Make a sequence breakdown of the script so you can divide the different scenes into single shots that should be drawn in the order they appear on screen. A sequence is a group of scenes that refer to a particular activity done by a character or group of characters in a single location. For instance, a movie’s opening sequence might be on a football field with the main characters playing a championship game. A sequence breakdown should include the sequence number, a short text summary describing what happens in the sequence and a list of the characters, props and possible special effects, the time frame (day or night) and the location of each sequence.
Prepare the storyboard format to use. This will include the left side of each page filled with at least two or three rectangular boxes arranged vertically on a column. This is the space where the shots will be drawn. The right side is filled with lines or empty spaces where texts will be written. If you prefer to make the storyboard using a computer via an image-editing program and not by drawing each shot by hand, you don’t need to print the format for the storyboard documents -- you only need to print the final storyboard once it’s done.
Use the sequence breakdown to draw each shot from the very first to the very last shot of the film. Draw each shot on the designated rectangular box on the left side of the document. Label each shot based on the sequence number to show where it belongs on the script and include a shot number; this number usually refers to the chronological order of how your shots appear on the story.
Describe the drawing for each shot to provide additional explanation of how the shot would progress. Write your description opposite the drawing it refers to. Use the designated space located on the right side of the document. For instance, you can include any crucial visual or sound effects as a description. If you are shooting on a green screen background, you can mention that as part of your notes. If your actor should enter and exit the frame at specific parts of the shot, or if the light should be suddenly turned off during the shot, you can also include those in your text description.
Make a shot list based on your storyboard. This includes the shot number and shooting schedule for each shot, preferably on a per-shooting-day basis. Some also use a shooting board, which is more like a shot list with the storyboard cut and pasted -- not in chronological order anymore -- but according to the order the shots will be filmed. Print out copies of these documents before the shoot and distribute them to the different members of the production team.
Set up the first shot you need to film, basing it on your shot list/shooting board and storyboard. This way, the entire production will have a visual idea of how the shot will look on camera, from the blocking of the actor to the props and sets appearing on the shot.
Cross out each shot on the shot list/shooting board and storyboard after shooting it. This way, you will have a visual guide of how many more shots you need to finish filming.