Did you know that, according to , 72% of users would rather watch a video to learn something than read texts? He has never been so popular. And it will most likely continue to grow, since the storyboard simplifies all stages of the creation process.
Do you want to know how to plan content more effectively, present your idea clearly to others, and avoid problems during production? We bring you the best tips to achieve your goals and be recognized in the market.
In this post, we are going to talk to you about the concept of storyboarding, where it comes from, what the main types are, and we are also going to give you the best tips for outlining it. Stay with us!
After all, what is a storyboard?
The storyboard is a visual outline that illustrates the sequence of a story. It consists of a series of thumbnail images that convey what happens in a plot, from beginning to end. It also includes notes on what is happening in each frame.
It is very similar to a cartoon, or comic. It is usually drawn by hand, although some people prefer to use storyboard software to create the images.
What is the origin of the storyboard?
To answer this question, we have to travel back in time to the mid-1930s, when Walt Disney created a little mouse named Mickey, who would change entertainment history forever.
Disney has pioneered many things. He developed the first hand-drawn feature film, invented Audio-Animatronics (robotic animation) and did the first storyboard.
Why create a storyboard?
Making a video requires many details and they are all important. For this reason, it is difficult (or almost impossible) to create a piece suddenly, from one moment to another. The more you plan, the more successful your video will be.
The storyboard adds an additional stage to the creation process. But, it is worth spending time on it, because the result can exceed your expectations. And the benefits are visible: right from the start, it helps you organize the ideas in your head strategically and more coherently.
Often, it is difficult to convey what we are thinking, using only words. The storyboard solves this problem because it allows you to imagine the type of project you want to do.
This resource simplifies everything that comes after. With it, you can bring a video marketing strategy to life more effectively. At the same time, you are less likely to make costly mistakes or waste time with unworkable ideas.
What are the types of storyboards?
Here are the different types of storyboards. Look!
1. Traditional
Traditional storyboards include a series of pencil sketches, which help writers, producers, and directors visualize the initial idea before they start shooting or animating. They are very common on television and in the movies because they allow changes to be made quickly.
2. Thumbnail
It is typically used by a small team, who already know how to visually represent their idea. The sketch is very quick and easy to create, as no text is required and there is no need to go into detail.
3.Digital
Digital is perfect for because you can use exactly the graphics that will be displayed in the video. Thus, all participants can have a clear vision of what the finished product will look like.
What are the fundamental tips for creating a good storyboard?
1. Define what you want to do
Before you start scribbling with your pencil, plan ahead. You’ll waste time and paper (and maybe get frustrated fast) if you try to use a pen. Start thinking about what you want to achieve by making the video.
For example, do you want to sell more of a certain product, reinforce your brand image or create a conference event? How do you want people to feel after seeing your presentation? clear and specific for your project is a fundamental task for the next steps.
2. Organize the ideas
Invent as many situations as possible for your sketch. Write them all down, even those that seem out of the ordinary. Try combining different situations to see what happens. After all, why make a storyboard if you are not going to put everything into practice?
If there are other people on your team, ask them to brainstorm with you to further enrich the video content. It is amazing what happens when creative energies connect.
3. Create a timeline
When the idea is mature, start drawing the timeline. Identify the beginning, middle, and end of the story, as well as important transitions. Make sure there is consistency between one frame and another.
Short commercial videos don’t need a complicated plot, but rather a satisfying resolution. If you find gaps along the way, check your notes to find out how to fix them.
4. Start drawing
Now it’s time to start putting your vision on paper. Draw a series of boxes on a piece of paper or use a storyboard model from the internet. Reserve a good space to take notes. Take one frame at a time, start outlining the action of your video in bullet points.
Doing the work by hand is the fastest and most accurate way to get your ideas on paper. If you find it necessary to use technological resources to convey the story, you can use a storyboard to solve the problem.
Use charts to make things easier for everyone during production. For each thumbnail, take detailed notes about what is happening and what visual or emotional effect you want to achieve.
If you have details like props, angles, and special effects in mind, include those as well. You can write notes on the back of the draft, if there isn’t enough space on the front.
5. Understand camera movements
To create characters, draw their poses and tell the story, it is essential to know the . Therefore, observe the way the operator uses the camera, ask him questions and clarify all your doubts.
Find out what types of movement he is going to use and you will have incredible insights, like zooming in on the design at the right time, for example. Also, identify if the characters created represent the current mood of the scene or fit the context.
6. Value the character’s reaction
The movie moves fast. The public can only see one thing at a time. So including multiple ideas in one drawing can create communication noise and difficulty in understanding. Therefore, do not hesitate to create a box to highlight an idea.
If you need more than one step to describe an event, you will need to draw each step. For example, if a character sees something and reacts, draw him looking for something, then draw what he sees and immediately his reaction. Thus, all the information will be well presented.
7. Don’t get attached to perfection
Remember that the storyboard is a tool, not a work of art in itself. Avoid getting so involved that you forget why you’re sketching. Artistic skill is important during the process, but creative flair is key.
As long as it is possible to get the ideas across clearly, it doesn’t matter if your characters are figurines or the props are circles or squares. Focus on materializing your goals to convey the right message.
8. Do a thorough review
You’ve finished the storyboard and now want to take a look at the details. But how do you make sure everything is ready before delivering the final model? It is common to feel that something is missing to make a difference.
Review is one of the most important parts of the storyboarding process. Instead of looking at revision as a chore, look at it as an opportunity to try different approaches and make yourself look even better.
If necessary, do tests. Try moving frames or creating slightly different versions of the story. Nothing is final in a storyboard. Trying new things can lead to unexpected ideas. Save all the versions created, in case you decide to discard an idea and return to the previous one.
9. Get feedback
If other people are helping you make your video, show them your progress and ask for feedback. Early storyboard drafts give you a great opportunity to discuss creative options, work out problems, and ensure the finished work is aligned with the goals set from the start.
If the project gives you a bird’s-eye view of your proposal, use it. When creating a storyboard, you may find issues in the sequence or plot that you missed when making the timeline. Now, it’s time to fix them so that the final video is well organized.
Did you learn why creating a storyboard can be useful for your strategy?
The goal of storyboarding is to make a better video and save you time and hassle in the future. The advantages are many: it helps you organize your ideas, it simplifies the creative process, it presents the sketch in detail to your team, etc.
It is not always easy to convey what we think with words. The storyboard satisfies the need to express yourself objectively, since the drawings simplify all the future stages of the audiovisual project. The main types of storyboards are: traditional, miniature and digital.
Whether you want to create eye-catching videos for your business or to strengthen your brand, storyboarding is an essential step in the process. Plus, it’s fun and helps you explain your vision to others. Think about this the next time you are going to present a project.
If you liked this article, take a look at the ones you can use to measure the success of your videos. It will surely enrich your knowledge even more!
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