How to: Make a Storyboard

You will need:

 A pen/pencil
 Paper

Step 1:
Brainstorm your ideas about what you want your story to look like on camera. Think about the different
movements you want in and out of frame.

Step 2:
On a piece of paper, draw a line through the very center of the page. Then draw two or more lines
evenly across the first line. Depending on how many story squares you want on one page will determine
how many lines you draw. For example, drawing two lines will give you 6 squares to work with, while
drawing three lines will give you 8, and so on.

Step 3:
Using the first square at the top left-hand corner of the page, start drawing what you want to happen
first in your story. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, just a general idea of where characters will be
positioned, what kind of actions they will perform, and locations they are situated in. Stick figures are
acceptable.

Step 4:
Continue using each square, and number them 1 through 6. 1 will be the top left-hand corner, 2 will be
the square beside it (to the right), and 3 after that. 4 will be on the bottom left hand corner, and 5 and 6
will follow. This will show your story in order from left to right.

Step 5:
Make notes of what is happening in your sketches at the bottom of each square to help give an overall
explanation of the scene/story in your storyboard.

Step 6:
Put a title at the top of your page. This will be the name of the story.

Step 7:
You’re finished! If there is a situation where you need to make a storyboard using alternate methods,
we have in the Centre: Comic Life, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or you can find a storyboard template
online that you can fill in.