Storyboard Rules — The Do’s and Don’ts of Storyboarding

Storyboard Rules

1. Each panel should tell a story

The storyboard is a filmmakers first chance to turns words on a page into a story told with images. One of the generally accepted storyboarding rules is that every shot should be represented, there are exceptions and considerations to make. 

For complicated blocking and staging in a particular shot, multiple panels can be created to track the movements. However, you might also be tempted to do a multi-panel shot when a single panel will do.

Be economical with your storyboards. If a single panel can communicate everything for that particular story beat, do it. 

Storyboard Tips

2. Consider the aspect ratio

One of the benefits of storyboarding is the ability to compose your shots. Using the basic rules of composition, deciding where you place your characters in relation to the rest of the frame is a key step. 

For a refresher on the storytelling value of choosing the right aspect ratio, here's our breakdown.

You can't really account for composition if you haven't chosen your aspect ratio. Are you planning for a 4:3 aspect ratio or perhaps 2.39:1? Once you've nailed down your frame size, you can more accurately and strategically plan your compositions.

If you're using dedicated storyboarding software like StudioBinder's storyboard creator, this is an easy setting to manage. In this overview, you can see how changing the aspect ratio is done with a simple click.

Storyboarding Tips

3. Account for movement in composition

Following this idea of composition in storyboarding, one of the most important considerations is movement. To designate both camera and character movement, storyboard arrows are used.

Let's imagine a scenario in which a character is supposed to move from right to left in a shot. The character would be placed on the right side of the frame with enough room on the left side for an arrow pointing in that direction.

In the case of storyboarding camera movement, let's say you want to push into a close-up of your character. If the movement is extensive, you'd be better off to create a multi-panel movement (see above). If the movement is minimal, use a single panel and frame your character at the end point of the camera movement instead of the beginning.

Rules of Storyboarding

4. Keep your continuity

Jumping from panel to panel, it can be easy to forget some of the basics surrounding continuity. It goes without saying that continuity breaks in a storyboard can be just as disruptive as continuity breaks in a film.

For example, screen direction is critical. If your character in Panel 1 is looking towards screen left but in Panel 3 they're looking screen right. Unless there is a natural reason for the character to suddenly be looking in a different direction, this is a mistake to be avoided.

This adherence to continuity also extends to relative character sizes, positions, camera or character movement — anything that would create confusion between shots.

The 180-Degree Rule basically states that the camera should stay on one side of an imaginary line created by the characters in a scene. Part of your job as the storyboard artist is to think ahead and make sure the storyboard is as clear and legible as possible.

Want to start practicing? Download our FREE storyboarding templates below.