---
title: "How to Make a Storyboard Even If You Can’t Draw (Guide)"
description: "Step-by-step storyboarding for filmmakers: frames, shot sizes, arrows for movement, reference photos instead of drawings, and exporting a PDF contact sheet."
url: https://kathekaara.in/blog/how-to-make-a-storyboard
published: 2026-10-11T04:00:00.000Z
updated: 2026-10-11T04:00:00.000Z
---

# How to Make a Storyboard (Even If You Can’t Draw)

By Gireesh Shanbbhag, Actor | Filmmaker | Screen Writer | Editor · Published 2026-10-11

**Quick answer:** To make a storyboard, start from the shot list, draw (or photograph) one frame per shot showing composition — who is where, shot size and camera angle — and add arrows for camera or character movement. Under each frame, write the shot number, a one-line description, dialogue or sound cue and duration. Stick figures, phone photos with friends standing in, or reference stills all work; clarity matters more than art.

## Key takeaways

- Storyboard the scenes that are complex, expensive or emotionally critical — not necessarily every scene.
- Each frame = one shot from the shot list .
- Use simple symbols: arrows for movement, a box for a zoom, a dashed line for a pan.
- Photo boards (phone photos of stand-ins on location) are fast and very accurate.

## Why storyboard at all?

A storyboard lets the director, cinematographer, art department and VFX team see the same film before shooting. It exposes problems early — a missing angle, an impossible camera move, a set wall that must be removable — when they cost nothing to fix. It also speeds up the day: everyone knows the next setup.

## How do you make a storyboard, step by step?

- Pick the scenes. Action, stunts, VFX, songs, chase sequences and key emotional moments.
- Write the shot list first. Shot size, angle, movement and lens for each shot.
- Prepare frames in the aspect ratio you will shoot (16:9, 2.39:1).
- Sketch composition: where characters stand, the horizon line, foreground objects. Stick figures are fine.
- Show movement with arrows: camera arrows outside or across the frame, character arrows inside.
- Caption each frame: shot number (22B), description, dialogue or sound cue, estimated duration.
- Review with the cinematographer , then share with departments.

## What if I can't draw?

- Photo boards: visit the location with two friends, frame each shot on your phone, and use the photos.
- Reference frames: pull stills from films with similar compositions (for internal use only).
- 3D previsualisation: free 3D tools let you place mannequins and cameras.
- Simple shapes: circles for heads, rectangles for bodies, arrows for direction — that is enough for a crew to read.

## What should each frame include?

- Shot number matching the shot list and slate
- Shot size and angle
- Characters and key props in position
- Movement arrows
- Dialogue, sound effect or music cue
- Transition to the next frame, if specific (match cut, smash cut)

## Storyboarding a song sequence

Song sequences in Indian films are often shot in many locations with choreographed camera moves. Board them by lyric line or musical phrase: each frame notes the timecode in the track, location, choreography beat and camera move. This helps the choreographer, cinematographer and editor work from the same plan.

## Storyboards in Kathe Kaara

In [Kathe Kaara](/), each shot in the shot list can hold one or more storyboard frames — upload sketches, photos or reference images, reorder frames by dragging, and export a storyboard PDF contact sheet for the crew. Because frames are linked to shots and shots to script lines, a script change shows you exactly which boards need updating.

## Frequently asked questions

### How many frames does a storyboard need?

One per planned shot, plus extra frames for shots with significant movement.

### What is an animatic?

A storyboard edited into a video with timing, temporary sound and music, used to test pacing before shooting.

### Do low-budget films need storyboards?

Yes, for complex scenes. They save the most money where time on set is scarce.

### What size should storyboard frames be?

Use your final aspect ratio; 6 to 9 frames per printed page is common for contact sheets.

*Cover photo: Hand-drawn storyboard-style frame sketches — by Danae Paparis on *[Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/black-sketch-cj6Am4O7YJs?utm_source=kathekaara&utm_medium=referral)*.*