When creating a video, the first step is to prepare a storyboard, so that you can bring the script to life and present it to other people. A storyboard is a series of boxes that show the breakdown of the video, illustrating the main scenes: what the setting will look like, who will be there and what the actions will be. It is often used as a template for scenes in movies, music videos, television productions and more, and can be created by hand or by digital means. Read further to learn how to map your story, illustrate keyframes, and fine-tune the storyboard.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Mapping the Story
Step 1. Establish a timeline
The best way to organize the story and bring it to life is to establish the parameters of when and where the story takes place, and then decide in what chronological order the events will happen. If the story is not entirely linear (e.g. there are flashbacks, flash forwards, perspective shift, alternating results, multiple timelines, time travel, and so on) you can always create a narrative timeline.
- Make a list of the main events of the story in the order they will be told and, therefore, how they will appear on the screen.
- If you're storyboarding for a commercial, decide which scenes will be there and in what order.
Step 2. Identify the key scenes
A storyboard is meant to show the viewer the essence of the story, giving them a pretty clear idea of how it will translate into film. The point is not to try to recreate the whole experience in an animated book, but to demonstrate important key points that attract the viewer. Think about the story in detail and make a list of the key moments you want to illustrate in the storyboard.
- Choose scenes that show the story's development from start to finish.
- Turning points are important to show. Whenever there is a twist or major plot change, include it in the storyboard to show the story's evolution.
- You could also point out changes in the setting. If the story starts in one city and moves to another, make sure it's clear in your illustrations.
- If you're storyboarding for an advertisement, the process is no different: take key images that represent the evolution and meaning of the movie from start to finish. As a general guide, keep in mind that for a classic 30 second commercial a storyboard should have no more than 15 frames. Average 2 seconds per frame.
Step 3. Decide how much you want to go into detail
A storyboard can be incredibly detailed, with illustrations outlining each take. If you are in the preliminary stages of a long film, you still have a long way to go to be able to go into detail now. However, you could split the movie into individual scenes with a separate storyboard for each scene. This would allow you to create a very detailed representation of the progression of individual scenes and would be useful when planning for shooting.
- If you are working on a film and are dividing take by take, create what you call a take list. For each shot on the list you will need to think about the composition of the shots and other details about how it will actually be shot.
- Remember that the purpose of the storyboard is to provide visual clarity and give everyone essential information. It doesn't have to be a work of art in itself. Try to be practical when choosing the details to include in the storyboard. You don't want the viewer to get lost trying to interpret the illustrations instead of seeing the big picture.
- A good storyboard is usually understood by anyone at first glance. Potentially a director, cameraman, or scene selector (just to name a few) can refer to the storyboard as a guide.
Step 4. Write a description of each frame
Now that you know which main scenes you want to show, think about how to describe the action in each illustration. Scroll through the list of scenes and write a description of the most important elements for each. This will help decide what to draw for your storyboard.
- For example, you may want a still that depicts a conversation between the two main characters. What do you need to communicate with this image? Are the characters arguing, smiling, or moving to a destination? Some action types should be present in every drawing.
- Take the setting into consideration as well. Is it important to have certain visuals in the background behind the characters?
Part 2 of 3: Designing the Storyboard
Step 1. Decide what medium to use to create the storyboard
You can draw the basic pattern by hand by dividing a cardboard into empty squares of the same size using a pencil and ruler. The structure should be similar to that of a comic, with several cells showing how the scene will look on screen. If you prefer you can use Adobe Illustrator, storyboardthat.com, Microsoft PowerPoint, Amazon's Storyteller or Adobe InDesign to create a storyboard template in portrait or landscape format.
- The size of the cells should be drawn in relation to the final video, for example 4: 3 for a TV screen or 16: 9 for a film. You can purchase special preview sheets with this size.
- A storyboard template for advertising should be done in rectangular boxes in which to place the views. If you want to include captions, make sure there is enough space to put the video descriptions. There should also be a column for audio, in which to include dialogue, sounds and music.
- If you need to storyboard for more than one project, you need a good Wacom ™ tablet so you can work directly in Photoshop.
- If you don't want to create the images yourself, you could hire a storyboard artist to provide you with the drawings. You will describe what happens in each box and give the artist the script to work on. The artist will provide you with black and white or color frames that you can scan into the cardboard in sequence.
Step 2. Make a draft of the previews
First, bring the scenes to life by drawing the sketches you mapped into the model. This is just a rough draft, don't make it perfect. As you sketch each scene, enhance the following elements, erasing and redrawing as often necessary:
- Composition (light, foreground / background, color range, etc.).
- Camera angle (low or high).
- Type of shot (wide, close-up, over the shoulder, tracking shot, etc.).
- Objects in boxes.
- Actors (people, animals, cartoon talking sofas… anything that acts).
- Special effects.
Step 3. Add other important information
Next to or below each cell add a description of what happens in the scene. Enter the dialogue. Add information about the shooting duration. Finally, number the cells so it's easier to get references when discussing the storyboard with others.
Step 4. Complete the storyboard
Once you have identified the key points of the subject and worked out a blueprint for each panel, review your work and make final changes. Make sure each cell portrays the action you want. Touch up the descriptions and dialogue if necessary. It's a good idea to have someone else see the storyboard to make sure it flows well and isn't unclear.
- Consider adding colors. If you are creating an advertising storyboard, this will help develop your idea.
- Remember that it is not important that the drawings appear realistic or perfect. Depending on the audience, representative figures are sufficient. In most cases, storyboards don't have to be perfect, they just need to make sense to the team.
Part 3 of 3: Retouching the Storyboard
Step 1. Think of a three vanishing point perspective
While your storyboard illustrations don't have to look like they were created by a professional artist, there are a few tricks you can use to make images look like scenes from a movie. It's not mandatory, but it can help the people you work with to see the shot more clearly.
- Instead of drawing all the characters as if they were on a horizontal line, put them in perspective. Place some a little further away from the camera and some closer. Those far away should appear smaller, with their feet at the top of the page, those closer should appear larger, with their feet at the bottom of the page.
- When it's time to translate the storyboard into film, you'll have better ideas on how to direct the shoot.
Step 2. Motivate the cuts
As you storyboard the film, think about the reasons for each cut made at each take. To move forward with the story, it is not possible to simply skip to the next plot point, but one must provide a reason why the actions and events occur. Storyboarding the reasons for the cuts will help you understand how to build tension and keep the story going when you need to make the film.
- For example, if you want to cut the shot to go from one room to another, have the character look towards the door because he hears a noise.
- This will help the continuity of the story and keep the observer engaged.
Step 3. Let your storyboard transform over time
The storyboard can be an amazing tool to have on hand while shooting and directing the film. However, relying on the storyboard alone could be limiting. While filming, you can come up with ideas for scenes you haven't thought of before. Allow yourself to deviate from the storyboard or at least revise it, in order to make the production process a little more organic.
- Remember to accept the ideas of others as you go, especially if you work with a troupe of talented professionals. A storyboard is designed to be changed and improved along the way with ideas you haven't thought of on your own.
- Most directors have a different style when it comes to storyboards. Some map any detail, others use it only as a guide.
Advice
- If you don't know how to draw, there is a program available that will help you create storyboards by selecting and inserting objects from a library.
- Storyboards are not just for planning the shooting of a video; they can also be useful for illustrating a sequence of actions or designing complex websites.
