A storyboard is a visual plan outlining each shot or element in a presentation, such as a video, animation, marketing campaign, or sales pitch. Think of it as a comic book version of your project, where each panel shows a different part of the story.
Storyboards break down the action into individual segments, helping you visualize how the video will unfold. You don’t need expensive software to create one; even simple drawings or stick figures on paper can do the job.
Each frame in a commercial storyboard includes important details like subjects, shot types, and intended movements. This visual outline makes it easier for everyone involved in the project to understand the director’s vision. For longer or more complex videos, consider creating a basic shot list to serve as a blueprint for your entire project.
What is storyboarding? How to build a storyboard? What is the best way to storyboard? Let’s find out!
How to Draw a Storyboard: Key Takeaways
- Define Your Objectives: List the goals of your project clearly to ensure your storyboard effectively conveys the intended message and narrative.
- Create a Detailed Script: A solid script is essential for guiding your storyboard, helping to highlight key scenes and critical moments in your story.
- Use Thumbnails and Annotations: Draw thumbnails to visualize each scene and add concise notes that describe actions, dialogue, and camera movements for clarity.
- Review and Collaborate: Gather feedback from your team, make necessary edits, and share your finalized storyboard to align everyone on the project’s vision.
Make a Storyboard Creator: Tips on How to Write a Storyboard
Establish Your Project Objectives
The first step in creating a visual storyboard is to clearly define your project’s objectives. Before diving into the details of your storyboard, take the time to understand the overall purpose of your project. Determine if you are working on a short film, a commercial, a feature-length film, a novel, or even a website design. Knowing what you want to achieve is essential.
Next, focus on the story you wish to tell. Identify the main message or goals you aim to convey through your project. Consider the core purpose of each scene you are boarding. Ask yourself questions like: What do I want the audience to understand? How does this scene move the plot forward? What impact does it have on the characters?
These considerations will guide your decisions about shot choices and camera movement, ensuring your story board ideas effectively communicate your vision. By establishing clear objectives, you set a solid foundation for a successful storyboard that engages your audience and drives your narrative forward.
Write the Script with a Detailed Narrative
Creating a storyboard comprises a solid script. If your project includes storytelling, it’s essential to develop a detailed narrative that outlines dialogue, action, and the sequence of events. Your script should break down key scenes, actions, and transitions that effectively convey your story.
Start by identifying the main scenes in your narrative. A storyboard helps viewers understand how the story will translate into a visual format, so it’s not necessary to illustrate every moment. Instead, focus on key parts that draw the audience in. Think through your story and brainstorm the crucial moments you want to highlight. Ensure you include significant plot developments and turning points, as well as any changes in setting that may occur throughout the story.
When working on a commercial, follow the same approach: choose key images representing the film’s flow. For instance, a typical 30-second commercial may require no more than 15 frames, averaging two seconds per frame.
Next, decide how detailed your storyboard needs to be. While you can create intricate illustrations for each shot, it’s often more practical to start with a broader overview, especially if you’re in the early stages of a longer project. As your film develops, you might break down individual scenes into separate storyboards for clarity.
Each storyboard cell should clearly convey the action in each scene. Write a brief description for each illustration, focusing on essential elements. For example, if you depict a conversation between two characters, consider the emotions they express and any background details that enhance the scene. Ensure that each drawing captures movement or action, making it easier for viewers to understand the story’s progression.
Remember, the storyboard’s purpose is to provide visual clarity and keep everyone aligned. It doesn’t need to be a work of art. Instead, it should be easily understood by directors, cameramen, and others involved in the project. A good storyboard serves as a clear roadmap for your story, helping to ensure a successful production.
Decide Upon the Structure and Format
Creating a winning storyboard involves choosing the right structure and format that fits your project. You can pick from various options like traditional, digital, vertical, horizontal, or animatic formats. The choice will depend on the particular requirements of your project. Additionally, determine how many frames or panels you’ll need to clearly represent each scene, shot, or sequence.
Before diving into creating images or hiring a storyboard artist, think about how you want to present your storyboard format. If you prefer basic sketches, a twelve-panel layout per page might work well. However, if you aim for detailed illustrations, larger frames with fewer panels per page can make a more impactful presentation. This approach is particularly useful if you plan to pitch your project to clients or investors, as impressive visuals can capture their attention.
Next, decide on the medium for your storyboard template. You can create a simple storyboard layout by hand, using a pencil and straightedge to divide a poster board into equal frames, similar to a comic book. Alternatively, you can use software like Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft PowerPoint, or Amazon’s Storyteller to make a digital storyboard base in either vertical or horizontal format. Be sure to draw the frames in the same aspect ratio as your finished video, like 4:3 for TV or 16:9 for films.
For advertising storyboards, use rectangular frames to insert visuals, leaving space for captions that describe the video. Also, include a column for audio, where you can note any dialogue, sounds, or music. If drawing isn’t your strength, consider hiring a storyboard artist. You can describe the action for each frame and provide a written script, and the artist will create black-and-white or color illustrations for you to arrange in order. This structured approach will help ensure your storyboard effectively communicates your vision.
Sketch the Thumbnails
After finalizing your script, it’s time to sketch your thumbnails. Use your narrative as a guide to visualize and draw each scene, character, object, and background for every frame. Pay attention to how you compose each shot, considering elements like framing and camera angles. These choices help convey the mood and emotions of your story.
Decide on the aspect ratio and other settings for your project before you begin drawing. You can choose between two methods for creating your thumbnails. The traditional approach involves hand-drawing each panel. Alternatively, you can use storyboarding software to streamline the process and incorporate pre-existing visuals. You might take your own photos or pull images from TV shows and movies. Just ensure that the visuals clearly communicate your vision.
Regardless of the method you choose, approach your storyboard with purpose and detail. This is your opportunity to make creative and practical decisions without consequences. You can experiment with shot sizes, camera angles, and movements ahead of time. This preparation saves you time and energy when you’re on set.
As you begin drawing your thumbnails, focus on bringing each scene to life. Remember, these storyboard sketches are your rough drafts—don’t worry about perfection. Feel free to erase and redraw as you work through elements like composition, camera angle (high or low), shot type (wide shots, close-ups, etc.), props, and characters. Adjusting these elements will help you create a more dynamic and engaging storyboard.
Incorporate Annotations and Other Details
To create a winning storyboard, it’s important to add clear annotations and details for each frame. Start by including concise notes next to every panel. These notes should describe the action, dialogue, and any camera movements. Make sure to outline how scenes transition from one to another, using terms like cuts or fades. This helps maintain a smooth flow in the narrative.
Next, provide detailed descriptions to clarify the purpose of each panel. You can add shot descriptions, special notes, and any visual annotations that might be helpful.
Additionally, include other essential information beneath or beside each cell. Describe what’s happening in the scene and include the dialogue that will occur. It’s also beneficial to note the length of time each shot will last. Lastly, number the cells for easy reference during discussions about your storyboard with others. By following these steps, you will create a more effective and organized storyboard that clearly communicates your vision.
Review and Edit
Once you’ve completed your storyboard, it’s time to review and edit. Start by seeking feedback from team members, collaborators, or stakeholders. Their insights can help ensure your storyboard aligns with the project’s goals and effectively communicates your vision. Be open to making revisions based on their suggestions, focusing on improving clarity, storytelling, and visual composition.
As you evaluate your storyboard, consider the three-point perspective. Your illustrations don’t need to be artistically perfect, but using some basic techniques can enhance the visual impact. Instead of placing all characters on the same horizontal line, position them in a way that suggests depth. Characters further from the camera should appear smaller and higher on the page, while those closer should be larger and lower. This technique can help your team visualize the shots more clearly, making the filming process smoother.
When reviewing, also think about the motivations behind your cuts. Each transition to a new shot should advance the story and reveal why characters act as they do. For example, cutting from one room to another is more effective if a character looks toward the door when they hear a noise. This approach helps maintain continuity and keeps viewers engaged.
Finally, allow your storyboard to evolve. While it serves as a valuable tool for planning shots, it shouldn’t limit your creativity. Be open to new ideas that arise during filming, and don’t hesitate to revise your storyboard accordingly. Embrace input from your film crew, as their suggestions can lead to improvements you may not have considered. Remember, storyboarding techniques vary among directors—some plan in detail, while others use it as a flexible guide.
Finalize, Share, and Collaborate
After you’ve gathered feedback and made the necessary changes, it’s time to finalize your storyboard. Create a polished version with clean, clear drawings and annotations that capture your creative vision. Review each panel to ensure that it clearly shows the action and conveys your intended message. Don’t hesitate to tweak descriptions and dialogue to enhance clarity. Having someone else check your work can help ensure it flows well and isn’t confusing.
Once you’re satisfied with your storyboard, share it with your team. This includes directors, animators, designers, and anyone else involved in the project. Effective communication is crucial in this phase. Distributing your storyboard allows everyone to understand the concept and offers them the chance to provide valuable input.
If you’re pitching a video concept, share the finalized storyboard with your clients. This helps them visualize your ideas and gives them a chance to weigh in. You might also want to send the storyboard to your actors or models so they know what to expect on set. A simple PDF format often works best for sharing.
Consider adding color to your storyboard, especially for advertising projects. Color can make your ideas stand out and become more engaging. Remember, it’s not necessary for the drawings to be perfect or realistic; simple stick figures can be effective. The key is for the storyboard to make sense to your team and clearly communicate your vision.
Wrap-up: How to Create a Storyboard
Crafting a storyboard is a crucial step in planning your project, whether it’s a video, animation, or marketing campaign. Begin by defining your objectives and understanding the story you want to tell. This helps you focus on key scenes and essential elements that will engage your audience. Next, write a detailed script that outlines the dialogue and actions to guide your visuals. When drawing thumbnails, focus on framing and camera angles that capture the mood of your story.
Incorporate clear annotations for each panel, describing actions, dialogues, and transitions. After drawing, review and edit your work with input from your team to ensure clarity and coherence. Finally, finalize your storyboard with clean visuals and share it with your collaborators. By following these steps, you can create a compelling storyboard that effectively communicates your vision and sets the stage for a successful production.
How to do a Storyboard: FAQs
1. What is a storyboard?
A storyboard is a visual plan outlining each shot in a project, like a video or marketing campaign. It helps visualize how the story will unfold, making it easier for everyone to understand the vision.
2. How do I start creating a storyboard?
Begin by defining your project objectives and writing a detailed script. Identify key scenes and focus on the main message you want to convey. This will guide your choices as you create the storyboard.
3. Do I need special software to create a storyboard?
No, you can create a storyboard using simple sketches or stick figures on paper. If you prefer digital formats, there are various software options available, like Adobe Illustrator or PowerPoint.
4. How can I improve my storyboard?
After completing your storyboard, seek feedback from team members. Review and edit it to enhance clarity and visual composition. This collaboration will help ensure your storyboard effectively communicates your vision.
Craft Your Winning Storyboard with Prezentium
Creating a compelling storyboard is key to delivering a powerful presentation, and Prezentium is here to help. Our Overnight Presentations service ensures you get a polished storyboard ready by the next morning, no matter how tight your deadline. Simply share your ideas by 5:30 PM PST, and our team will work overnight to craft a stunning visual plan tailored to your project, delivered to your inbox the next business day by 9:30 AM PST.
With our Accelerators, we assist you in transforming raw ideas and meeting notes into visually striking storyboards. Our experts will help you choose the right structure, format, and key scenes to highlight, ensuring your storyboard engages your audience.
For those looking to enhance their skills, our Zenith Learning workshops combine structured problem-solving with visual storytelling. We provide the tools and techniques you need to create storyboards, empowering you to communicate your vision clearly. Partner with Prezentium to make your storyboards stand out and elevate your presentations!