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How to Create a Video Storyboard

Filmmakers and videographers create visuals called "storyboards" to plan and preview their movie, video, commercial, or animation shot by shot. The result resembles the panels of a comic strip or comic book -- with the story played out visually panel by panel. Each frame shows what the characters are doing, how they are moving and what they are saying. The storyboard artist stipulates the time intervals that are to separate each frame and he also specifies the camera movements, framing and distance. Developing a storyboard before producing the film or video allows the creator to make changes and eliminate potential mistakes before beginning the considerably more expensive step of actual production. The artist also can use a good storyboard to obtain any needed approvals and receive feedback from other professionals.

Things You'll Need

  • Thumbnail sheets
  • Storyboard templates
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Instructions

    • 1

      Walk through the script with the director and producer. Discuss the purpose of each scene and ascertain how they plan to execute it.

    • 2

      Divide each scene into frames. Decide on the camera movements, panning and zoom for each frame.

    • 3

      Confer about the onscreen action and the dialogue, as well as the cast and their respective parts. Analyze the needs of the set designer and other crew members. Discuss what will be in the foreground and background in all important scenes.

    • 4

      Determine whether the format is to be 4:3, 16:9 or 2.35:1. This is also the time to consider budgetary restraints. Much of the costs of the production are incurred or avoided in the story boarding process. Get the producer's views on spending limits and pick his brain about the "production values" that he is willing to uphold.

    • 5

      Document all the essential details that have been shared about the script -- your views and others' as well. During the discussion use a thumbnail sheet to create rough sketches of how the storyboard will look.

    • 6

      Use storyboard templates to map out your storyboard. You can draw in pen or pencil, and add color if you wish.

    • 7

      Take photos, use pictures from magazines or graphic images on a computer if you are not proficient at drawing.

Film Production

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