Visual Storytelling

[Soviet Heavy]

Visual storytelling is the process of conveying information through imagery rather than words. It can work on both a referential and subconscious level, either alluding to other works, or to convey an emotion. A picture is worth a thousand words anyhow.
Here is an example of excellent visual storytelling.

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you watch this iconic scene? "Wow, thats a big spaceship!" is a popular example.
But on a subconscious level, this one scene conveys a huge amount of information regarding the Star Wars Trilogy. The editing and camera angles work together to show the watcher the plight of the Rebellion and the magnitude of their struggle.

The small ship is the Rebellion, while the Star Destroyer is representative of the Empire. This alone shows just how big the Empire is, and the challenge it poses on the fledgling Rebellion. The overbearing shot of the underbelly of the Star Destroyer represents oppression, with the weight of such a juggernaut bearing down on the poor freedom fighters.

With this one scene, a viewer can sum up the entire scope of the conflict, and the overall feel of the film.

TLR If you didn't read through this, simply talk about an example of visual storytelling that you find particularly effective.

 

[Eumersian]

I always have trouble with visual storytelling, in part because I'm a little stupid, but also because I am usually forced to say things to myself as the scene is happening. This is so I can connect it to future events. I can't just watch and absorb. I have to rationalize.

Many scenes from Star Wars, though, have this feature. The panoramic scenes really give a clue as to what the current setting will be like.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

I always have trouble with visual storytelling, in part because I'm a little stupid, but also because I am usually forced to say things to myself as the scene is happening. This is so I can connect it to future events. I can't just watch and absorb. I have to rationalize.

I wouldn't say that that would exclude you from taking something away from visual storytelling. Like I said, it works on a subconscious level. While you may not be able to place what you see in words, it will give you an emotional response, and that feeling it provides helps convey the tone of the story through the imagery.

 

[SonicKoala]

Valve excels at this type of storytelling - just look at games like Half-Life 2; nobody tells you a thing about what's going on (at least not initially), and they don't need to - a close examination of the environment will tell you pretty much everything you need to know.

I particularly love the introduction, and how the first thing you see once you get off the train Dr.Breen welcoming you to City 17 from the giant TV screen... it felt like I'd just stepped into 1984.

 

[Trivun]

I make short films with a university society, and the bulk of our output is two-minute films at the very longest. In two minutes you can't really have much, if any, dialogue, so the entire point of the story is done through visual storytelling. We've also got a few short films that we show to newer members that drive home that point, along with the fact that famous directors were students or amateur filmmakers once too. For example, here's one we often show that Martin Scorsese did when he was a student (as a metaphor for the Vietnam War), and then a film some of our society members did, that both focus on visual storytelling.

Spoiler: Short Films Within...

 

[Soviet Heavy]

I make short films with a university society, and the bulk of our output is two-minute films at the very longest. In two minutes you can't really have much, if any, dialogue, so the entire point of the story is done through visual storytelling. We've also got a few short films that we show to newer members that drive home that point, along with the fact that famous directors were students or amateur filmmakers once too. For example, here's one we often show that Martin Scorsese did when he was a student (as a metaphor for the Vietnam War), and then a film some of our society members did, that both focus on visual storytelling.

Spoiler: Short Films Within...

Wow, those were pretty good. Well done.

 

[Trivun]

I make short films with a university society, and the bulk of our output is two-minute films at the very longest. In two minutes you can't really have much, if any, dialogue, so the entire point of the story is done through visual storytelling. We've also got a few short films that we show to newer members that drive home that point, along with the fact that famous directors were students or amateur filmmakers once too. For example, here's one we often show that Martin Scorsese did when he was a student (as a metaphor for the Vietnam War), and then a film some of our society members did, that both focus on visual storytelling.

Spoiler: Short Films Within...

Wow, those were pretty good. Well done.

The first one wasn't ours, that was one by Martin Scorsese. Thanks though, I did the editing on the second one (as well as having a cheeky cameo as 'Guy With Incredibly Awesome Hat'). You really think it's good? I'm fairly dubious myself of its quality, what with the fact that the idiots filming it decided to not bother doing more than one take of each scene and only doing each bit from one angle, meaning plenty of crappy long shots that looked really bad, and only about ten minutes of usable footage (you need about twenty minutes at least to be able to edit into a good two-minute film), half of which I also had to scrap because the actor kept looking into the camera, the fool that he was...