Storyboard Frame Information

A frame's sketch can only show so much. Written or typed descriptions sit under, beside or inside a frame and add what the drawing cannot show; they should not just repeat what is visible.

What to add

• Scene description — what happens in the shot.
• Timings — how long the scene lasts.
• Camera shot type, angle and movement.
• Action — movement of actors, objects or camera, shown by arrows labelled in capitals or described.
• Transition, lighting or time of day, location and sound.

Camera information

Shot types show how much of the subject fills the frame: extreme close up, close up, mid shot, long shot and extreme long shot. Angles show where the camera is placed: over the shoulder, low, high and aerial. Many can be seen in the drawing, but labelling them keeps the plan clear.

Movement — pan, tilt, zoom, track and dolly — cannot be seen in a still frame, so arrows are drawn between frames. Angle notes tell the crew where to put the camera, help the operator frame and light the shot, and show the director the look. Movement notes keep equipment out of shot, guide the director on actors and the crew on dolly tracks, and let lighting cover the move.

Supporting information

Timings show overall length and highlight long or important shots. They are often left out: scene length follows the script's dialogue.

Location may be a studio, soundstage or outdoor setting, sometimes with a green screen.

Outdoor-looking scenes can be filmed on a soundstage set.

Sound may be dialogue, sound effects, ambient sound or background music. Most sound is planned in the script; a storyboard can flag a sound that causes a reaction and refer back to dialogue.

Transitions — cut, fade in/out, dissolve and wipe — join shots. They are usually added in editing, so note them only where they affect filming.