{"id":3485,"date":"2020-11-11T10:00:28","date_gmt":"2020-11-11T10:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new-blog.artlist.io\/?p=3485"},"modified":"2025-09-02T06:41:30","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T06:41:30","slug":"how-to-create-a-storyboard-for-your-film-download-a-free-template","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new-blog.artlist.io\/blog\/how-to-create-a-storyboard-for-your-film-download-a-free-template\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Create a Storyboard for Your Film (Download a Free Template)"},"content":{"rendered":"

So you\u2019ve got a great story, a talented DP, a ready crew and lots of enthusiasm, but no\u00a0storyboard for your screenplay? Not so fast. Storyboards are critical for communicating the story, framing and camera direction. And, if you have complex or expensive sequences where every beat counts, storyboards are indispensable in preparation for those critical scenes.<\/p>\n

What is a storyboard?<\/h2>\n

A storyboard is a pre-visualization representation of the sequences in a film. It consists of panels that represent frames and show how the action unfolds. Storyboards often look like comic strips, so think of your favorite comic book sequences when creating one. The panels can be drawings, photographs or even video clips. You can also include dialogue and sound direction.<\/p>\n

A storyboard is an excellent pitching tool for your project, as it brings your vision to life. Add sound design to create an animatic and you\u2019ve got a dynamic presentation for any prospective producer, crew member or talent.<\/p>\n

Think a storyboard has to be difficult to create? Not necessarily. Many free and low-cost applications don\u2019t\u00a0require any illustration skills. And as a service to our readers, we’ve prepared a storyboard template for you to download for free.<\/p>\n

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Ready to start building your storyboard? Here are five easy steps:<\/p>\n

Break down your script<\/h2>\n

You\u2019ll need to comb through your script to isolate and identify all the elements that will make up your storyboard — every character, location, prop, etc.\u00a0Script breakdowns<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0are used in formulating shot lists, budgets and shooting schedules, so this step will be vital even if you\u2019re not in the storyboarding phase yet.<\/p>\n

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The old-fashioned method of printing out your script and marking it up with pens and highlighters is certainly an option, but you could also take advantage of software like\u00a0Studiobinder<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In the breakdown, you\u2019ll use different colors to visually categorize all the elements. These are the factors you will eventually bring into your storyboard.<\/p>\n

Digital vs. hand-drawn<\/h2>\n

You don\u2019t have to be a Picasso to create a digital storyboard, whereas you\u2019ll obviously need illustration skills to sketch one out by hand. If you decide to go the digital route, check out\u00a0Studiobinder\u2019s easy-to-use storyboard software<\/a>.\u00a0You could also create your storyboard in graphic design software such as Photoshop, Illustrator or InDesign.<\/p>\n

For higher-end productions, consider the following professional software:<\/p>\n