How to Create a Storyboard for Video Content in 6 Simple Steps
Research has shown that the global average for video consumption is 84 minutes per day in 2023, with an estimated growth of 20% within the next two years. Video content is incredibly popular, and one of the most effective ways to catch peoples’ attention online.
Whether you are making videos to market your services, showcase a new product, or simply for fun, it is highly recommended to plan out your content beforehand using a storyboard. This can help you to visualize and execute the video to the best of your ability.
In this article, we will look at how to create a storyboard for video content, the importance and benefits of storyboards, and templates and software to help you to automate this process.
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What is a Storyboard?
A storyboard is an essential part of the video content creation process. It can help you to plan, visualize, and execute your vision, without wasting time creating multiple draft videos. John Lasseter, the Chief Creative Officer at Pixar, refers to storyboards as the “comic book version of the story.”
Essentially, storyboards are a comic strip-like visual script for video content, and are used in film studios, marketing campaigns for products or services, and any other type of video content that requires visual planning. They help the script writers, directors, animators, and actors fully understand what the video should portray and how to accomplish it best.
A storyboard should visually represent what the final video will look like by breaking down the scenes into individual shots and frames. The frames of the storyboard should depict the composition of the video, how the scenes should play out, the angles and focus of the frames, and, when applicable, the script.
How to Create a Storyboard for Video Content in 6 Steps
Step One: Plan Your Video
Ask yourself what you aim to accomplish with the video, and what message you want to portray. Write down your goals, and look for references and inspiration online. Based on the above, you should be able to establish a clear and compelling storyline, what props or visuals you want to include, and what the optimal video length should be. You can use the SMART goal framework to identify goals and objectives for the video.
Step Two: Identify Key Shots
Brainstorm and decide what essential elements you want to include in the video. If you are creating a video to showcase a new product for your business, decide how to best portray the product and what key shots you would like to include. Start with a rough outline of the scenes you want to include, and then break them down into individual shots.
Step Three: Sketch Out the Frames
In this step, you are creating a very rough draft for your storyboard. Using a pen and paper or a storyboard template online, sketch out a starting point for the video, include the key shots, and how you would like to end the video off. Each frame should represent a shot, and you should label them with the corresponding scene and shot numbers.
Step Four: Add Annotations
Below each frame, write out any additional information that you may not be able to draw. This can be notes about lighting, the way you want the scene to pan into the next, or anything else that you feel is important for the scenes.
Step Five: Create the Final Result
Once you are satisfied with the composition and order of your frames, you can arrange them together and sketch them out more neatly. Add any annotations once again, and include a script if necessary.
Step Six: Revise and Refine
After you have created the first draft of your storyboard, look for any gaps or inconsistencies, review the final script, and make any necessary changes. Refine your frames and annotations, and make sure your storyboard accurately reflects your video concept and can effectively achieve your goals.
Where to Find Storyboard Templates
Some storyboards can be created using a pen and paper, but sometimes you may need to include graphics and other content that can only be found online. For this reason, there are multiple websites that offer storyboard templates. Below, we will list 3 of our favorites.
Canva
Canva is an incredible tool for many reasons, one of which is the abundance of free templates available. Simply search ‘Storyboard’ when choosing a design, and it will provide you with a variety of simple and easy-to-use templates that allow you to add frames one by one, as well as to include and calculate video duration.
Krock.io
On Krock.io, you can easily and quickly create storyboards and moodboards from a variety of templates, as well as invite any other stakeholders to collaborate on the planning with you. Its simple drag-and-drop interface makes it the perfect choice for beginners.
Toon Boom
If you’re looking for a very professional storyboard maker, Toon Boom’s Storyboard Pro is a popular choice amongst companies such as Fox and UbiSoft. Toon Boom may be a pricier option, but if your profession requires professional and well-made video content, it can be an excellent investment. Toon Boom’s subscription includes access to animator software and a useful producer tool, so the whole video-creation process can be completed on this one platform.
Conclusion
Storyboards provide a simple and effective way to plan your video content to match your vision and achieve your goals. Using the tools outlined in this article can help you to simplify this process, as well as to collaborate with other stakeholders on the planning process.
With video content booming in popularity and still on the rise, it can be highly beneficial to incorporate videos into your business strategies, no matter what industry you are in. With the use of storyboard templates, you can plan and execute your video content as well as a professional would, regardless of your skill level.
