The Role of Storyboarding in Video Production

Creating a storyboard for any creative production can be useful, but for a video production or animation it is vital. By planning each shot beforehand, directors and crew can understand what they are aiming to achieve and have something to build on.

What Is A Storyboard?

Storyboarding is similar to working on a comic strip, and quite simply requires each shot to be drawn in a box, often with writing to explain what is happening. However, storyboarding allows directors to play with angle, perspective and balance to create the shot that they desire, and therefore can require a lot of time and precision. For example, storyboards take into consideration whether your shot is interior or exterior, whether it is an upwards angle or downwards angle, whether your actors should be positioned in a close-up, medium or long-distance shot.

What Do Storyboards Look Like?

Every storyboard is different, and they should just be what the director needs to visualise his production. Some film makers prefer to have quick and simple sketches as their storyboards, whilst some spend a lot more time and money making detailed and intricate storyboards to completely map out their scene.

How To Get A Storyboard

Although anyone can draw a storyboard, often hiring a storyboard artist is a director's best option, as they're talented in their field and highly creative. Inspiration is vital to a great film, and by providing your actors and crew with a basic structure, they can visualise, build and create upon that idea to film the best shot they can.