specific locations:
- Sketches or photographs of proposed locations with annotations
- Notes on lighting conditions at planned shooting times
- Identification of practical challenges (background noise, power access, permission requirements)
For studio or controlled lighting productions:
- A diagram showing the placement of lights, subject, camera, and reflectors
- Notes on light type, quality, and direction
- Expected effect on the subject
For print or digital media productions:
- A rough sketch of the page layout showing the placement of text, images, headlines, and other elements
- Grid structure and column arrangement
- Hierarchy of visual elements
| Media Form | Recommended Visual Planning Documents |
|---|---|
| Fiction short film | Storyboard, shot list, location sketches, lighting plan |
| Documentary | Shot list, location photographs, mood board |
| Photography series | Mood board, location sketches, lighting plan |
| Print/digital media | Mood board, layout/flat plan |
| Radio/Podcast | Minimal visual planning; focus on scripted documents |
VCAA FOCUS: Visual planning documents must be clearly annotated with production intent — not just labelled with shot types but explained in terms of the meaning they will construct for the audience.
EXAM TIP: In evaluating your pre-production, discuss how your visual planning documents served the narrative intent and identify any ways in which the actual production diverged from the plan — and why. Productive deviation from the plan, where documented and explained, demonstrates sophisticated production thinking.
