Storyboard Design

Overview

Transforms written scripts into visual production plans. Defines specific shots with camera angles, movements, durations, and compositional references that guide the actual video production or editing process.

When to Use

Use this skill when:

• Script needs translation into specific visual shots
• Camera movements and angles need precise planning
• Shot durations and pacing require calculation
• Visual references and mood boards are needed
• Production team needs clear visual guidance
• Complex sequences require breakdown into individual shots

Don't use when:

• User has provided existing footage to edit (proceed directly to editing)
• Simple single-shot video with no camera movement
• Content is audio-only (podcast, music)

Core Pattern

Parse → Decompose → Design → Sequence → Reference

1. Parse: Analyze script for visual content, emotion, and timing
2. Decompose: Break narrative into discrete visual moments
3. Design: Specify each shot's technical parameters (type, angle, movement, duration)
4. Sequence: Arrange shots with appropriate transitions and rhythm
5. Reference: Gather visual references for style, composition, and mood

Quick Reference

Implementation

Script Parsing

def parse_script_for_visuals(script_segment):
    """
    Extract visual requirements from script text.
    """
    visual_analysis = {
        "time_code": "0:15-0:30",
        "action": "walking through Kyoto streets",
        "emotion": "peaceful, contemplative",
        "key_elements": ["stone pavement", "traditional buildings", "cherry blossoms"],
        "movement": "continuous forward motion",
        "lighting": "afternoon, dappled sunlight"
    }
    return visual_analysis

Shot Decomposition

def decompose_into_shots(visual_analysis, total_duration):
    """
    Break narrative moment into individual shots.
    """
    shots = [
        {
            "shot_number": 1,
            "type": "wide",
            "duration": 5,
            "description": "Street perspective, establishing depth",
            "camera": "static, eye level",
            "lighting": "natural afternoon side light"
        },
        {
            "shot_number": 2,
            "type": "medium",
            "duration": 5,
            "description": "Subject from behind, walking",
            "camera": "tracking, following",
            "lighting": "backlit silhouette"
        },
        {
            "shot_number": 3,
            "type": "close-up",
            "duration": 5,
            "description": "Cherry blossom petals falling",
            "camera": "static, slow motion",
            "lighting": "backlit, translucent petals"
        }
    ]
    return shots

Shot Specification

def specify_shot(shot_concept):
    """
    Create complete shot specification.
    """
    shot_spec = {
        "shot_id": "S01_03",
        "time_code": "0:25-0:30",
        "duration_seconds": 5,
        
        "shot_type": "close-up",
        "shot_size": "extreme_close-up",  # wide, medium, close-up, etc.
        
        "camera": {
            "angle": "eye level",  # eye level, low, high, dutch
            "movement": "static",  # static, push, pull, pan, tilt, track
            "speed": "normal",  # normal, slow, fast
            "lens": "85mm"  # focal length/effect
        },
        
        "composition": {
            "rule": "rule_of_thirds",  # rule_of_thirds, center, symmetry
            "subject_position": "center",
            "depth": "shallow"  # deep, shallow
        },
        
        "lighting": {
            "quality": "soft",  # hard, soft
            "direction": "backlight",  # front, side, back, top
            "color_temp": "warm"  # warm, cool, neutral
        },
        
        "content": {
            "subject": "cherry blossom petals",
            "action": "falling slowly",
            "foreground": "out of focus branch",
            "background": "blurred street scene"
        },
        
        "sound": {
            "music": "continues from previous",
            "sfx": "soft wind, petal rustle",
            "voice": "none"
        },
        
        "notes": "Shoot at 60fps for slow motion playback",
        "reference_images": ["ref_sakura_01.jpg"]
    }
    return shot_spec

Transition Planning

def plan_transition(from_shot, to_shot, style="natural"):
    """
    Determine transition type between shots.
    """
    transitions = {
        "natural": {
            "cut": "standard, direct",
            "fade": "time passage, mood shift",
            "dissolve": "memory, connection",
            "wipe": "energetic, modern"
        },
        "match_cut": {
            "graphic": "shape/color continuity",
            "movement": "action continues across cut",
            "sound": "audio bridges visual change"
        }
    }
    
    # Choose based on content relationship and pacing needs
    return select_transition(from_shot, to_shot, style)

Mood Board Creation

def create_mood_board(project_style):
    """
    Compile visual references for production.
    """
    mood_board = {
        "project": "Summer Travel",
        "style": "healing/natural",
        
        "color_palette": {
            "primary": ["#FFD700", "#98FB98", "#87CEEB"],
            "secondary": ["#FFFFFF", "#FFB6C1"],
            "mood": "warm, fresh, bright"
        },
        
        "lighting_references": [
            {"type": "golden_hour", "description": "Warm, soft, directional"},
            {"type": "backlight_silhouette", "description": "Contours, rim light"}
        ],
        
        "composition_references": [
            {"technique": "rule_of_thirds", "use": "Landscape horizons"},
            {"technique": "leading_lines", "use": "Paths, roads, rivers"},
            {"technique": "frame_within_frame", "use": "Doorways, arches"}
        ],
        
        "film_references": [
            {"title": "Little Forest", "elements": "Natural light, food, seasons"},
            {"title": "Our Little Sister", "elements": "Warm family moments, tradition"}
        ]
    }
    return mood_board

Common Mistakes

Shot List Template

{
  "project": "Travel Video",
  "scene": "Kyoto Streets",
  "total_duration": 15,
  "shots": [
    {
      "id": "S01_01",
      "time": "0:00-0:05",
      "type": "wide",
      "duration": 5,
      "description": "Street establishing shot",
      "camera": "static, eye level",
      "notes": "Get depth, both sides of street"
    },
    {
      "id": "S01_02", 
      "time": "0:05-0:10",
      "type": "medium",
      "duration": 5,
      "description": "Subject walking away",
      "camera": "tracking, following",
      "notes": "Maintain consistent distance"
    },
    {
      "id": "S01_03",
      "time": "0:10-0:15", 
      "type": "close-up",
      "duration": 5,
      "description": "Cherry blossom petals",
      "camera": "static, slow motion",
      "notes": "Shoot 60fps for slow mo"
    }
  ]
}

Red Flags - Design Issues

• Same shot size repeated: More than 2 consecutive shots of same type
• Unclear camera direction: Vague descriptions like "move camera around"
• Missing time calculations: Shot durations don't add up to scene duration
• Impossible transitions: Suggesting continuous movement across incompatible shots
• No lighting plan: Assuming lighting will "work out" on set
• Over-reliance on effects: Using transitions/effects to fix poor shot planning
• Ignoring audio: Visual plan without sound design consideration