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Film Storyboard Template

Use this template
Film Storyboard Template, within the Milanote app

Map out the key scenes in your film

Storyboards are a powerful way to visually organize the composition, action and look of a film before you start bringing it to life. As director, producer and screenwriter Martin Scorsese said, “The storyboard is the way to visualize the entire movie in advance.”

Traditionally, a storyboard would be created with analog sketches, but with a modern digital tool you can use photography, animation, color and notes to bring your story to life. Building a dynamic vision for your project is simple, and with Milanote's integrated image search, you can find the perfect images without even leaving your board.

This template is part of our guide on How to plan a film.

  • Drag and drop images and notes
  • Built-in image library
  • Share with your team & clients
  • Gather feedback
  • View on mobile

How to use this template

Whether you’re a filmmaker, creative director or a client, follow this step-by-step guide to learn the modern process of creating a storyboard for your film in Milanote, a free tool used by top creatives.

This film storyboard template is also the perfect format for creating a short film storyboard, a documentary storyboard and even a feature film storyboard.

1. Start with an empty template

The Film Storyboard template contains empty columns for the key parts of your story. Just drag and drop your images into each column and describe the actions to create an engaging storyboard in minutes.

Empty film storyboard template
How to do this in Milanote

  1. Create a new board for your storyboard.

    Create a new board

    Drag a board out from the toolbar. Give it a name, then double click to open it.

  2. Choose a storyboard template.

    Choose a template 

    Each new board gives you the option to start with a beautiful template.

2. Map out the key scenes

When creating a movie storyboard, it’s crucial to know what story you’re telling. The best starting point is to break up the script or narrative you’ll be working from. Identify the key scenes and start to map them out on your storyboard.

Empty film storyboard template
How to do this in Milanote

  1. Update the column titles to match the key scenes.

Pro tip

When it comes to structuring a film storyboard and key scenes, there are some industry standards that storyboard artists follow. These include: 2-frame, 3-frame, 4-frame, 8-frames and 10-frame templates. Milanote's flexible canvas means you can arrange your storyboards to suit any structure.

3. Add images or sketches

Now it’s time to begin visualizing each scene. Some storyboard artists might begin sketching movie scenes with a pen and paper first, but with modern storyboards you can collect reference photography, illustrations, screenshots, location shoots, and even motion from anywhere.

Mapped out movie storyboard template
How to do this in Milanote

  1. Use the built-in image library.

    Use the built-in image library

    Search over 500,000 beautiful photos powered by Unsplash then drag images straight onto your board.

  2. Upload images from your computer.

    Upload a file or document  

    Click the "Upload file" button or just drag a file onto your board. You can add images, logos, documents, videos, audio and much more.

4. Describe what happens in each frame

While each frame is a static image, try to communicate how it's going to look and feel as a moving sequence. Describe the style, mood, and behavior of characters. Consider how the camera will move through the shot and how you'll transition from one scene to the next. Add details about the sound to help your team imagine the emotion and drama you're trying to capture. Our film storyboard template already contains fields for your scene title, sketch, image, or video as well as the description field for each of your frames.

Film storyboard with scenes in each frame
How to do this in Milanote

  1. Add a note to describe each scene.

    Drag a note card onto your board

    Start typing then use the formatting tools in the left hand toolbar.

5. Share it with your team

When you're ready, invite your team to review your storyboard and share their feedback. This is the perfect moment to see how others interpret your vision for the story. It's also a great opportunity to make any final tweaks while in pre-production. Adjust the order of your frames or edit the content based on everyone's feedback.

Sharing film storyboard
How to do this in Milanote

  1. Share the storyboard with your team.

    Invite editors to your board

    Open the "Editors" menu from the title bar of your board. Add email addresses of the people you'd like to collaborate with—they'll receive an invitation via email.

  2. Start a comment thread.

    Start a comment thread

    Drag out a comment from the toolbar on the left and place it on your board. Other editors can reply to your comment.

  3. Mention teammates to get their attention.

    Mention teammates to get their attention

    Type '@' in any text field to mention someone who has access to your board. They'll receive a notification and be able to respond to your comment.

Get inspired

Looking at popular movie storyboards while creating your own can help you better understand film structure, become an engaging storyteller and create more effective stories.

You're done!

Now that your film storyboard is complete, you have a clear vision for your film! Remember, just as creativity and inspiration are constantly evolving, so are ideas. Come back and edit your storyboard when inspiration strikes.

You might find the following templates useful for your next creative project:

Start your Storyboard

Visualize the structure for your next film.

Start your Storyboard

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— Bryan Clark, The Next Web

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