People Who Make and Use a Storyboard

A storyboard is made by the creative design team. The director works with a storyboard artist, who turns the script into visual shots. They may produce several versions of the same scene so the best visual plan can be chosen.

Client and director

The client uses the storyboard to see and approve ideas before filming begins, so changes can be made on paper rather than on an expensive shoot. The director uses it to check the sequence that will be filmed and may ask for alternative versions if a scene does not work visually.

Production team and performers

Production staff use the storyboard so that no time is wasted. A location manager can plan where each scene will be filmed, the lighting crew can prepare the right set-up, and camera operators know which shots are needed. Performers use it too: actors see what happens in each shot, stunt performers can plan safe movements, and animal handlers can prepare an animal for its action.

Animation and games

In animation and games, animators use frames to plan movement, 3D modellers know which objects and sets must be built, and game programmers can see how scenes and actions should run. Almost anyone in a production may use a storyboard, but each role relies on different information on it, so think about what someone's job involves before saying how the storyboard helps them.