Storyboarding conventions
Storyboarding uses conventions and terms that are found in film and animation. Depending on the project, some of the terminology might be different. Some of the terms can be found below:
| Live Action | Animation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Scene | Sequence | All action (individual panels) occurring in one time and place |
| Shot |
Scene Panel |
Each individual camera position (may involve many panels, e.g. zooming) |
| Dialogue | Dialogue | Lines delivered by character in the shot/scene, from the script |
| Notes | Action/Notes | Clarifying details |
| FX | Either practical effects (for filming) or notes for post-production |
Often, there are some visual conventions that are consistent across storyboarding projects. For example, numbering the boards tends to follow a Scene/Sequence #, then Shot/Scene #; e.g Scene #14, Shot #1. Arrows are used to denote movement of the camera, the subject, or an object. Camera lines will usually be thicker and on the edges of the storyboard, while lines indicating subject/object movement will often be close to that object . You can always add notes to the storyboard to clarify movement, but the notes should be kept to a minimum.
Object movement
Camera movement
It is also helpful to think about the type of shot and the framing that the camera is portraying on the board. Some examples of shots are:
- Establishing shot
- Internal/External shot
- Long shot
- Medium shot
- Close-up
- Extreme close-up
- Point of view (POV) shots
- Split screen