Storyboard Template
Frames plus caption lines for film/animation.
The Storyboard Template provides a row of rectangular frames — each proportioned at a 16:9 widescreen ratio to mimic a film or video frame — with ruled lines beneath every box for shot descriptions, camera directions, and dialogue notes. Grades 3 through 8 use it whenever a project moves from page to screen: film studies units, student-made documentaries, stop-motion animation, explainer videos, digital storytelling, and multimedia presentations. The framed format teaches students to think like directors — deciding on camera angles, scene transitions, and pacing before a single second of footage is captured. Unlike a simple comic strip, the caption lines are wider and labelled for action, dialogue, and notes, nudging students toward the professional vocabulary of filmmaking and animation production.
Learning objectives
- Plan a video, animation, or presentation shot-by-shot before production begins
- Apply basic camera terminology: wide shot, close-up, over-the-shoulder
- Sequence visual and audio information simultaneously
- Reduce production errors by thinking through each scene in advance
- Develop pre-production habits used in real film and media industries
- Connect written narrative planning with visual media creation
How to use this template
- Download and print the free PDF on letter or A4 paper — share one sheet per student or one per group.
- Fill in the project title and director name at the top, then number each frame.
- Sketch a rough thumbnail of each shot in the widescreen frame — stick figures and simple backgrounds are fine.
- Write shot type (wide/medium/close), character action, and any spoken lines in the caption lines below each frame.
- Use the completed storyboard as a production guide during filming, checking off frames as each shot is captured.
Classroom & home ideas
- Before a book-trailer assignment, have students storyboard every shot so the actual filming session runs efficiently.
- Use in a media literacy lesson: compare student storyboards to frames from a published animated short to discuss professional planning.
- Assign a public service announcement project where students storyboard a 30-second video about a school value.
- In a science unit, have groups storyboard an explainer video about a concept (water cycle, food chain) before recording.
- Use as a substitute for a written essay outline: students plan an argumentative video with evidence in each frame instead of prose paragraphs.
Skills & curriculum links
Frequently asked questions
How is a storyboard template different from a comic strip template?
Storyboard frames are widescreen (16:9) to match video and screen proportions, and the caption areas are structured for production notes — shot type, action, and audio — rather than dialogue bubbles or narrative captions.
Do students need to draw well to use this template?
No. Storyboard sketches are meant to be quick visual cues, not finished art. Stick figures, arrows showing movement, and simple shapes communicate camera direction perfectly well.
Can this template be used for animation projects, not just live video?
Absolutely. It works for stop-motion, Scratch animations, whiteboard explainers, or any sequential visual medium. The frame proportions and note fields are equally useful for any screen-based storytelling.
How many frames should a student storyboard include?
It depends on the project. A 30-second video might need 6–10 frames; a 2-minute short might use 20 or more. The template can be printed multiple times and stapled together for longer projects.
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