The storyboard.
Learn more about storyboarding for promotional videos, product videos, training videos, and animated videos.
What is a storyboard?
Everything you need to know about storyboards for promotional videos and other film productions.
A storyboard is a crucial step in the development of a video project. Whether it’s a corporate video, a product video, a training video, or any other professional video production—these aren’t created on the fly, but require careful planning.
A storyboard helps bring a screenplay or concept to life on screen. Every planned moment of the film is sketched out step by step, much like in a comic book, to give you a clear idea of what the final production will look like.
The storyboard allows you to check in advance whether your film will work as intended. It enables you to tell the story based on the images and identify any necessary conceptual changes early on. This not only saves time but also money, as we can plan the camera positions and the time required for each scene very precisely. This information is very helpful for creating an efficient shooting schedule and ensuring that the shoot runs smoothly and cost-effectively.
In addition, the storyboard gives all members of the film crew a clear idea of their shared goal and promotes effective collaboration. The effort involved in creating a storyboard therefore usually pays off.
The Essence of a Useful Storyboard.
The 4 key components that every storyboard typically includes.
Storyboards are used to visualize screenplays and plan individual film scenes before shooting begins. They ensure that the film’s ideas and intentions are clear to everyone involved.
In addition, they provide initial insights into framing, camera angles, lighting, and overall aesthetics through artistic renderings. Each sequence is sketched out step by step in great detail to allow for potential improvements and to refine the film concept.
Each storyboard typically contains the following information:
Adjustment Sizes
In a storyboard for promotional videos and all other film formats, the framing—including long shots, medium shots, and close-ups—is meticulously defined for each individual frame. This allows for a preliminary review to ensure that all essential elements are visible in the frame and that the sequence of shots flows smoothly together.
Camera movements
Camera movements such as pans or tracking shots using a dolly or a Steadicam are often required. A single still image cannot adequately illustrate these movements, so it is recommended to use multiple images with arrows. The first image shows the camera’s starting position and includes directional arrows. The second image shows the camera’s final position, which is the last image within the shot.
Time Information
A film's runtime is of crucial importance. Many productions must adhere to a specific time frame in order to be effective on social media, for example. The storyboard should include precise time specifications for each frame and each shot.
Texts
Characters may deliver monologues or engage in dialogue, which should be noted in the storyboard. All relevant information that helps describe the scene should also be documented in writing. This ensures that the plot is understandable to external viewers.
Use of storyboards.
In an era when companies are increasingly relying on visual presentation, the production of promotional videos is becoming more important. Especially for complex products or companies, a promotional video can be a powerful tool for marketing and sales.
An audiovisual presentation allows messages to be conveyed more effectively and clearly than is possible through a website alone or print advertising. Image videos can be shown on various platforms such as LinkedIn, websites, and video platforms, which allows them to reach a broad target audience. These videos, which typically last no longer than 5 minutes, are designed to clearly convey a specific message.
The formal and technical elements of a film are also used in promotional videos, which can therefore be very elaborate and complex, depending on the client’s requirements. A promotional video can be informative or evocative, depending on whether the emphasis is on providing information or building a brand image.
That is why it is crucial that the storyboard for promotional videos clearly visualizes your intentions.
How much does a storyboard cost?
The cost of a storyboard for promotional videos and other moving-image formats can be calculated in various ways, whether per frame, by setting daily rates, or by agreeing on a flat fee for large-scale projects. The technique used—whether digital or hand-drawn—generally has only a minor impact on the price per frame.
The price range is wide, and the cost per image can range from €20 to €100 or more, depending on the style and the person creating the storyboard.
Your custom storyboard.
If you need help creating a high-quality storyboard for your film projects, we’re here to help. PanFilm produces video content for all marketing channels and supports you through every phase of film production—from concept development and storyboarding to shoot planning, filming, and post-production.
Our range of services extends from corporate videos, product videos, recruitment videos, and training videos to various other forms of video content. We offer flexible packages tailored precisely to your specific needs.
We’d be happy to offer you a free consultation during the initial stages and provide a customized cost estimate that includes all prices, services, and relevant examples tailored to your budget.