Use case

Create storyboards and animatics with AI

A storyboard exists to answer questions before the shoot: where is the camera, what is in frame, how does one shot cut to the next. Drawing it takes days; generating it takes an afternoon. Image models give you consistent frames with controlled angles and lighting, and short video clips turn the key beats into an animatic that investors, producers and crew can actually feel.

Why this approach works

• Shot language (wide, over-the-shoulder, low angle) is easy to specify in text and models respond well to it.
• A reference portrait per character keeps faces recognisable between panels, which is what makes a board readable.
• Moving a key frame into a 5 second clip shows pacing and camera movement, which static panels cannot.

Step-by-step workflow

1. 1

   Break the scene into beats

   List the story beats of the scene in one line each, then decide the shot for each: size, angle, camera movement and what changes. Ten to twenty panels is a typical scene.

2. 2

   Fix characters and locations

   Generate one reference image per main character and per location, and reuse them in every panel. Write a short fixed description (age, hair, clothes) to paste into each prompt.

3. 3

   Generate the panels

   Use an editing model with the references attached, and put the shot type first in the prompt: wide, medium, close-up. Keep a consistent look across panels with the same lens and lighting words.

4. 4

   Animate the critical beats

   Pick the three or four moments where camera movement or timing is the question and turn those panels into 5 second clips. Treat them as previews, not final footage.

5. 5

   Assemble the animatic

   Place the panels and clips on a timeline with temp dialogue and music, set durations by the script and export a short PDF board plus the animatic for your team or pitch deck.

Recommended models

Example prompts

What one scene board costs

A 15-panel scene with three key frames upgraded for a pitch and four animated previews of the moves that matter.

Character consistency is the usual source of retries. Panels are communication tools, not final art, so accept good enough and spend credits only where the pitch needs polish. Price your own mix with the video cost calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How do I keep characters consistent between panels?

Attach the same reference image of each character to every panel and paste a fixed description of their costume. Avoid changing lens or lighting words unless the story needs it.

Can I specify exact camera angles?

Yes, use standard shot terms such as wide, medium, close-up, low angle, over-the-shoulder and dutch angle. Results follow these terms well, though precise focal length is approximate.

Is an AI animatic good enough for a pitch?

It is often stronger than a sketch board because it shows tone, light and movement. Be clear it is a visual proposal, and avoid presenting generated faces as cast actors.

Can I reuse the images in the final film?

Storyboard images are intended for planning. If you want generated footage in a final cut, check the model licence and your distributor’s requirements first.

Related use cases

• AI influencerKeep one consistent AI character across photos and videos with a reference-image workflow.
• Music video visualizersTurn a track into looping, mood-driven visuals for Spotify canvases, Shorts and full-length videos.
• Game concept artExplore characters, environments and props quickly, then lock a visual direction for your game.