How To Make a Storyboard

  • July 2, 2009
  • 32,663 Views
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Making a storyboard before shooting a movie is like drawing a blueprint before grabbing a hammer and nails. Do it well, and make sure your film is structurally sound.

You Will Need

  • Several loose sheets of blank 11-by-17-inch paper
  • A pencil
  • A ruler
  • And a shooting script
  • Computer with layout program
How To Make a Storyboard: Pick aspect ratio

Step 1: Pick aspect ratio

Pick an aspect ratio for shooting.

The aspect ratio is the physical proportion of the image you’re capturing, measured horizontally then vertically. Most television is 4:3 and film is typically 16:9.

How To Make a Storyboard: Multiply the ratio by ¼ inch

Step 2: Multiply the ratio by ¼ inch

Multiply the dimensions of your aspect ratio by a ¼ inch.

How To Make a Storyboard: Draw frames

Step 3: Draw frames

With a pencil and a ruler, draw out boxes, called frames, on 11-by-17-inch paper. They should match the dimensions from Step 2, and there should be at least four frames on each sheet of paper with a fair amount of space under each for script, directions, and notes.

You can also draw these boxes using a computer layout program.

How To Make a Storyboard: Make enough sheets for the project

Step 4: Make enough sheets for the project

Reproduce as many storyboard sheets as you will need for your project.

How To Make a Storyboard: Start drawing

Step 5: Start drawing

Using your script as a guide, start drawing. Use one frame for every cut, or in animation, one frame per specific gesture or motion.

Add notes for scenes that require extra attention, such as pans, tilts, crane movements, or zooms.

How To Make a Storyboard: Draw important scenes first on separate sheets

Step 6: Draw important scenes first on separate sheets

Draw key scenes first on separate sheets, making it easier to rearrange them.

How To Make a Storyboard: Check your script

Step 7: Check your script

Continuously check your script. Rearrange parts of the storyboard as you go if you need to make edits.

How To Make a Storyboard: Show it off

Step 8: Show it off

Use your completed storyboard to show people how you envision your script coming to life.

The storyboarding process was first developed by the Walt Disney Studios in the early 1930s.

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Comments (3)

HeatherM

Nicely done, Connor! I love the illustrations!

over 2 years ago by HeatherM

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coolguy66

EWWW

over 2 years ago by coolguy66

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Vana_Kranthi

its very usefull 4 upcoming directors

about 1 year ago by Vana_Kranthi

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Video is in Filmmaking 101 (16 videos)