A deep dive into a century of narrative visualization at Fondazione Prada, showcasing a century's worth of storyboarding innovations.
In the heart of Milan, Fondazione Prada's Osservatorio is currently hosting an intriguing exhibition titled "A Kind of Language: Storyboards and Other Renderings." This unique showcase, curated by Melissa Harris, offers a rare glimpse into the creative minds of some of the most renowned filmmakers in history.
The exhibition emphasises the significance of storyboards as a tool for filmmakers to realise their vision before other forces of filmmaking shape it into the final product. For many directors, the storyboard is where their vision of the film takes form, a blueprint that guides the entire production process.
The exhibition features an array of preparatory materials from various filmmakers, including Martin Scorsese, Ingmar Bergman, Agnès Varda, Hitchcock, Hayao Miyazaki, Sophia Coppola, Spielberg, and more. Visitors can find Scorsese's drawings for the film "Raging Bull," Fellini's sketches for "Amarcord," and pieces from Matthew Barney, among others.
Each storyboard in the exhibition is presented on a drafting desk-like table, mimicking the workstation of a storyboard artist or director, adding to the sense of a work in progress. The exhibit's set design by Andrea Faraguna aims to evoke the sense of discovery and exploration that comes with encountering the work of a storyboard artist or director.
Harris, the curator, wanted to make a show about storyboards because it's a subject that is rarely discussed and because it's a human process that facilitates collaboration and communication. She hopes that visitors to the show appreciate the human and visual process of joining forces to realise a vision, in addition to enjoying the exhibition.
The process of collecting and choosing material for the exhibition was about diversity of sensibilities and approaches, moving through the 20th century into the present. The exhibit celebrates the initial idea of a project, rather than its finished product.
"A Kind of Language: Storyboards and Other Renderings" will be on display at Fondazione Prada's Osservatorio until 8 September 2025. For those interested in the creative process behind some of the most iconic films, this exhibition is not to be missed.
For more information about the exhibition, please visit fondazioneprada.org.
