storyboards
Visual script outlines
Storyboards are sequences of drawings or images showing the planned shots of a film, animation, commercial, or video.
Each panel represents a scene or camera angle, with notes about action, dialogue, and timing.
Directors and production teams use storyboards to visualize a project before filming begins: We spent weeks on storyboards before shooting a single frame.
The verb storyboard means to create such a sequence.
Timed storyboard sequence
- keyframeFixed animation reference point
- panelDistinct flat section
- thumbnailReduced preview image
- sequenceOrdered succession of elements
timing · pacing · layout · background · character · movement · Disney · Pixar
Dramatic unit or locale
- shotQuick liquor serving
- frameSupporting outer structure
- sequenceOrdered succession of elements
- panelDistinct flat section
thumbnail · animatic · blocking · director · cinematographer · editor · continuity · transitions
Planning before creation begins
- visualizationForming mental or graphical images
- pitchFrequency of sound
- conceptAbstract mental construct
- outlineSummary of key elements
workflow · collaboration · revision · approval · presentation · client · feedback · iteration
Distinct flat section
- layoutSpatial arrangement of elements
- sequenceOrdered succession of elements
- mangaJapanese comic medium
- graphic novelBook-length illustrated sequential narrative
webcomic · penciller · inker · splash page · grid · gutter · pacing · composition
Paid broadcast promotion
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- pitchFrequency of sound
- clientOne who hires professionals
- agencyPower to act
concept · brief · revision · approval · presenter · marketing · brand · messaging
Reduced preview image
- sketchHasty informal drawing
- panelDistinct flat section
- frameSupporting outer structure
- annotationAdded explanatory comment
arrow · dialogue · action · description · numbering · digital · traditional · template
animatic
Timed storyboard sequence
sequence · timing · pacing · layout · background · character · movement · Disney · Pixar · anime
scene
Dramatic unit or locale
panel · thumbnail · animatic · blocking · director · cinematographer · editor · continuity · transitions · camera
preproduction
Planning before creation begins
- visualizationForming mental or graphical images
- pitchFrequency of sound
- conceptAbstract mental construct
outline · workflow · collaboration · revision · approval · presentation · client · feedback · iteration · narrative
panel
Distinct flat section
- layoutSpatial arrangement of elements
- sequenceOrdered succession of elements
- mangaJapanese comic medium
graphic novel · webcomic · penciller · inker · splash page · grid · gutter · pacing · composition · thumbnail
commercial
Paid broadcast promotion
agency · concept · brief · revision · approval · presenter · marketing · brand · messaging · layout
thumbnail
Reduced preview image
annotation · arrow · dialogue · action · description · numbering · digital · traditional · template · software
- animation artcels, background art, backgrounds, concept art, character design
- cartoon archivescomic strips, animation cels, Sunday funnies, newspaper comics, editorial cartoons
- filmmovies, film, filmmaking, cinematography, film editing
- visual mediafilm, video, drawing, photograph, television
- drawingpencil drawing, drawing, sketch, sketches, pencil sketch
- illustrationpainting, drawing, watercolor, sketch, charcoal
storyboardsfinal cut
Approved version for release
finished product · master copy · post-production · theatrical release · final edit
storyboardsmotion picture
Filmed visual narrative
video footage · moving images · screenplay · shooting script
storyboard, storyboarding, storyboarded, storyboarders, storyboarder