A storyboard template helps you plan what viewers will see before filming or animating. Each panel represents a shot or key moment, with notes for action, dialogue and camera direction. Start with rough sketches: the sequence needs to be understandable, not polished.
What is a storyboard?
A storyboard refers to a graphic illustration of one's video unfolding, shot by shot. Generally, you will see several squares with images and illustrations representing a single frame. Along with the images, there are notes on what's happening in a particular scene and the dialogue for every shot. For some, it looks like a comic book of your script.
For a longer video, begin with the scenes where timing, movement or a visual transition needs explanation. A template keeps those panels consistent while the sequence is still changing.
Storyboards are used in film, animation, advertising and other visual projects to discuss a sequence before producing it. Their value is practical: collaborators can point to a panel and identify what needs to change.
Storyboard use cases
The level of detail depends on the project. These uses call for different notes alongside the drawings:
Filmmaking Storyboard
For a film scene, sketch the important shots in order and note action, framing and movement. The director, camera team and editor can use the sequence to discuss coverage before filming.
Advertising videos Storyboard
For an advertisement, map the opening, product demonstration, message and final call to action. Mark voiceover and on-screen text so the editor can check whether they fit the planned running time.
Comic books Storyboard
Storyboards generally look like comic books. However, the storyboard template is essential in completing your comic book, especially if you're working on graphic novels. Besides the flow of the story, storyboarding allows comic creators to decide the comic layout, including what to include in each panel or box and the possible missing tasks before the main work starts. The key is to draw small sketches of the events you want to include in the comic book and put them in order.
Presentations Storyboard
A storyboard is beneficial to illustrate the presentation you want to achieve. You'll probably make presentations through slides, but it can be helpful to create the overall concept of your presentation through a storyboard template before transferring it into slides. A few things to consider when formulating the presentation storyboard include the context, audience, and purpose.
Animation Storyboard
Like how it's done in films and series, animations use storyboarding to convey the story close to the concept of the animation. It's one of the primary steps during the pre-production stage. While creating storyboards for animations, it's where scripts are translated into visuals. You can use storyboarding software to generate illustrations for the overall concept of the animations quickly.
Graphics Storyboard
Motion graphics and infographics also start from a storyboard template. Graphic designers generally visualize concepts and ideas before producing graphics. The storyboard allows you to see the overall picture of what the designs look like after completion. Creating graphic designs without planning is prone to revisions you don't want, as some projects can take longer. Like fashion designers have sketchbooks, you can also trust a storyboard template for better visualization.
UX design Storyboard
In UX design, a storyboard shows a person in a situation: what they need, what they try and what happens next. Base the scenario on research where available, and use the panels to identify assumptions that need testing.
Benefits of using a storyboard template
A storyboard is especially useful when a sequence is hard to explain in words or expensive to change during production.
Visualize and organize your story
It's a visual aid that illustrates the step-by-step process of achieving your final content. Also, the storyboard template lets you and other stakeholders see the project's vision. As you already know, a few people might need help understanding concepts. Since the storyboard follows the chronological sequence of events, you can ensure that it's easier to grasp the central concept of the content.
Aids planning shots and sequences
The storyboard template includes small boxes or panels where you illustrate your desired shot or frame. It serves as your guide as you start the production stage. The order of the shots is also laid out on the storyboard, so you only have to refer to it to avoid forgetting the needed shots for the content. Most production teams even include the type of shot they want for a specific frame.
Saves time and money
Reviewing sketches can reveal a missing shot or confusing transition before filming. That can reduce avoidable rework, although the time and cost saved depend on the production.
Facilitates collaboration between creative team members
Content creation is always a team effort. The pre-production stage, where storyboarding usually happens, involves brainstorming among team members to create a clear and precise storyboard for the project.
Guidelines for using the storyboard template (in Boardmix)
Use the template to plan the sequence first, then add the detail needed by the people producing it.
Break down the story into scenes and shots
Choose a scene from the script and make a shot list. For example: a wide shot establishes the room, a close-up shows a phone notification, and a reaction shot shows the character’s response. Give each shot its own panel.
Use visual and textual cues to describe the action and dialogue
Sketch or add a reference image to each panel. Below it, describe the visible action and any dialogue or voiceover. Use arrows for movement and distinguish a character moving across the frame from the camera moving.
Keep it simple and understandable
Remember not to overwhelm your illustration as much as you want your storyboard to be coherent. It might defeat the purpose of creating the storyboard template to get a clear look at the overall content. Also, keep your phrases understandable for everyone. You can include jargon that is accepted and understood by your team.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Storyboard on Boardmix
1. Log in to Boardmix
Begin by logging into your Boardmix account. If you do not have an account, create one by following the registration prompts on the website.
2. Create a New Board
Create a board in your Boardmix workspace and name it for the video or scene. Keep the script or brief nearby as a reference.
3. Choose a Storyboard Template
Navigate to the "Templates" section and search for storyboard templates. Select a template that suits your needs.
4. Customize Your Template
Start adding your ideas, concepts, or plans in the form of text, images, or icons to each storyboard cell. Each cell should represent a single idea or point in your story or plan.
5. Add Detailed Information
Add the shot number, action and relevant audio beneath each panel. For example: “S1.2 — close-up of the phone; notification sound; no dialogue.” Include duration only when it helps the edit.
6. Reorder Your Cells (Optional)
If you need to change the sequence of events or ideas, simply drag and drop the cells to their new positions.
7. Collaborate (Optional)
If you are working in a team, invite your teammates to collaborate. They can access the storyboard and contribute by adding, modifying, or commenting on the cells.
8. Save and Share Your Storyboard
Once you're satisfied with your storyboard, you share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button and copying the link provided.
FAQ about the storyboard template
What are the key elements of a storyboard?
In most cases, you'll have to deal with five essential storyboard elements. See the below.
- Shot and scene. You must break down your story into scenes to quickly identify them in the storyboard. Every scene has assigned numbers and titles, like 'Opening Scene, S1', and every shot within that scene also has numbers. You can assign them S1.4 for scene one, shot four, and so on until you finish all the shots for scene one.
- Panel. You can also refer to this element as the squares you see in a storyboard template. It refers to one action or moment in your template. Every drawing has its panel.
- Sequence: a connected series of shots that develops an action or idea. It can span more than one scene; a scene usually groups action within a particular setting and time.
- Description. This refers to the description of each panel where the storyboard creator can place additional text or context clues of the drawing. The description will tell what's happening for every panel. They can include dialogues and actions.
- Framing and camera movement: specify what matters for that shot. “Wide shot” and “close-up” describe framing; “pan” and “dolly” describe movement. A static shot does not need a movement instruction.
How do you use a storyboard effectively?
Every video or film production has its best practices for creating an effective storyboard. Before making your storyboard template, you should refer to some of the standard points below.
- You must define your goals, including a good grasp of what you hope to achieve with your video content. With concise goals, you can create informed decisions while working on the storyboard template. Consider your target audience and the message you wish to convey with your content—furthermore, the channel or medium where you'll release your content matters.
- Brainstorming will be an integral part of your storyboard. Since content creation involves a team, ensure to ask for ideas from everyone on the team and consult them on ways to create a compelling story. You can list all the ideas that come to mind and choose among those that will benefit your content. The characters, theme, setting, and props are a few things to consider here.
- Approach someone for a second opinion. They can help you identify whether the storyboard communicates efficiently. If you discover some insights you wish to add to the board, you can make the necessary revisions.
