Prof. Michael O'Rourke

DDA-514, Storyboarding & Storytelling

Non-narrative/Observation Exercise

The goal here is to notice small details of the world around us and storyboard whatever small detail or moment you find interesting. There is no narrative or story involved here -- just the observation and notation in storyboard form of some small details that are of interest to you.

Bring with you something you can write on and something you can draw on. These can be physical -- a sketchbook, or pad of paper, pencils, etc. Or they can be digital -- such as an iPad.

Go outside somewhere near our building. Stay by yourself. Do not do this exercise with or in the company of anyone else. The goal is for you to individually observe and notice little things, so you need to be by yourself and quiet. Find a spot somewhere and sit down. Pause, do nothing for a moment. Observe what you see -- anything at all. Make some quick sketches in your book about what you see. Add some verbal notes about what you see.

Next, close your eyes for a moment and listen. Listen to whatever sounds you may hear. They may or may not seem significant, but they are there. Listen with your eyes closed for a few moments. Then open your eyes and write some verbal notes about what you heard.

Finally, look and and listen again to what is before you and around you. Colors? Motions? Sounds? Silences? These could be small as a leaf fluttering in the breeze, or as large as a truck going by. Are things nearby? Far away? How do these things move? What sounds do you hear at the same time? Add to your sketches and notations.

In all of this, do NOT take any photographs, or audio recordings, or videos. Make your notes by hand. This is because it is too easy to take photos and recordings. You don't have to think in order to that. Make your notes and drawings by hand. This will force you to think more and observe more carefully.

When you come back inside to the classroom, post both your visual and verbal notes to your blog.