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How to Make a Storyboard Outline

Storyboards play an important role in film and TV production. Storyboards are a combination of image- and text-based cues that convey how a scene is meant to unfold for the viewer. Intended for the production team, such as directors and camera operators, storyboards depict the pivotal moments within a scene frame by frame. For this reason, the storyboard becomes an instrumental tool in ensuring that a story or script is shot in a way that tells the story visually and provides a film crew an easily understood blueprint for shooting.

Things You'll Need

  • Script
  • Storyboard template
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Instructions

    • 1

      Meet with people in charge of the production for which the storyboard is to be used. Walk through the major components of the script such as how many frames are necessary, what the pivotal scenes are, how much detail is necessary, how characters should look, whether the production is widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio) or standard (4:3 aspect ratio) and if there are reference materials available. All of these are ingredients to create your storyboard.

    • 2

      Make notes to yourself on the script during the meeting with the production team. Quickly sketch ideas on another sheet of paper, if possible.

    • 3

      Obtain the storyboard template that fits the size and number of frames you need to create. For example, if you have to create 100 frames for a standard (4:3) story, then use a storyboard template with six or nine frames of that aspect ratio on one sheet.

    • 4

      Create a shot list as an outline for your storyboard. Write a one- to two-line description of the scenes or shots that you are going to storyboard. Number each shot and add the page of the script that it comes from for referencing as you work through the storyboarding.

    • 5

      Draw the first frame of the storyboard as it is described in the first scene of the script or shot list. Create as much detail as is necessary to convey the point of the shot. For example, if the script calls for a close-up of a character with a worried look, then draw that character's worried face in the panel rather than the surroundings or what the character is reacting to. Repeat this step for each shot.

    • 6

      Write a short description for each frame you storyboard, if necessary. This may include dialogue, camera direction or notes to the production team.

Film Production

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