{ "project": { "title": "Night School", "type": "TV storyboard adaptation", "sourceMaterial": "YA novels by CJ Daugherty", "director": "Jack Jewers", "previousAdaptation": "YouTube series", "commissioned": true, "yearCommissioned": 2016, "artist": "Rory J Murphy", "storyboardType": "Pencilled", "thumbnail": "https://www.roryjmurphy.com/images/night-school-thumbnail-600-600.jpg", "projectStatus": "Completed", "productionNotes": "Adaptation for US TV pilot", "frames": [ { "frameNumber": 1, "frameTitle": "Arrival at Classroom - Wide Shot", "frameType": "wide shot", "description": "The protagonist enters the classroom; establishing shot showing entire class.", "imageURL": "https://www.roryjmurphy.com/images/night-school-storyboard-tv-frame-arrival-classroom-intro-wide-shot-01-crop-u252601.jpg", "sceneContext": "Pilot episode, first classroom scene", "emotionalBeats": ["curiosity", "anticipation"], "motionNotes": null, "linkedFrames": [2, 3] }, { "frameNumber": 2, "frameTitle": "Kinetic Throwing Motion - Dynamic", "frameType": "kinetic/action", "description": "A dynamic action shot capturing the energy of a thrown object; conveys movement and tension.", "imageURL": "https://www.roryjmurphy.com/images/night-school-storyboard-tv-frame-burst-kinetic-scene-throwing-motion-dynamic-02-crop-u252605.jpg", "sceneContext": "Action sequence within classroom", "emotionalBeats": ["shock", "urgency"], "motionNotes": "Strong directional motion lines; exaggerated dynamics", "linkedFrames": [1, 3] }, { "frameNumber": 3, "frameTitle": "Character Key Expression - Close-up Curious Look", "frameType": "close-up", "description": "Focus on character's face showing curiosity and intrigue.", "imageURL": "https://www.roryjmurphy.com/images/night-school-storyboard-tv-frame-character-key-expression-closeup-curious-look-03-crop-u252593.jpg", "sceneContext": "Reaction to classroom events", "emotionalBeats": ["curiosity"], "motionNotes": null, "linkedFrames": [1, 2, 4] }, { "frameNumber": 4, "frameTitle": "Character Reaction - Emotional Shift", "frameType": "close-up", "description": "Emotional response to a plot development, showing a subtle shift in expression.", "imageURL": "https://www.roryjmurphy.com/images/night-school-storyboard-tv-frame-character-reaction-emotional-response-shift-04-crop-u252595.jpg", "sceneContext": "Character reacts to classroom incident", "emotionalBeats": ["surprise", "concern"], "motionNotes": null, "linkedFrames": [3, 5] }, { "frameNumber": 5, "frameTitle": "Critical Moment - Group Reveal Climax", "frameType": "wide shot / dramatic", "description": "Climactic group reveal with multiple characters, heightening tension.", "imageURL": "https://www.roryjmurphy.com/images/night-school-storyboard-tv-frame-critical-moment-group-reveal-climax-05-crop-u252583.jpg", "sceneContext": "Climax of classroom sequence", "emotionalBeats": ["shock", "anticipation", "curiosity"], "motionNotes": "Staggered character positioning for visual impact", "linkedFrames": [4, 6] }, { "frameNumber": 6, "frameTitle": "Scene Continuity - Dialogue Link Transition", "frameType": "medium shot", "description": "Scene continuity shot linking dialogue between characters.", "imageURL": "https://www.roryjmurphy.com/images/night-school-storyboard-tv-frame-scene-continuity-dialogue-link-transition-06-crop-u252603.jpg", "sceneContext": "Dialogue interaction following climax", "emotionalBeats": ["engagement", "focus"], "motionNotes": "Camera follows conversational rhythm", "linkedFrames": [5, 7] }, { "frameNumber": 7, "frameTitle": "Scene Focus Detail - Close-up", "frameType": "close-up/detail", "description": "Close-up detail emphasizing object or character expression.", "imageURL": "https://www.roryjmurphy.com/images/night-school-storyboard-tv-frame-scene-focus-detail-frame-closeup-07-crop-u252585.jpg", "sceneContext": "Detail shot for narrative emphasis", "emotionalBeats": ["attention", "curiosity"], "motionNotes": null, "linkedFrames": [6] }, { "frameNumber": 8, "frameTitle": "Scene Focus Detail - Close-up (Alternate)", "frameType": "close-up/detail", "description": "Another close-up detail emphasizing subtle character expression.", "imageURL": "https://www.roryjmurphy.com/images/night-school-storyboard-tv-frame-scene-focus-detail-frame-closeup-07-crop-u252587.jpg", "sceneContext": "Additional close-up for continuity and emphasis", "emotionalBeats": ["contemplation"], "motionNotes": null, "linkedFrames": [7] }, { "frameNumber": 9, "frameTitle": "Storyboard Breakdown Shot", "frameType": "breakdown / composite", "description": "Storyboard breakdown showing layout and beat direction for episode sequence.", "imageURL": "https://www.roryjmurphy.com/images/night-school-storyboard-breakdown-shot-storyboard-tv-pilot-02-crop-u252597.jpg", "sceneContext": "Overall episode planning reference", "emotionalBeats": ["planning"], "motionNotes": "Frame sequencing guidance", "linkedFrames": [] }, { "frameNumber": 10, "frameTitle": "Beat Direction - Emotional Storyboard", "frameType": "emotional / direction", "description": "Storyboard frame emphasizing emotional beats and timing of reactions.", "imageURL": "https://www.roryjmurphy.com/images/night-school-storyboard-beat-direction-emotional-storyboard-04-704x1000-crop-u252599.jpg", "sceneContext": "Emotional timing reference", "emotionalBeats": ["tension", "anticipation"], "motionNotes": "Focus on character reaction pacing", "linkedFrames": [] } ] } }
Location
London, UK
Director
Jack Jewers
Brief
Create storyboard to assist the director in visualising his Night School series, which was under option by US television network. The series is an adaptation of CJ Dougherty's Night School young adult book series centreing around Cimerria boarding school and a conspiracy plot that weave around the school and it's pupils.
As an experienced storyboard artist specializing in television development, I created comprehensive pre-production storyboards for the Night School TV series adaptation. This young adult book-to-screen project follows Allie, a troubled teen whose destructive behavior after her brother's death leads to a break-in at school with friend Mark. When caught by police, her parents send her to the mysterious Cimmeria Academy boarding school, where personal drama transforms into supernatural thriller - perfect material for YA television audiences and network television pitches.
My detailed storyboarding process focused on character development visualization, pacing for television, and tone establishment crucial for major network presentations. Each storyboard frame was crafted to demonstrate the series' visual potential and narrative structure, providing production teams with clear pre-production materials that bridge concept to screen-ready content. This television adaptation storyboard work showcases how thorough visual storytelling serves as essential development material for directors and producers evaluating YA series adaptations.
“...The series is focused on Allie Sheridan who discovers herself when she’s sent to Cimmeria Academy, a unique boarding school in southern England
This comprehensive storyboard project for the Night School television adaptation captures the story of Allie, distressed by her brother's death and acting out through destructive behavior, culminating in breaking into school with friend Mark and getting caught by police. This incident convinces her parents to send her to boarding school for stability, where the seemingly strict Cimmeria Academy harbors hidden secrets. As a professional storyboard artist specializing in YA television development, I developed detailed pre-production visuals that showcase the transformation from personal drama to supernatural thriller, creating compelling network pitch materials for this young adult series adaptation.
My detailed television storyboarding approach focused on conveying tone, pacing, and character dynamics essential for major network presentations. The storyboard frames were designed to communicate narrative structure and visual storytelling potential of the YA novel adaptation, providing production teams with screen-ready presentation materials. This television development project demonstrates how thorough pre-production storyboard work serves as a bridge between concept and final production, ensuring clear and compelling visual development for directors and producers evaluating TV series adaptations.