Lesson 5: Storyboarding: Turning Ideas into Scenes and Shots

Why this lesson matters

A storyboard is your visual plan. It helps you:

• turn your story into clear scenes,
• avoid confusion when filming,
• and save time (and data!) because you’ll know exactly what to record.

You don’t need to be “good at drawing.” Stick figures are enough. What matters is clarity.

Learning goals

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Break your story into 8–12 simple frames
2. Turn your script outline into scenes and shots
3. Add basic details: location, action, audio, and message
4. Create a storyboard that is easy to film using a phone

What is a storyboard?

A storyboard is a sequence of boxes (frames).
Each box shows:

• What we see (visual)
• What we hear (audio / narration)
• What it means (message)

Think of it like a “comic strip” version of your video.

The storyboard formula (simple + powerful)

For each frame, capture these 4 essentials:

1. Visual (What we see)
2. Action (What is happening)
3. Audio (Narration / dialogue / sound)
4. Purpose (Why this frame matters)

If you do only one thing, do this: Every frame must move the story forward.

Common shot types (use these in your storyboard)

You’ll use shot types to make the story more interesting and clear.

1) Wide Shot (WS)

Shows the place / context.
Use it for: setting the scene.

2) Medium Shot (MS)

Shows a person from waist up or shows action clearly.
Use it for: conversations or important actions.

3) Close-Up (CU)

Shows details (face emotion, hands, object, tears, phone screen, etc.).
Use it for: emotion and meaning.

Pro tip: A good short story often uses this pattern:
Wide → Medium → Close-Up → Close-Up → Medium → Wide (ending)

Mini-guide: How to build Storyboard v1 (8–12 frames)

Step 1: Choose your story spine (from your previous lesson)

Your story should have:

• Hook
• Key moments
• Ending

Write your hook and ending in one line each:

Hook (1 line): ___________________________
Ending (1 line): ___________________________

Step 2: Break your story into frames

Aim for 8–12 frames.
A simple structure can look like:

1. Hook (grab attention)
2. Introduce the setting (where are we?)
3. Introduce the character (who is speaking / being shown?)
4. The problem or challenge
5. The moment that shows the struggle
6. Turning point / change begins
7. What we learned / what changed
8. Message (what the story means)
9. Call-to-action or reflection
10. Ending / final image

Step 3: Fill the storyboard boxes (frame template)

Copy this format for each frame:

Frame #:
Shot Type: (WS / MS / CU)
What we see:
What we hear: (narration, voice, interview quote, ambient sound)
Location:
Purpose: (what this frame communicates)

Example storyboard (short sample – 6 frames)

Here’s an example for a story about school attendance / motivation:

Frame 1 (Hook)
Shot Type: CU
What we see: Feet walking quickly, dust on shoes
What we hear: “People think I’m lazy… but they don’t know what mornings look like.”
Location: Road/path
Purpose: grabs attention + sets emotion

Frame 2
Shot Type: WS
What we see: A simple home setting / early morning
What we hear: Rooster + quiet room sound
Location: Home
Purpose: context

Frame 3
Shot Type: MS
What we see: Student packing books
What we hear: “Sometimes the challenge isn’t school… it’s getting there.”
Purpose: story clarity

Frame 4
Shot Type: CU
What we see: Hand holding empty coin purse / transport money
What we hear: “No transport. No lunch. But still I try.”
Purpose: shows the struggle

Frame 5 (Turning point)
Shot Type: MS
What we see: A friend offers a lift / teacher encourages
What we hear: “Then one day, someone noticed… and helped.”
Purpose: change begins

Frame 6 (Ending)
Shot Type: WS
What we see: Student walking into school gate
What we hear: “What’s missing is… support. Every learner deserves a chance.”
Purpose: message + close

Activity: Create your Storyboard v1 (8–12 frames)

What you’ll do

1. Create 8–12 storyboard frames
2. Label each frame with a shot type
3. Add at least 2 close-ups (emotion/details)
4. Add at least 2 wide shots (context)
5. Write 1–2 lines of narration or audio notes per frame