'Straight Outta Compton': How Filmmakers Visualized the Detroit Riot Scene (Exclusive)

Storyboards are an essential tool for filmmakers, allowing directors and cinematographers to conceptualize a scene before cameras roll, especially when an action-heavy sequence needs to be presented in a way that makes sense for the audience. For one of this summer’s biggest hits, Straight Outta Compton, Jeffrey Errico (no relation to this author) was brought in to visualize one of film’s key sequences: The Detroit riot sparked at an N.W.A. concert when the band performed “F–k tha Police” in direct violation of police orders. His boards manage to map the action in a way that reveals Errico’s onetime desire to be a comic illustrator. Page through for an excerpt of the original storyboards for that scene, along with the artist’s commentary. Warning: this slideshow contains material that some readers might find objectionable.
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Jeffrey Errico, a.k.a. StoryboardGuru, has worked on such films as Terminator Genisys, 22 Jump Street, This Is the End, Neighbors, and Snow White and the Huntsman and also leads storyboarding workshops. Follow him on Facebook and Instagram.