The Fundamentals of Storyboarding

A Visual Guide for Beginners

What Is a Storyboard?

A storyboard is a visual representation of a film sequence that breaks down the action into individual panels. It's essentially a series of drawings that show the sequence of shots planned for your film or video.

Invented in Walt Disney Studios in the 1930s, storyboarding has become an essential part of the filmmaking process for both animation and live-action productions.

A storyboard helps you:

  • Visualize your film before shooting
  • Plan camera angles, movements, and shots
  • Create visual continuity
  • Communicate your vision to your team
  • Save time and resources during production
Star Wars Storyboard Example

Star Wars storyboard panels showing the detailed planning of shots

Why Storyboarding Matters in Filmmaking

Vision Planning

"The storyboard for me is the way to visualize the entire movie in advance." - Martin Scorsese

Cost Efficiency

Directors like the Coen brothers storyboard everything to avoid shooting unnecessary footage, saving time and money.

Team Communication

"You can save all the usual problems ahead of shooting by working with a good artist and a floor plan." - J Todd Anderson

Examples from Famous Films

Psycho (1960) - Storyboards by Saul Bass

Psycho Storyboard

Alfred Hitchcock was known for meticulous planning. He claimed to see a film completely in his mind before shooting, and storyboards helped him communicate this vision to his team.

Jurassic Park (1993) - Storyboards by Dave Lowry

Jurassic Park Storyboard

Steven Spielberg uses storyboards extensively for complex sequences. For the iconic raptor kitchen scene in Jurassic Park, detailed storyboards helped plan the integration of CGI dinosaurs with practical sets.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) - Storyboards by Mark Sexton

Mad Max Fury Road Storyboard

George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road was written in storyboards rather than a traditional script. With over 3,500 panels, the film was meticulously planned visually first, helping to create its revolutionary action sequences.

The Matrix - Storyboard Example

The Matrix Storyboard

The Wachowskis used detailed storyboards for The Matrix to plan their groundbreaking visual effects sequences like "bullet time" before the technology was even finalized.

Best Beginner Tutorials

How to draw A-grade storyboards

Learn how to create effective storyboards even if you're not an artist, focusing on conveying information rather than artistic perfection.

Intro to Storyboarding

RocketJump Film School explains the basics of what storyboards are used for, different formats, and alternatives if you don't want to draw.

How to storyboard like a pro!

A quick and practical guide to storyboarding basics, including how to show camera movement and plan complicated action sequences.

How to Start Your Own Storyboard

Essential Elements

  1. Panel Size & Format: Choose a frame ratio that matches your final output (16:9 for most videos)
  2. Shot Composition: Draw characters small for wide shots, large for close-ups
  3. Camera Movement: Use arrows to indicate pans, tilts, dollies, and zooms
  4. Scene Information: Number your shots and scenes
  5. Sound & Dialogue: Note audio elements beneath frames
  6. Transitions: Indicate how shots connect (cuts, fades, dissolves)

Tips for Beginners

  • Don't worry about artistic skills: "A good storyboard is one that you can watch" - focus on conveying information, not creating art
  • Use simple shapes: Stick figures and basic shapes work just fine
  • Label everything: If your drawing isn't clear, add text labels
  • Include important details: Note lighting, camera angles, and key actions
  • Think visually: Break down the script into visual moments
  • Use references: Look at other storyboards for inspiration

Example Storyboarding Process

1

Identify Key Scenes

Break your script into critical sequences that need visualization

2

Create Rough Sketches

Draw simple thumbnails to establish the basic composition

3

Add Movement & Detail

Include camera movements, actions, and technical notes

4

Review & Refine

Check if your storyboard effectively communicates your vision

Download a Free Storyboard Template

Professional Storyboard Template

Start creating your storyboards with this professional template. Download, print, and begin planning your shots.

Download Free Template

Tools and Resources

Digital Tools

  • StudioBinder - Free storyboarding software
  • Adobe Photoshop with storyboard templates
  • Procreate (for iPad users)
  • Storyboard That - Online storyboard creator
  • Boords - Professional storyboarding platform

Traditional Materials

  • Printed storyboard templates
  • Pencils and erasers
  • Fine-tip markers for finishing
  • Light table (for tracing)
  • Scanner (to digitize paper storyboards)

Further Learning

  • Book: "The Art of Storyboarding" by John Hart
  • Book: "Prepare to Board!" by Nancy Beiman
  • StudioBinder's storyboarding guides
  • Film school courses on pre-visualization
  • Study storyboards from films you admire