Different Types Of Storyboards + Free Templates to Download

Remember the times you wanted to share your thoughts with somebody; you were so excited but you couldn’t impress yourself correctly and boom! That extraordinary idea turned into a boring elementary thing?

One of the primary advantages of storyboards is preventing the idea from being lost. Storyboards visualize your ideas. They bring the green thought nearer to execution.

The following text will help you find the most suitable storyboard for your work by analyzing different types of storyboards. In the end, you’ll find several eye-catching storyboard templates provided by the Pixune team.

How many types of storyboards are there?

There are different types of storyboards, each with its specific use and purpose. Whether you design a character or represent a game narrative design, you will definitely need the storyboard. These days, they are mostly used for animation and movies.

Yes, there are many! like 10 or more.  Actually, you can scribble a storyboard for anything you want to visualize better. Since human visual memory is more potent than other forms of memory, when your story concept is still in its nuts-and-bolts, drawing pictures will help it stick in your mind.

Here in this article, we have covered the most common types which are the fundamental forms of storyboarding.

Main Types of storyboards

The main styles of storyboards are those that will be introduced here.

Traditional storyboard

Series of conceptual pencil sketches that simply leads the audience to comprehend the whole manifest by scanning the pictures.

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Thumbnail storyboard

Thumbnail boards are primarily used to describe a complete scene. (see the bigger picture!)

Thumbnail storyboards will show the camera angle, transition, and framing better.

Digital storyboard

simply, the storyboard created by digital art. The digital storyboard is best for details. For example, if you are going to sell your game idea, a digital storyboard would work better. There are panels that give you the opportunity to design your storyboard quicker, like storyboardthat and boords.

What are storyboards used for?

Storyboards are the roadmap for your project. They are literally used for anything. I will even use a storyboard to estimate how much it will cost me to make a game! No, seriously, different types of storyboards will be used for Live-Action Films, Animations, Game Animations, Commercials, Music Videos, Comic Strips, Animatics, and even Theatre.

Live-Action Films: In live-action filmmaking, storyboards are used to plan out each shot and scene before filming. The storyboard artists create a visual representation of the script, including camera angles, movements, and actors’ blocking. Storyboards help the director, cinematographer, and other crew members to visualize the film’s pacing and mood, and make any necessary changes before filming begins.

via GIPHY

Animations: In animation, storyboards serve as a blueprint for the animation team. The storyboard artist illustrates each frame of the story, including the characters’ movements and expressions, camera angles, and any special effects. The storyboard provides a guide for the animators to follow, ensuring that the final animation is consistent with the original vision.

Game Animations: In game development, storyboards are used to create cutscenes and scripted sequences. The storyboard artist illustrates the actions of the characters and the camera angles, helping the game developers to plan the timing and pacing of each sequence.

Commercials: In commercial production, storyboards help to visualize the final ad. The storyboard artist creates a visual representation of the script, including camera angles, characters, and settings. The storyboard helps the director and production team to plan the ad’s pacing and tone, and to make any necessary adjustments before filming.

Music Videos: In music video production, storyboards are used to plan out each shot and scene. The storyboard artist creates a visual representation of the lyrics and music, including camera angles, characters, and settings. The storyboard helps the director and production team to plan the video’s pacing and mood, and to make any necessary adjustments before filming.

Comic Strips: In comic strip creation, storyboards are used to plan out each panel. The storyboard artist creates a visual representation of the story, including character expressions, movements, and dialogue. The storyboard helps the comic strip artist to plan the layout of the panels, the pacing of the story, and to make any necessary adjustments before finalizing the strip.

Animatics: In animatics, storyboards are used to create a rough cut of an animation or film before the final animation is produced. The storyboard artist creates a visual representation of each frame, including camera angles, movements, and dialogue. The storyboard helps the animatic artist to plan the pacing of the final animation, and to make any necessary adjustments before the final animation is produced.

Theatre: In theatre, storyboards are used to plan out the staging and blocking of each scene. The storyboard artist creates a visual representation of the script, including the characters’ movements, expressions, and interactions. The storyboard helps the director and actors to plan the pacing of the play and to make any necessary adjustments before the performance.

Differences between storyboards

I know, a lot of confusion crosses your mind, what are the differences between a script, a screenplay, and a storyboard? What is a mood board then? In the following part of this article, we will unwrap them in the degree of ease, timing, and ways of making, etc.

Let’s make it crystal clear.

 What’s the difference between a Live Action Storyboard and Animation Storyboard?

As their names indicate, the live-action storyboard conducts the general scene without any detail. The beginning and the end of each set will be demonstrated.  In live action storyboard, a shot comprises the various camera angles used in one location during one period of time.

On the other hand, the animation storyboard contains the detail of each scene. In an animation storyboard, each hand-drawn shot represents a new scene that tells the story with details like speech bubbles, Visual effects, and order of actions.

What’s the difference between a storyboard and a mood board?

A mood board is a visual representation of the atmosphere, style, and tone of a production. It’s often used to help set the tone and establish the overall look and feel of a project. Mood boards are mostly used in the brainstorming stages by gathering inspirational images, and notes in order to help the team to complete their ideology. For instance, the concept art design is created by a good mood board. While a storyboard is meant to express the idea and show the process of forming the whole project.

What’s the difference between a storyboard and a screenplay?

The screenplay is a document written by the screenwriter before the shoot. The screenplay includes the set, the characters, and the dialogue fragments. The difference in the play’s elements will be defined by the screenplay. However, the storyboard orients by placing a selection of available material fragments in the proper order.

Final words

storyboards are a Pre-visualize of the final product. Mainly divided into 3 different types. Each of them has its own pros and cons, but it’s beneficial to create a storyboard before starting the project. Creating a storyboard is not rocket science, pixune help you to create a storyboard in 6 steps.

More questions about different types of storyboard has been answered in FAQ.

Now, enjoy Pixune’s storyboard templates.