Storyboard
A sequence of illustrated panels that maps out the visual narrative of a video, ad, or animation before production.
Why It Matters
Storyboards save time and money by catching creative issues before you start filming or animating.
How It Works
Each panel represents a key scene or shot, annotated with camera direction, dialogue, on-screen text, and timing. The team reviews the storyboard to align on creative direction before committing to production.
Real-World Example
A storyboard for a 30-second product ad shows six panels: hook shot, problem scene, product intro, demo, testimonial, and CTA card.
Common Mistakes
Skipping storyboarding for "simple" videos that end up needing reshoots
Making storyboards too detailed and spending more time on them than the video
Related Terms
A document that outlines the objectives, audience, messaging, and deliverables for a creative project.
The opening 1-3 seconds of a video ad designed to grab attention and prevent the viewer from scrolling past.
Supplementary video footage used to add visual variety, context, or storytelling depth to a primary video.
Storyboard FAQs
Do storyboards need to be professionally illustrated?
No, rough sketches or even stick figures are fine — the goal is to communicate the shot sequence, not create art.
How many panels should a storyboard have?
One panel per key scene or shot change — a 30-second ad typically needs 4-8 panels.
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