Pick the frame shape of your video
- 16:9: YouTube, TV and most video today.
- 9:16: vertical video for TikTok, Reels and Shorts.
- 2.39:1: widescreen cinema.
- 4:3 and 1:1: older TV, some animation, and square social posts.
How to storyboard
- Break the script into shots. Each frame is one shot or one important moment.
- Sketch the framing: stick figures are fine. Show what is in the shot and from where it is seen.
- Under each frame, note the action, the dialogue and the camera move (pan, zoom, cut).
- Number the frames, so you can reorder them and match them to the shot list.
Drawing a comic instead? Use the comic book template.
Printing tips
- Print at 100% (Actual size), not Fit to page, so squares and line spacing keep their exact size.
- Light lines (gray or light blue) are easy to write over and fade into the background of a scan or photo; use darker lines for drawing practice or when the paper will be photocopied.
- Need a stack? Set the number of pages and print the PDF once, or print one page and photocopy it.
- Thicker paper (24 to 32 lb or 90 to 120 gsm) takes ink pens and markers without bleeding through.