Story Board

Click Here for Actual Film Clip of "Shakespeare in Love"

1

 

Pan shot to the right, revealing castle where Lady Viola lives.

Mood music plays.
2 Pan shot to the left with zooming in as Lady Viola enters. Music continues. An owl whoos. Viola says "Romeo, Romeo. A young man of Verona. A comedy by William Shakespeare."
Shakespeare (voice off screen) says, "My lady!"
Viola gasps and says "Who's there?"
3 Pan to the right at the same speed as Shakespeare who emerges from the bushes to speak to Lady Viola. Shakespeare says, "Will Shakespeare."
4 Low angle shot to reveal balcony and literal height difference as well as to demonstrate her higher ranking in society.

(Off Screen: Nurse says, "Madam!")

Viola says "Anon, good nurse. Anon. Master Shakespeare?"

Pan to the left as Shakespeare moves. High angle shot to display literal height difference and lower ranking in society. Shakespeare says, "The same. Alas."
Same stationary low angle shot but zoomed in more to illustrate how Shakespeare is working his way closer to her thorugh his words. Viola says, "But why alas?"
7 Stationary high angle shot. Shakespeare says, "I am but a lowly player."
Viola says (off screen), "Alas, indeed."
8 Same stationary low angle shot from before. Viola says, But the highest poet in my esteem, and the writer of plays that capture my heart."
9 Pan shot to follow Shakespeare as he moves closer to Viola. Shakespeare says, "Oh! I am him too."
10 Close up of Viola. Less of a low angle shot to illustrate not only how Shakespeare is moving himself closer to her, but to diminish the society standing dividing them.

(Nurse's voice off screen: "Madam?")

Viola says, "Anon! (To Shakesperae in a whisper) I will come again."

11 Level shot of Shakespeare, again diminishing the societal ranking. The shot follows him as he moves. Shakespeare says, "Oh, I am Fortune's fool. I will be punished for this."
12 Low angle shot to illustrate her power once more since she was previously called back into her palace. Viola gasps out of breath from rushing back. She peers over the balcony searching for Shakespeare.
13 Pan shot follows Shakespeare with a closeup as he despeartely tries to win Lady Viola's heart. Shakespeare says, "Oh my lady! ..."
14 The closest close-up yet of Viola to show how Shakespeare has indeed captured her heart.

(Shakespeare continues talking off screen: "...My Love!")

Viola says, "Oh, if they find you here they will kill you!."

15 Though a high angle shot, its a close up Shakespeare. Shakespeare says, "You can bring them with a word."
16 Close up of Viola before she heads back inside where she is being called.

Viola says, "Oh, not for the world!"

(Nurse's voice offscreen: "Madam?!")

Viola says, "Anon!" and exits.

17 Stationary wide angle as Shakespeare moves out of frame. Shakespeare runs to the wall. Mood music plays.
18 Pan up as Shakespeare climbs up towards Viola's balcony. Shakespeare begins to climb. Mood music plays.
19 Close up of Shakespeare as the pan shot continues up to illustrate how he has almost reached Viola's window. Mood music plays...
20 Cut to the outside of the balcony looking into Violas room as the Nurse enters. Stationary shot. Music picks up pace to increase suspense of what's about to happen.
21 Continuation of upward pan shot as Nurse and Shakespeare prepare to unexpectedly meet. Music gets faster. Shakespeare grunts as he reaches the top, tired.
22 Close up of Shakespeare screaming in shock/terror. Shakespeare screams. Music continues to play.
23 Close up of Nurse screaming in terror/shock. Nurse screams. Music continues to play.
24 Extreme low angle shot as Shakespeare falls, illustrating his reality check regarding societal ranking. Nurse continues to scream.
25 Stationary shot as Shakespeare falls into frame. Nurse continues to scream, Shakespeare grunts as he lands, and music continues to play.
26 Close up of Nurse still screaming. Nurse continues to scream as music plays.
27 Stationary shot. Shakespeare rolls out of frame. Leaves rustle and Shakespeare slightly grunts as he rolls out of bushes. Nurse continues to scream as music plays.
28 Stationary wide angle shot with Shakespeare running into the frame from the right and then running straight forward as he is being pursued by palace guards. Music gets louder, but the nurse can still be heard screaming. Shakespeare is heard panting out of breath as he r uns for his life.

 

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