What are the best ways to use existing storyboarding templates or frameworks to accelerate the process?

1 Choose a template that suits your project

The first step is to choose a template that suits your project's genre, style, and format. There are many free and paid online resources that offer a variety of templates for different types of videos, such as commercials, documentaries, animations, explainer videos, etc. You can also find templates that are tailored to specific platforms, such as YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok. Depending on your needs, you can opt for a simple or detailed template, with or without annotations, sketches, or images. The key is to choose a template that matches your project's goals and expectations, and that you can easily customize and adapt.

2 Fill in the template with your content

The next step is to fill in the template with your content, such as the script, the shot list, the camera angles, the transitions, the sound effects, the music, etc. You can use the template as a guide, but don't be afraid to make changes or add elements that are relevant to your project. For example, you can use different colors, fonts, symbols, or icons to highlight important information or convey emotions. You can also use placeholders, stock images, or rough sketches to illustrate your scenes, and refine them later. The main goal is to create a clear and coherent storyboard that tells your story effectively.

3 Share and get feedback on your storyboard

The final step is to share and get feedback on your storyboard from your team, clients, or stakeholders. This is where using a template or framework can be very helpful, as it can make your storyboard more organized, professional, and easy to understand. You can use online tools or platforms that allow you to share your storyboard as a PDF, a slideshow, a video, or an interactive prototype. You can also use features that enable you to comment, annotate, edit, or revise your storyboard collaboratively. The main goal is to get constructive feedback that can help you improve your storyboard and your video.

Using existing storyboarding templates or frameworks can be a great way to accelerate the process and save time and energy. However, you should always remember that a template or framework is not a substitute for your creativity and originality. You should use them as a starting point, but not as a limitation. You should always try to make your storyboard unique and engaging, and reflect your vision and style.