What Is a Storyboard, and Why Is It Used in Filmmaking?

Making great films takes a lot of planning, especially when working with film studios UK professionals who understand the importance of pre-production. The storyboard is at the heart of this process, and understanding what is a storyboard is crucial for any filmmaker. 

At Black Hangar Studios, we've found that what is storyboarding and mastering this visual planning technique can really make a production stand out. So today, we're going to break it down and explain what is a storyboard.

What's a Storyboard Anyway?

Think of your storyboard as a comic book. It's a visual breakdown of what happens in each scene, complete with notes about camera angles and other details. Instead of just reading words on a page, it gives you a clear roadmap. Many aspiring filmmakers wonder what is a storyboard and how it differs from a simple script; the answer lies in its visual nature that bridges the gap between written word and filmed reality.

The Building Blocks of Great Storyboarding

72.8% of filmmakers create really detailed storyboards, and 42.3% use them just for developing their story. That's no coincidence. These visual guides are super helpful because they let filmmakers:

• See how complex scenes will play out, which is essential when learning how to make a storyboard

• Get everyone in different departments on the same page

• Plan camera movements and shots

• Catch problems early on; this really saves you a headache down the line

• Estimate their budget way more accurately

Understanding what is the purpose of a storyboard becomes clear when you see how it streamlines the entire production process.

From Pencil Sketches to Digital Artistry

Storyboards used to be all about hand-drawn sketches. Legendary directors like Alfred Hitchcock and Steven Spielberg built their reps on storyboards, and many film studios UK operations still reference their traditional methods. With traditional storyboards, you get the freedom to make whatever you want. You can just grab a pencil and paper and start sketching out ideas when learning how to make a storyboard.

But let's be honest, they take forever to make and revise. You also can't edit them easily, and don't even get us started on trying to organise them all.

The Digital Revolution Changed Everything

Digital tools let filmmakers create and share ideas instantly, revolutionising what is storyboarding in the modern era. Here's how to create a storyboard digitally:

• Draw things up using software

• Add and edit photos

• Use AI to help generate storyboards

• Collaborate with your team on the same platform

The benefits of digital storyboards are apparent. You can edit things instantly and share with global teams, making how to create a storyboard more efficient than ever before.

Different Types for Different Needs

Traditional Storyboards: They're simple and hand-drawn. Perfect for projects on a tight budget when learning the basics of how to make a storyboard.

Thumbnail Storyboards: These are rough, quick sketches. They're ideal for fast brainstorming sessions and help answer what is storyboarding at its most fundamental level.

Digital Storyboards: Made with software, these offer flexibility and a professional look that many film studios UK prefer for international collaborations.

Animated Storyboards (Animatics): These moving storyboards show how scenes will come together.

3D Storyboards: They're advanced 3D visualisations that help plan camera movements.

Why This Stuff Actually Matters

What Is The Purpose Of A Storyboard in Pre-Production

The UK film industry is really taking off, with a massive £5.6 billion invested in production last year. In a sector like this, careful planning before filming starts is vital, and film studios UK operations depend heavily on effective pre-visualisation. What is the purpose of a storyboard in pre-production? It handles multiple critical functions:

• Script Breakdown: See the scenes play out in your mind

• Shot Planning: Work out the camera angles and where to move it

• Budget Estimation: Plan the resources you'll need

• Timeline Creation: Set a schedule that actually works

• Team Alignment: Get everyone on the same page

Understanding what is the purpose of a storyboard becomes essential when coordinating complex productions.

Communication That Actually Works

Modern filmmaking in the UK relies heavily on co-productions, with 86% of its budget coming from outside investment. Storyboards act as a common language that everyone can understand, which is why what is storyboarding knowledge is so valuable for international collaborations. They offer a clear way to ensure everyone is on the same page.

• Clear pics for tough action scenes

• Something to look at when talking things through

• Spotting issues before they blow up in your face

• Sparking ideas for the whole team

  
  

Mastering Action Sequences

Action sequences can be tricky, and knowing how to storyboard action scenes is a specialised skill that many film studios UK seek in their creative teams. Here's how to storyboard action scenes:

Getting the Action Right: Team up with stunt coordinators to choreograph the movements.

Moving the Camera: Plan out how the camera will follow the action.

Setting the Pace: Use your storyboards to find the right rhythm for your action sequences.

Safety First: Identify any potential hazards and find ways to minimise them. This is the most important part when learning how to storyboard action scenes.

Techniques Purpose Application

Multiple Angels Show complex Movements Fight scenes, chases

Motion Lines Indicate direction and speed Running, falling

Close up Inserts Highlight important details Weapeon impacts, expression

Wide Establishing Show saptial relationship Large scale battles

Rhythm Boards Control pacing Building tension

How Modern Storyboarding Is Changing Everything

The world of storyboarding has changed in a big way, and it's crazy how technology has mixed things up. Those days when being a sketch master was a must are behind us – now AI takes care of the hard stuff, letting you focus on bringing your story to life. Modern what is storyboarding techniques incorporate cutting-edge technology that wasn't available to previous generations.

Digital Tools That Actually Work

The world of storyboarding software is now overflowing with options, and it can be overwhelming. Here's what's worth checking out when learning how to create a storyboard:

• StudioBinder keeps everything under one roof. No more juggling multiple apps to manage your production.

• Boords has jumped on the AI trend, and their AI storyboard generator is seriously impressive for turning scripts into visuals without much effort.

• Toon Boom Storyboard Pro is still the top choice for animation studios. It's packed with advanced drawing tools and timeline integration that keep complex projects organised.

• Milanote shines when it comes to visual planning with teams spread across different time zones.

• Miro is perfect for collaborative storyboarding sessions with your team.

  
  

AI Is Getting Seriously Good

Here's where things get interesting: 50.6% of filmmakers are genuinely curious about AI integration, for good reason. AI's finally delivering on its promises and revolutionising how to make a storyboard.

• Faster creation processes that used to take days now take just hours

• Intelligent shot composition suggestions based on real filmmaking best practices

• Automatic variation generation, so you can explore different directions instantly

• Smarter collaboration through AI-powered recommendations that keep teams aligned

Tools like Katalist and Storyboarder.ai are pushing boundaries by turning entire scripts into complete storyboards with consistent characters and coherent visual narratives. LTX Studio takes it a step further, letting you build entire projects from just a sentence prompt.

Film Studios UK and International Collaboration

Black Hangar Studios is one of the top film studios UK has to offer, so it's no surprise they're on a lot of international productions. As a result, their storyboarding approach has really had to adapt. The UK film industry had a massive year in 2024, with a production spend of £5.6 billion. Most of that (86%) came from outside investment and co-productions, making film studios UK operations increasingly international in scope.

Here's what matters when you're working internationally:

• What works in one market might miss the mark in another.

• Technical standards alignment becomes crucial when sharing files.

• Language considerations can make or break communication.

• Time zone coordination requires tools that actually work asynchronously.

  
  

Budget Impact That Shows Up

Effective storyboarding can have a big impact on your bottom line, and accountants will love the results. The numbers show that when you storyboard well, things go more smoothly. This leads to:

• Fewer shooting days, no more scrambling on set to figure things out

• Fewer reshoots because everyone's on the same page; they know what they're aiming for

• Your VFX and props teams know exactly what to expect

• Happier, more productive crews, less downtime trying to figure out what's next

Genre-Specific Storyboarding That Works

Drama and Character-Driven Stories

Even films that have a lot of dialogue can gain from storyboarding, especially when it comes to hitting emotional notes, planning camera moves that back up the story, figuring out lighting design, and sorting out set decoration needs. Understanding what is storyboarding for dramatic content requires a different approach than action-heavy sequences.

Horror and Thriller Films

These genres rely heavily on visual storytelling, so storyboards are crucial. They help build tension and plan out scary and surprising moments. Storyboards also allow you to create atmosphere through visual design and coordinate special effects.

Science Fiction and Fantasy

Complex visual effects need careful planning, which is why detailed storyboarding is crucial. This process helps with VFX planning, creature design, keeping worlds consistent, and making sure all departments are on the same page.

Common Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

41.8% of filmmakers identify "failing to plan" as their biggest mistake. Here are the pitfalls that keep showing up:

• Being too vague about your panel descriptions is a no-go. Make sure you're including specific shot details and camera movements that your crew can actually make happen when learning how to create a storyboard.

• Ignoring continuity is when your characters or props are all over the place between shots. Keep track of what's happening with notes and reference materials; it'll save your editor a headache later.

• Overcomplicated shots happen when you plan impossible camera moves. Think about the physical limitations and budget constraints from the start to avoid this, especially when mastering how to storyboard action scenes.

• Poor communication starts when your storyboards don't clearly get your vision across. Include written descriptions and work closely with department heads to avoid misunderstandings.

  
  

Getting Good at Storyboarding

For those serious about mastering storyboarding, several pathways exist:

• Formal education still matters, whether that's film school, art courses, or online certifications.

• Industry resources like workshops, mentorship, and trade publications are a great way to get insider info.

• There's no substitute for hands-on experience; doing short films, commercials, and music videos gives you actual credits.

  
  

The Bottom Line

Getting the basics of storyboarding down is super important. A good storyboard turns ideas into reality and keeps everyone on the same page, which is why understanding what is a storyboard remains fundamental to filmmaking success.

At Black Hangar Studios, storyboarding really makes a difference in our projects - whether it's a small, intimate scene or a huge action scene requiring expertise in how to storyboard action scenes. Spend some time learning these skills, and it'll really pay off throughout your career, changing the way you bring stories from concept to screen. 

Whether you're working with major film studios UK operations or independent productions, mastering what is storyboarding will elevate your filmmaking craft to professional standards.