Storyboard

A storyboard is the visual blueprint of a video production. Each panel represents a specific shot, sketched to show the framing, camera angle, subject position, and key action or expression within that shot. Accompanying notes describe camera movements, dialogue, sound effects, and transition types. Together, the panels read like a comic strip version of the intended video, providing a clear visual plan that the entire production team can follow.

Storyboarding serves multiple critical functions. It forces creative decisions to be made before the expensive shooting phase begins, reducing costly improvisation on set. It aligns all stakeholders — director, cinematographer, client, and crew — on exactly what will be shot and how. It identifies potential problems (impossible camera angles, missing coverage, pacing issues) while they can still be solved on paper rather than on location.

For client-facing video projects, storyboards are invaluable communication tools. They allow clients to review and approve the visual approach before production begins, minimizing the risk of misaligned expectations. Even simple storyboards — rough sketches with descriptive notes — provide far more clarity than written scripts alone. When commissioning video work, requesting a storyboard as a deliverable before the shoot ensures you have meaningful creative input at the most impactful stage of the process.