Storyboard Generator

A storyboard turns a script into pictures: what the camera sees in each shot, how it moves, and what is heard. It helps directors communicate with crews and clients, keeps shoots on schedule and makes editing easier. This tool builds a clean, printable storyboard and shot list in your browser.

Project and frame shape

Enter the project and scene names for the page header. Choose the frame shape to match the delivery format: 16:9 for most video, 2.39:1 for widescreen cinema, 4:3 for a classic look, 1:1 for square social posts, and 9:16 for vertical video on phones. Every picture you add is cropped to that shape.

Adding frames

Each frame has a shot number, an optional picture and notes. Pictures can be sketches, reference photos, stills from a location scout or screenshots from a previsualization. Frames without a picture print as empty boxes, ideal for drawing by hand during a planning meeting. Reorder frames with the up and down buttons, or remove them.

Shot sizes and camera moves

Pick the shot size from standard film vocabulary, from extreme wide to extreme close-up, plus over-the-shoulder, point-of-view, two shot and insert. Choose the camera movement: static, pan, tilt, dolly in or out, tracking, crane, handheld, gimbal, zoom or drone. Using shared terms means every crew member reads the board the same way.

Duration, action and sound

Add a duration in seconds, a short description of the action, and the dialogue or sound for each shot. The shot list adds the durations, so you can see whether the cut will match the target length of an ad, a short film or a social clip.

Page layout

Print 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 or 9 frames per page, on A4 or Letter, landscape or portrait. Fewer, larger frames suit client presentations; more frames per page suit planning and on-set reference.

Exports

The storyboard PDF shows frames with their notes in the chosen layout. The shot list PDF is a compact table of all shots with the total duration. The CSV opens in spreadsheet apps for scheduling. All files are created in your browser.

Saved between visits

Text you type is kept in this browser, so you can close the page and continue later. Pictures are not stored, to keep memory use low; add them again before exporting if you reload the page.

Tips for useful boards

Number shots to match the script, such as 12A and 12B. Keep notes short and active. Mark the direction of movement with arrows in sketches. Plan coverage: an establishing shot, the main action and close-ups for cutting.

Storyboards for social video

Short vertical videos also benefit from boards. Choose the 9:16 frame shape, plan the hook in the first one or two seconds, and keep each shot short. A six-frame page often covers a whole 30-second clip.

Sharing with a team

The PDF works on any device and prints cleanly in black and white. Send it to the director of photography and client before the shoot, and bring printed copies to set for quick reference.

Related tools

Organize the shoot day itself with the Call Sheet Generator. Plan natural light with the Sun Angle Calculator. For framing guides on reference stills, try the Composition Grid Overlay.