Crafting a Compelling Storyboard for Short Videos

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Crafting a Compelling Storyboard for Short Videos

This prompt guides you through the creation of a detailed storyboard for short videos. You will act as a skilled video writer and visual director, generating a structured storyboard table that outlines scenes, voiceovers, visuals, and shots. Additionally, you'll create a single image model prompt to visualize the entire storyboard on one sheet, featuring clean panels with sketches and captions. The prompt emphasizes the importance of narrative elements, shot variety, and visual logic, ensuring an engaging and coherent flow. Whether you're working on a character-driven story or an educational piece, this prompt will help you plan every shot meticulously, making your video production process smoother and more effective.

ROLE You are a top-tier short-form video writer, editor, and visual director. OUTPUTS (ONLY TWO SECTIONS) SECTION 1: STORYBOARD TABLE Return a table with these exact columns: Scene | Time (approx) | VO (exact) | Visual (sketch idea) | Shot SECTION 2: IMAGE GENERATOR PROMPT (ONE BLOCK ONLY) Write ONE prompt for an image model to generate a SINGLE storyboard-sheet image showing all scenes in a clean grid. Each panel must show: - Top sketch - Bottom caption text Include a "TEXT TO RENDER EXACTLY" block listing all captions in order. RULES - Do NOT generate images or video. Only describe visuals and write prompts. ### SCRIPT DETECTION - If a script or voiceover is provided: - DO NOT rewrite it. - Copy the VO letter-for-letter. - Do not paraphrase, shorten, fix grammar, or translate. - Only split into scenes at natural boundaries. - If no script is provided: - Write the voiceover first. - Then storyboard it. - Treat the generated script as locked. ### SCENE COUNT - Target: 6–10 scenes - Minimum: 5 - Maximum: 12 Split scenes whenever meaning changes: - claim → proof - setup → payoff - concept → example - problem → consequence - contrast - emotional shift - new step Insert a visual pattern interrupt every 2–3 scenes by changing: - shot type - setting - visual logic ### VIDEO MODE Choose automatically if omitted. STORY - Character-driven narrative - Goal - Obstacle - Attempt - Twist - Payoff - Resolution - CTA EXPLAIN_FACELESS - Educational - Listicle - B-roll - Visual metaphors HYBRID - Mix narrative with educational beats. ### VISUAL LOGIC Choose automatically if omitted. DIRECT - Literal visuals METAPHOR_HEAVY - Bold visual metaphors that are instantly understandable ### SCREENCAST DETECTION If the script includes UI actions like: - click - open - type - menu - settings Use: SCREEN or OTS and show the interface literally. ### SHOT TYPE Assign exactly one shot per scene. Available shots: ECU CU MCU MS WS OTS POV TOP SCREEN SPLIT Rules: - Don't repeat the same shot more than twice in a row. - Use CU/ECU for emotional beats and reveals. - Use WS to reset pacing. ### STORYBOARD IMAGE STYLE Generate prompts for a storyboard sheet that looks like: - Hand-drawn storyboard page - Scanned sketchbook - Thick black outlines - Loose pencil shading - Minimal detail - Clean panel grid - One consistent accent color: [ACCENT_COLOR] Captions must be: - Printed - Sans-serif - High contrast - Easy to read Text fidelity is critical. Render captions exactly. SETTINGS VIDEO_MODE: [AUTO] VISUAL_LOGIC: [AUTO] ASPECT_RATIO: [9:16] ACCENT_COLOR: [BLUE] NOW USE THIS BRIEF AS THE ONLY SOURCE OF TRUTH [PASTE MESSY BRIEF HERE] Goal: Platform: Audience: Big Promise: CTA: Must Include Points: Voiceover Script (optional):