We are all familiar with the different types of storytelling, whether it is written or told orally. But nothing seems to compare to what visual storytelling can bring to the table.
Cinema has taken the world by storm for well over a hundred years now. The use of moving images to portray worlds and scenarios we never could have imagined can now be viewed on the big screen. All types of genres use the power of visual storytelling to convey messages and set the mood from horror films to dramas and even comedies.
As we all know, messages can be delivered without the use of words. Through videos, pictures, and cinema, we are now able to experience a story and understand how characters feel with attributes such as lighting, setting, background objects, camera angles, and body language.
The proper use of these attributes is vital to delivering a message, especially in today’s age of high visual and digital communication. So, what are the basic principles of visual storytelling and how do filmmakers tell stories without the use of dialogue?
Basic Principles of Visual Storytelling
1. Purpose
Before anything else, a storyteller should think about WHY and WHAT kind of message he is trying to convey. All types of storytelling use this principle because it is a crucial one. Prepare beforehand and wonder what you want the audience to feel. Do you want them to feel scared? Make use of eerie tones and dark visuals. Do you want them to feel happy? If so, use bright, joyful visuals instead. Without a proper purpose, you will not be able to maximize the power of visual storytelling.
2. Understanding the Audience
A good storyteller must always put their audience first. The key to understanding your audience is to try to understand their expectations and what they want to see from your story. Always make sure you know which demographic you are aiming for. Use complicated shots and visuals for a mature audience to challenge their minds and perceptions of your story but always keep it simple and easily understandable for a younger audience.
3. Design and Supplementation
Other types of storytelling require the use of words and dialogue but visual communication is achieved through images. Pick out the right design choices and remember to analyze them. After all, the main task of visual storytelling is to supplement the story. Make sure to use images that support the story and the current scene you are trying to portray.
An example of a bad design choice would be 2017’s Justice League directed by Zack Snyder. The visuals were so dark and gritty that the audience was confused about whether they were watching a superhero film or a horror movie. The movie came out to be a box office flop and one of the biggest cinematic disappointments of the year.
4. Relatability
Next, visual storytelling needs to be REAL and RELATABLE. It needs to be authentic and capture moments that the audience can connect to and relate to. Make sure to use images and concepts that are familiar to the audience so they can easily comprehend and process the kind of message you are conveying. This will also capture their attention and make a good impression, making your message memorable.
5. Engaging the Senses
One of the most important principles of visual storytelling is engaging the senses of the audience. Have you ever sat through an action movie and had your mind blown by all the visuals? Well, have you ever sat through a horror movie and had chills running down your spine by seeing an eerie figure in the background? That is exactly how the storyteller wants you to feel. Unlike other types of storytelling, where we are mostly limited to using our imagination, videos and movies allow us to see things come to life. Remember that visual communication is about showing and not telling. So make sure to use imagery that will keep the audience engaged.
6. Shots and Angles
Shots and angles are a good way to tell a story without using any dialogue and let the audience feel the power of visual storytelling through the eyes of a camera lens. Focus on a subject by putting them in the foreground. Foreshadow future events by putting characters and images in the background. Use wide shots to let the audience feel the sense of space the characters are in.
Wes Anderson, one of the most successful directors in Hollywood, is famous for using central framing to draw attention to an object or character.
Case Study: Pixar’s “Up”
Perhaps one of the best examples that shows the power of visual storytelling is a 4-minute sequence from Pixar’s Up that shows the life of Carl Fredricksen with his wife Ellie. In this 4-minute sequence, we are taken on a trip through Carl and Ellie’s married life. In less than 5 minutes, we are shown their dreams, goals, losses, and achievements all without the use of any words. So, what makes this sequence special?
The scene starts with the newlywed couple. Through body language and facial expressions, we can tell that they are ecstatic to be finally married. One side of the church is loud and cheerful while the other is silent – probably because Carl has taken away Ellie to start a new life with her. The ideas and notions are familiar and can easily be understood by everyone. The start of a fresh new life with the person they love – a simple family in a new home. Next, we are shown a bedroom with a crib decorated with colorful paint and toys. With the transition of a tracking shot, we are shown that this is not possible for them. The use of a doctor, a picture of maternity on the wall, and body language – disappointment along with so many other emotions are shown in two simple shots.
Life is often harsh and the couple must move on. Adventure is their next major goal in life. The filmmakers use a jar of coins as a symbol of the couple’s progress. Despite going through multiple setbacks, we can see the love and happiness of the couple triumph among it all. Carl’s neckties are used as a creative and clever way to show the passage of time. Time has caught up with Ellie. We see Carl alone in the church, a reminder of where it all began. To wrap up this emotional journey, the filmmakers showed us that it has come full circle – to end where it all began.
A short 4-minute sequence that tells us everything we need to know about Carl’s background while engaging and moving the audience without the use of a single word. It uses all of the principles discussed in this article. This is the power of visual storytelling at its best.
