How to Make a Storyboard for a Product

Sketches are drafted before the commercial is shot with live actors.

Storyboards are pictorial outlines sometimes used in filmmaking and television programs, as well as in commercials about places or products. They give a brief synopsis of steps, scenes, highlights or key points. A storyboard artist is the person who drafts the storyboard scenes either in rough pencil sketches or full color elaborate drawings. To make a storyboard for a commercial product, you will first need a script that lays out the (typically) 30 or 60 second spot. The board(s) will reflect particular shots that will be taken for when the commercial is made.

Things You'll Need

• Script
• Scene breakdowns
• Sketch pad
• Pens, pencils, paintbrushes
• Large index cards
• Photo editing software (optional)
• Storyboard software (optional)

Instructions

1. Get a copy of the brief commercial script from the producer(s) or director. Review with them the key elements that will ultimately be filmed.

2. Break down the script into the individual scenes. For example, if the script is about a hair care product, it will likely have someone shampooing or getting their hair styled at a salon. A person could be speaking or there will be voice over. Determine the various components of each scene and focus on the key elements, such as the product, sets or location and people involved.

3. Draw a rough sketch of each scene's key elements. Using the hair care sample, the first storyboard card or piece would show a woman with flat, dirty hair. Scene two shows her walking into a salon. Scene three shows a male hair stylist holding a pretty bottle and showing it to the woman, and so forth.

4. Complete the sketches until the entire "story" is told in pictures that will later be shot with a cast and crew.

5. Name the various boards according to the particular moment, scene or dialogue component. So, scene 1's card would have, "Woman realizes hair needs help."

6. Share your drawings with the director and producers as necessary, to get their approval as well as to verify you've drawn the proper moments. Make revisions as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Some storyboard artists have extensive backgrounds in art and illustration, and possibly animation. But you don't need to be a fine artist to craft a basic storyboard. You can use stick person rough sketches to get across the basic ideas. Just be sure you're following the script. Without a script, you are simply guessing, which doesn't serve the product.

• Some professionals find that storyboard software is quite helpful and makes fast work of their assignment. You can find such software available online as freeware, shareware and commercial products, too.

• Use a photo editing program to add legible text to your scanned drawings, or to manipulate images. This also helps you to upload and email images to directors and producers easily.

References

• Showboat Entertainment: Storyboards
• Power Production Storyboard Software
• Job Profiles: Film and Video - Storyboard Artist