50+ Best Storyboard Examples

A storyboard is a preliminary visual representation of your scene, film, commercial, music video, etc. It's a way for the director, cast, and crew to plan out each shot and know what it should look like, and how it will fit into the context of the sequence.

The storyboarding process can range between simple and thorough, depending on your skills as an artist, and the scope of the project. But no matter what approach you take, there are are some essential steps to keep in mind.

1. Get yourself a blank storyboard template
2. Read the script and visualize the shots in your head
3. Sketch each panel to represent each shot or setup
4. Note shot size, camera movement, camera angle specs
5. Add descriptions to give each image context and clarity
6. Insert arrows to indicate character or camera movement
7. Save your work and present it to the cast and crew

Your storyboard can be a basic and straightforward or as detailed and intricate as you want. It's a tool for you and your crew to be fully prepared for the shoot. But most storyboards would include the following essential elements:

• A frame representing each shot or setup in your scene
• A description with notes and shot specs
• Scene numbers and shot numbers
• Text and arrow annotations to clarify movement

The 180-Degree rule in storyboarding is there to ensure that your scene maintains a consistent geography from shot to shot. This means that if you established your "camera" to the right of Character A and to the left of Character B, every subsequent shot should be on that same side. Otherwise, jumping back and forth "across the line," will confuse audiences.

The most simple storyboard you can do is to draw a rectangle frame and a stick figure inside. It might seem silly to have such rudimentary and almost childish drawings as your storyboards but the skill of the artist is secondary to the intention of the filmmaker. If your stick figures give the camera crew, the stunt team, and the actors a basic idea of what you're looking for, that's all that matters.

Storyboards can include whatever helps you and your team communicate about the shots you're after. That being said, there are 5 important elements you'll find on just about every storyboard.

1. The frame, typically accurate to the eventual aspect ratio of the shot
2. A drawing, photo, or movie still reference for each shot
3. Scene and shot numbers to keep everything organized
4. Notes and descriptions for context and clarity
5. Text and arrows on the image to indicate character or camera movement

One of the most common storyboarding mistakes is to include dialogue in the image and/or the description. A compromise might be a description of what's being said to help give the shot context but that's it. Another mistake would be to not label your shots in sequence — make sure each panel has a scene and shot number so even if the images got rearranged, we would still know where it goes.

Yes, absolutely. Luckily for most people who can't draw very well, storyboarding is a rather forgiving medium. Quick sketches and stick figures can be just as effective at getting your point across.