The fastest way to learn storyboarding is to study good storyboard examples and copy what makes them work. Below is what a clear board looks like, the types you will come across, and how to build your own.
Anatomy of a good storyboard example
A strong storyboard frame reads in a second. It shows one clear idea - the composition and staging of a single shot - with the camera and subject movement marked by arrows. Underneath (or beside) it sit the shot details: angle, movement, lens, duration, and a short note or line of dialogue. Numbered in order, a run of these frames tells the whole scene at a glance.
Storyboard examples by type
- Film coverage. Wide, mid and close-up frames that show how a scene is covered and cut.
- Animation sequence. Key poses and beats that lock staging and timing before keyframing.
- Game cutscene. Camera moves and beats blocked out in the render aspect ratio.
- Commercial or music video. Fast, punchy frames where every shot has to earn its place.
What makes an example work
The best examples share the same habits: clarity over artistry, one idea per frame, movement shown with arrows, consistent frames in the right aspect ratio, and shot numbers that match the shot list. You do not need to draw well to make a board this clear - you need to be consistent.
Build your own example
The board above was made in Storyboard Studio, and you can build one just like it in your browser: write or import a script, break it into shots, sketch or drop in a frame for each, add the shot details, and time it into an animatic. Watch the product tour to see the full workflow, or start a free trial and make your first example board today.
Frequently asked questions
What should a storyboard example include?
A clear frame for each shot, the shot details (angle, movement, lens, duration), movement arrows, a short note or dialogue, and shot numbers in order.
Do storyboard examples need to be well drawn?
No. The best examples favour clarity over artistry - simple thumbnails or reference images read just as well as polished art.
Where can I see a storyboard example?
The image on this page is an example board built in Storyboard Studio; the product tour shows a full sequence from script to animatic.