It might help to have both. That way you can be sure that you and the DP are visualizing the same thing.

Coming Out of Left Field
http://bostonian71.blogspot.com

I only use shot lists and never storyboards. For me it isn't an issue of the crew reading my mind - I'm very clear what I want and am happy to take the time to tell them.

But you might be right - if for some reason you can't explain the shots to the crew then storyboards might be the better way to go.

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

I think storyboards are very important. If you have boards you don't need a shot-list, just a shooting schedule. Storyboards are alot of work and very time consuming, but the rewards they provide are invaluable. For me they have always provided a degree of insight into the visual narrative that I could never achieve only visualizing the shots. At the same time storyboards can provide a clear heads-up as to how the film is going to look, cut and feel long before you have the first shot in-the-can.

Everyone has their prefered method, I vote do the extra work and see how it feels for you.

Elipses

Just an aside but I found a detailed shotlist helped me really visualize the film in my head much more than simply reading/writing the screenplay. I'll probably cook up a shotlist after the first draft of my next screenplay. Even if I toss it the exercise helped me straighten out a few issues I hadn't noticed.

Shotlist good.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

Shotlists are definitely worth having/writing. As for Storyboards, meh... I'm no artist and neither are those involved with my projects, stick people in frames (as someone else mentioned here) gets the point across and doesn't take "alot" of time, as opposed to drawing out every detail.

Have you tried "Storyboard Quick"? I bought it, and tried it out, it seems easy enough and does most of the work for you, including the insertion of backgrounds, and characters.

S

I think, therefore I've got problems...