How to Create a Storyboard Video

Over the last ten years, video has become a major tool for any content strategy or animation. Indeed, corporations rely more and more on video to convey their messages to their targeted audience.

However, since the Internet is crowded with content, they need to think of strategies that will enable them to create attractive and captivating videos.
If you work mainly with visual media, creating a successful content strategy begins with a storyboard video.

How can you use it to your company’s benefits? This article will answer this question.

What is a video storyboard?

A video storyboard is the development of the storyline of your video. You will put your video into images and animations to present it to your creative teams. In that context, a video storyboard goes beyond a script since the latter only refers to the written content of the speech inserted of your video.

With a video storyboard, you will create your story step by step, moving from theory to practice.

What are the advantages of a video storyboard for marketers and your colleagues?

A video storyboard has several advantages for your video content strategy.

A video storyboard enables a better organization of your ideas

A video storyboard guarantees that your ideas are carefully crafted and located in a single place. If you change your mind or if your creative team brings forth new ideas, you have a single document where you can include them.

A video storyboard allows you to have more clarity about the length of your video

When you have a video storyboard, your creative process will be clearer as you visualize your vision. You will be able to see how your video is likely to look like. The storyboard is your roadmap as it will help you during the shooting.

A video storyboard saves your time and your budget

A video storyboard helps you to cut your video in several scenes. Thus, you will notice if the cuts are coherent or if the sequences of scenes need to be improved.
The storyboard also ensures that you have the exact resources you need to carry out a certain action. It allows you to save time and money, especially for big productions.

Where can you create a video storyboard?

To create a video storyboard, you have two methods. The first one is the paper method, where you draw your story on a whiteboard, just like comics. This method is classic but it requires a talent for drawing.

If you are not an exceptional drawer, you can use digital media. In this case, you can use software programs to create pre-formatted storyboards. You can do all the design online and modify it if necessary.

Currently, Canva is the most popular software program where you can create your video storyboards. Are you uncomfortable with Canva? Then you have other options. You can use PowerPoint slides to draw your storyboard. Also, Pitchy has a dedicated platform that facilitates the creation of your storyboards as well.

5 steps to create a video storyboard

Do you need to create a video storyboard but don’t know where to start? Then, we have good news for you: you don’t need to be a certified artist to create a video storyboard. You just need to follow the following 5 steps to get the video storyboard of your dreams.

Step #1: Establish a timeline or a simple storyboard: a storyboard frame

Like any story, every video has a beginning, a middle, and an end. At this stage, you also think about the timing and the linearity of your video.
You need to list your different scenes in a chronological order, so that your message and transitions will be coherent. When you edit your videos, you will integrate sequences to link them together.

Step #2: Identify the key moments in your video for the viewer

As you know, the messages conveyed by video are retained more easily than text. However, you must be aware that not all your videos will be retained by your audience.
Therefore, be careful to highlight the information that matters the most in your video: keywords, images, numbers, dates, places, time, names, positions, verbatims, and other highlights.

Step #3: Write every scene in detail in each square (length, characters, setting)

At this stage, you will need to write the details of your script to get an accurate vision of your video. You can include the following elements:
• The elements of the set
• The expression and positioning of the actors
• The dialogues between the participants
• The subtitles
• The verbatims and keywords to highlight
• Special effects
• The composition of the video (e.g. lighting, foreground/background, color palette…)
• The filming of your video (close-up, American shots…).

Step #4: Draw your scenes (notes, action, length, movement)

A picture or a drawing can be worth a thousand words. That’s why you should pay the utmost attention to the drawings in your storyboard’s boxes.
Don’t forget to emphasize the movements, emotions and attitudes of your characters. You can even use dialogue bubbles, just like in comics strips.
At the end of this stage, your storyboard should look like a comic book.

Step #5: Finalize your storyboard

Once you have worked out a design on each frame, review your entire work and make changes if need be.
You can also ask for someone else’s help to review and correct your storyboard, so that he/she ensures that your storyboard makes sense.

Contact Pitchy to create your storyboards

Want to see a great example of a storyboard? Do you need to create a video storyboard and don’t know where to start? Then, Pitchy has the right tool for you. Our platform can be used as a storyboard software with storyboard example, template, notes, scene, feedback and guide. Therefore, we can give you all the tools to create your storyboard online.
Also, our platform will provide you with all the elements you might need to become an effective storyboard artist, even if you are not a graphic designer. Frame, script, dialogue, captcha, drawings, sketches, voiceovers, visuals…you will find everything you need for your film on our platform.
Do you need more information on our platform to create your video storyboards? In this case, feel free to request a demo.