How Storyboarding can get you more Video Clients

Storyboarding is a crucial step in the video production process, especially for freelance videographers working with clients. A well-crafted storyboard helps communicate your vision, align expectations, and streamline the production process. In this blog post, I’ll share my approach to storyboarding for freelance clients, offering practical advice and examples to ensure your projects run smoothly.

Understanding the Importance of Storyboarding

A storyboard is a visual representation of a video, breaking down the script into individual frames or scenes. It serves multiple purposes:

1. Visualizes the Concept: It helps clients and team members understand the visual flow of the video.

2. Aligns Expectations: Ensures everyone is on the same page regarding the video's look and feel.

3. Guides Production: Acts as a roadmap during the shooting and editing phases.

Step 1: Gather Information and Understand the Client’s Vision

Before you start storyboarding, gather all the necessary information about the project:

• Client Brief: Understand the client's goals, target audience, and key messages.

• Script: Have a finalized script or a detailed outline of the video's content.

• References: Collect visual references or examples that the client likes.

For instance, when working on a promotional video for a new product, I ask the client to provide examples of similar videos they admire. This helps me understand their aesthetic preferences and expectations.

Step 2: Break Down the Script

Once you have the script, break it down into individual scenes or shots. Identify the key moments that need to be visually represented. This breakdown will serve as the foundation for your storyboard.

For example, in a two-minute promotional video, the script might include scenes like the product introduction, features demonstration, customer testimonials, and a call-to-action.

Step 3: Sketch the Storyboard

Start sketching your storyboard, focusing on the key elements of each scene:

• Frame Composition: Sketch the composition of each shot, including the position of subjects and key elements.

• Action and Movement: Indicate any movement within the frame or camera movements.

• Dialogue and Audio: Note any dialogue, voiceovers, or important sound effects.

You don’t need to be a great artist to create a storyboard. Simple sketches and stick figures can effectively convey your ideas. For instance, when I storyboard a product demo, I use basic drawings to show the product’s position, any hand movements demonstrating its features, and relevant text overlays.

Step 4: Add Annotations and Details

Enhance your storyboard with annotations to provide more context:

• Shot Type: Indicate whether the shot is a close-up, medium shot, wide shot, etc.

• Camera Angles: Specify camera angles and perspectives.

• Transitions: Note any transitions between shots, such as cuts, fades, or wipes.

• Timing: Estimate the duration of each shot or scene.

For a promotional video, I might note that the opening shot is a wide shot of the product on a clean background, followed by a close-up of its key features with smooth transitions.

Step 5: Review and Refine

Review your storyboard with the client to ensure it aligns with their vision. Use this opportunity to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments. Clear communication during this phase is crucial to avoid misunderstandings later on.

For instance, I present the storyboard to the client in a meeting or through a detailed email, explaining each scene and how it contributes to the overall narrative. This collaborative review process helps fine-tune the storyboard before moving into production.

Step 6: Use Storyboarding Tools

While hand-drawn storyboards are effective, digital tools can enhance the process:

• Storyboarder: A free and user-friendly tool for creating digital storyboards.

• FrameForge: A professional software offering advanced features for detailed storyboarding.

• Canva: Useful for creating polished and visually appealing storyboards, especially for clients.

I often use Storyboarder for its simplicity and efficiency, allowing me to quickly create and share storyboards with clients for feedback.

Conclusion

Storyboarding is an essential step in the video production process, particularly for freelance videographers working with clients. By gathering information, breaking down the script, sketching scenes, adding details, and using digital tools, you can create compelling storyboards that effectively communicate your vision and ensure project success. Remember, a well-crafted storyboard not only aligns expectations but also serves as a guiding roadmap throughout the production process.