Shooting Boards for Action Scenes: Why Every Great Action Scene Starts on Paper

Action scenes in movies are incredibly controlled. When an explosion feels believable or a chase scene keeps your eyes locked to the screen, it’s not luck. Someone planned it that way. Shooting boards are where that clarity starts.

Shooting boards serve two critical purposes. First, they give the filming crew a clear roadmap. The director, cinematographer, and crew need to know exactly how a scene should unfold, what moves when, where the camera goes, and how the actors and props interact. That’s the practical side. But there’s a second, equally important purpose: guiding the audience’s eye and attention. A well-planned sequence ensures that, even in the midst of chaos or rapid action, viewers instinctively know where to look and what matters. Every frame, every gesture, every cut starts on paper, balancing the technical needs of production with the storytelling needs of the audience.

Motion Has Rules

Before cameras, stunt rigs, or digital effects, motion exists as an idea. On paper, that idea has to work. The path of movement, the timing between cuts, the camera position, the energy of each gesture… these are the real ingredients of an action scene. If it doesn’t work in sketches, it won’t work when you film it.

A good shooting board treats motion like music. You need rhythm, pauses, and contrast. Fast cuts lose their power without slower beats in between. A chase scene is just noise if there’s no visual structure behind it. The drawings don’t just describe what happens; they show how it feels.

I’ve worked with directors who think of shooting boards as a safety net, but they’re more like a conductor’s score. They keep every department (camera, stunt, lighting, and visual effects) on the same beat. When the boards are clear, everyone moves with confidence.

The Language of Action

There’s a reason some directors’ action scenes feel easy to follow, even when they’re chaotic. They understand visual grammar. Every cut and camera move has to guide the audience through space. Without that logic, you lose them.

Shooting boards use that same grammar. You build a sense of direction through composition and continuity. A wide shot establishes geography. A close-up builds tension. A quick insert gives impact. Each frame leads naturally to the next so the viewer never has to guess what’s happening.

I spend a lot of time thinking about where the eye will land in each panel. If the hero runs left to right in one shot, I keep that direction consistent until there’s a deliberate reason to change it. That kind of visual discipline makes action feel clean, not confusing.

Drawing Movement

Drawing movement is not about sketching blur. It’s about showing weight, intention, and flow. The angle of a shoulder or the bend of a leg can tell you how fast something moves or how hard it hits. A drawing that captures that force gives the director something to build on.

The best action shooting boards almost vibrate on the page. The drawings might be loose, but the momentum is clear. You can feel the camera tilting, the character twisting, or the explosion pushing the frame outward. Good draftsmanship matters here. If the anatomy or perspective is off, the energy dies.

When I draw a complex stunt, I think about the laws of motion as much as the story. Gravity, follow-through, anticipation—they all show up in the drawing. You can cheat a lot with effects later, but if the foundation isn’t there in the boards, something will always feel off.

Working with Stunts and Camera

Action scenes are a team sport. Shooting boards let you communicate with the departments that bring the danger to life. Stunt coordinators use boards to time their choreography. Camera operators plan their rigs around what the boards show. Even visual effects artists rely on them to know when to step in and when to stay invisible.

When I hand off a sequence, it’s not just about the cool shot. It’s about giving every person on set a map they can actually use. The boards have to be readable, not decorative. If the stunt team can’t tell where someone lands after a jump, the drawing failed.

Directors who understand this process tend to get better performances. They know when to push realism and when to stylize. They know what to shoot practically and what to enhance later. That confidence starts with strong visual planning.

Keeping the Viewer Oriented

The hardest part of action shooting boards is orientation. It’s easy to get lost in the excitement and forget what the viewer will actually understand. A great action scene always has an internal compass. The audience should know where they are, what’s at stake, and how each shot connects.

I like to think about it like chess. Every move has to make sense in relation to the last one. The camera is your opponent’s perspective. The drawings are your plan. You’re not just showing movement—you’re controlling how it’s perceived.

That’s why you can have two car chases with the same budget and one will feel thrilling while the other feels like a blur. One director understands spatial storytelling. The other just filmed cars moving fast.

Shooting Boards vs. Chaos

Without boards, action scenes become expensive guesswork. Every new camera angle means resetting, every unclear sequence means wasted time. A shooting board isn’t just a visual aid; it’s a cost saver. It prevents mistakes before they happen.

Studios know this. That’s why even large-scale productions rely heavily on boards. When the director of photography and the visual effects supervisor can agree on how the scene flows, the entire shoot moves smoother. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s the backbone of efficiency.

The Problem with “Fix It in Post”

There’s a dangerous phrase that floats around film sets: “We’ll fix it in post.” It’s another way of saying, “We didn’t plan this properly.” Shooting boards exist to kill that phrase. When the flow of action is already mapped out, editors aren’t scrambling to find a rhythm later. They’re cutting to a plan that already works.

You can always adjust timing, add effects, or tweak performances, but you can’t fix a story that was never clear to begin with. A drawing that communicates motion accurately saves everyone from confusion down the line.

The Human Advantage

There’s a lot of talk about AI image tools replacing sketch work. They can generate flashy visuals, sure. But clarity, intent, and continuity are not algorithmic. Machines don’t understand how to sustain action through camera logic or character performance.

A human shooting board artist can read a script, sense what the director wants, and build energy with restraint. You know when to cut, when to hold, and when to break rhythm. That judgment comes from understanding how stories move, not just how they look.

Great action scenes rely on that instinct. You have to feel the story beat by beat. You can’t automate that.

Why It Still Starts on Paper

Even with 3D previs and digital tools, the first step of designing motion often starts with a pencil or stylus. It’s faster to think in drawings than in code. It’s where ideas breathe. You can explore, adjust, and discard freely until the rhythm feels right.

Paper is where mistakes are cheap and discoveries are quick. Once that motion is locked in the drawings, everything else becomes easier—camera setups, edit timing, even sound design. The entire pipeline benefits from visual clarity at the start.

That’s why I still believe every great action scene starts on paper. Not because it’s traditional, but because it’s effective.

Closing

Action looks effortless when it’s done right. But behind that smoothness is planning, understanding, and drawing that moves. Shooting boards are not decoration. They’re direction. They keep the story clear when the chaos hits.

📩 Reach out: paul@paultemplestudios.com
🎨 Explore more: paultemplestudios.com

Want more blog posts on this topic?
1. See It Before You Shoot It: The Power of Shooting Boards
2. What Filmmakers Want from Shooting Boards: Save Time, Money and Communicate Clearly
3. Common Mistakes Directors Avoid with Shooting Boards

Building the Perfect Reveal in Storyboards

There are few things more satisfying in film or advertising than a reveal that lands. The doors swing open, the product comes into view, or the hero steps out of the shadows. When done right, it feels effortless. When done wrong, you can almost hear the audience shrug.

As a storyboard artist, I spend a lot of my time building those moments. The “big reveal” might look like one perfect frame in the finished film, but it usually takes a lot of drawings, bad ideas, and timing tweaks to get there. Think of it as visual carpentry: the camera is your hammer, the pacing is your nails, and if you cut the wood just a hair too short, the whole thing wobbles.

Let’s dig into how I approach reveals in storyboards, why it takes more than software to pull one off, and how the human touch makes all the difference.

What Counts as a “Reveal”?

A reveal can be as simple as pulling the lid off a new burger in a commercial, or as complex as Luke discovering the truth about Darth Vader. In both cases, the audience is leaning in, waiting for that payoff.

Reveals usually fall into three categories:

1. Object reveals – the shiny car, the bottle of perfume, the new phone.

2. Character reveals – a villain stepping into frame, a romantic lead making eye contact for the first time.

3. Information reveals – the twist, the hidden note, the “oh no, the call is coming from inside the house” moment.

As a storyboard artist, my job is to figure out how to set those moments up visually so the director, cinematographer, and editor all have a roadmap for how it will play out.

Building Anticipation Before the Payoff

A reveal without anticipation is just a cut.

If I draw a storyboard that shows the product sitting on a table from the very first frame, we’ve lost the suspense. But if I draw hands unwrapping a box, a close-up of paper tearing, maybe a shadow creeping across the table, suddenly the audience is leaning forward.

It’s the difference between:

• Frame 1: Here’s the car.

• Frame 2: Still the car.

• Frame 3: More car.

…versus…

• Frame 1: A close-up of headlights flicking on in the dark.

• Frame 2: A slow push as we see chrome details in shadow.

• Frame 3: The car emerges under a spotlight, polished and powerful.

Same product. Very different impact.

Timing: The Invisible Ingredient

Timing is where the human touch matters most.

A reveal drawn too quickly doesn’t feel dramatic. Drag it out too long and people get restless. You need that Goldilocks middle zone where the moment stretches just enough, then snaps into payoff.

Here’s where I act as a story consultant. I’m not just drawing pretty frames. I’m helping a director communicate the grammar of the scene: how long to hold a beat, when to cut, where to place the camera so the surprise feels natural and earned.

Software can spit out renders or fill in gaps, but it can’t feel the rhythm of an audience’s heartbeat. Humans do.

Composition and the Art of Withholding

A big part of storyboarding a reveal is deciding what not to show.

I’ll often sketch frames where the subject is half-hidden, behind a door, cropped by the edge of the panel, obscured in shadow. This creates curiosity. The audience starts asking, “What am I not seeing?” And curiosity is the fuel of every good reveal.

Sometimes it’s as simple as drawing a close-up of a character’s reaction before showing what they’re reacting to. Other times it’s hiding a product in plain sight but only spotlighting it when the moment is right.

The principle is the same: restraint makes payoff possible.

Why Human Instinct Matters

You could ask, “Why can’t this just be automated?” After all, there are algorithms that know where to place a camera, how to light a scene, even how to generate a dozen variations of a shot in seconds.

But a reveal is more than geometry and rendering. It’s about human psychology.

• I know when a shot feels too obvious.

• I know when the setup isn’t paying off emotionally.

• I know when the audience is smarter than the trick we’re trying to pull.

These are judgment calls, not math problems. They come from experience, taste, and yes, gut instinct. A storyboard artist is a filter, making sure the reveal doesn’t just happen, but actually works.

Case Study: The Product Drop

Let’s say I’m storyboarding a spot for a new pair of running shoes. The brief says: “Make them look fast, desirable, and different.”

If I draw the shoes sitting on a pedestal under bright lights, sure, they look nice. But if I storyboard:

• Frame 1: A runner lacing up in shadow.

• Frame 2: A shot of feet pounding the pavement in blur.

• Frame 3: A freeze as dust clears, revealing the new shoes in full clarity.

Now we’ve built a reveal. The product isn’t just shown. It’s earned.

The Role of Sound in Visual Planning

Even though I don’t draw sound, I think about it constantly.

Is there a music swell before the reveal? A pause of silence right before the object drops into frame? Sound is invisible in a storyboard, but the rhythm of the panels has to leave room for it.

That’s another reason the human hand matters. I’m thinking in terms of beats, not just images. A good reveal storyboard is practically a metronome for the director and editor.

Collaboration: The Reveal as Team Sport

The truth is, I’m not the only one responsible for a great reveal. Storyboarding is just one piece of the process.

The director has to trust the vision, the DP has to light it, the editor has to pace it, and the actors (or product handlers) have to deliver.

My job is to give everyone a shared map. When I draw a reveal well, I’m not just solving problems for myself, I’m making the entire team’s job easier.

Why I Love Reveals

I’ll be honest: reveals are some of my favorite things to storyboard.

They’re puzzles. They’re challenges. They force me to think like an audience member and a filmmaker at the same time. And when I get it right, there’s a rush in knowing that somewhere down the line, a room full of people will gasp, laugh, or sit forward in their seats because of a sequence I sketched out with a pencil.

That’s why the human touch matters. A reveal isn’t just a technical beat. It’s an emotional one. And emotions don’t come from algorithms. They come from people telling stories to other people.

Final Frame

So, the next time you watch a movie and a villain steps out of the dark, or you see a commercial where a product appears at just the right moment, remember: that didn’t happen by accident. Someone drew it first. Someone thought about the timing, the composition, the psychology, and the anticipation.

And if that someone did their job right, you didn’t just see the reveal…you felt it.

That’s the difference a storyboard artist brings to the table. That’s the difference the human touch makes.

📩 Reach out: paul@paultemplestudios.com
🎨 Explore more: www.paultemplestudios.com

Want more blog posts on this topic?
1. Landing the Laugh: Storyboarding Pepsi Zero Sugar’s Super Bowl Spots
2. Understanding Context and Subtext: Why Choosing the Right Storyboard Artist Matters
3. The Human Element: Why Observation Still Beats AI in Visual Development

What Filmmakers Want from Shooting Boards: Save Time, Money and Communicate Clearly

In filmmaking, the words “time is money” are not just a cliché. They are the foundation of how projects are planned, budgeted, and executed. Shooting boards and storyboards have become one of the most trusted tools for filmmakers because they offer something rare in the creative process: clarity. But when a director or producer hires a storyboard artist, what are they really asking for? It is not just drawings. It is confidence. It is alignment. It is the ability to see the film before the cameras ever roll. In this post, I want to walk through what filmmakers actually want from shooting boards, why they matter in every stage of production, and how a professional storyboard artist brings value beyond sketches.

The Real Need Behind Shooting Boards

Every filmmaker, no matter their style, has one thing in common: they want their vision executed on screen as closely as possible to what they imagine. Shooting boards are a way of translating those ideas into a language that the entire crew can understand. They strip away confusion and provide a visual blueprint. When a filmmaker sits down with a storyboard artist, what they want most is not art for art’s sake, but a tool that communicates ideas so clearly that misinterpretation is almost impossible.

In essence, shooting boards are pre-visualizations. They are the bridge between the creative chaos of brainstorming and the logistical reality of production. They help directors ask the right questions early. Do we really need a crane shot? Can this dialogue scene be covered in three setups instead of five? Should the camera move or should the actors move? By committing these questions to paper, filmmakers reduce uncertainty and avoid costly mistakes.

Clarity in Communication

One of the biggest challenges on any set is communication. Directors know what they want in their heads, but explaining that vision to a director of photography, production designer, stunt coordinator, or VFX supervisor can feel like a game of telephone. Shooting boards cut through that problem by showing rather than telling.

Imagine trying to describe a complicated tracking shot verbally. You can talk about camera movement, subject framing, and timing, but without visuals there is room for misunderstanding. A shooting board can present that same idea in a single frame or sequence of frames. Every department can look at it and instantly understand how their work supports the shot.

This clarity saves time during production, when every minute matters. Crews no longer have to guess. They do not have to stop and ask for clarification. They already know what is expected because the visual plan has been laid out ahead of time.

Efficiency That Saves Money and Headaches

Filmmaking is expensive. Sets are built, gear is rented, and crews are paid by the day. Every unnecessary delay or mistake has a price tag attached. Shooting boards are a form of insurance against waste.

By planning shots in advance, filmmakers can identify unnecessary setups or overly complex sequences that will eat up valuable time on set. A single drawing might reveal that a complicated crane move could be replaced with a simpler handheld shot without losing impact. That realization saves hours of setup and thousands of dollars in equipment and labor.

Shooting boards also streamline the workflow for the entire crew. The assistant director can build a schedule around them. The cinematographer can plan lenses and lighting. The art department knows exactly what needs to be built or dressed in the background. When everyone works from the same visual guide, production runs smoother, faster, and with fewer surprises.

Creative Confidence

Filmmakers are often working under pressure, balancing creative ambition with practical limitations. Shooting boards provide a form of rehearsal on paper. They allow directors and cinematographers to test ideas visually before committing time and money to them.

This rehearsal creates creative confidence. A director might be unsure if a scene plays better with static shots or moving cameras. By sketching both options, the filmmaker can compare pacing and emotional tone before stepping on set. The board becomes a safe space to experiment without risk.

That confidence matters not only to the director but also to the team. When a crew sees detailed shooting boards, they gain trust in the project. They know the director has a plan. They know what they are working toward. That shared confidence raises morale and helps everyone perform at their best.

Preventing Production Risks

Miscommunication on set can derail even the most carefully planned shoot. Missing shots, continuity errors, or unclear blocking can force costly reshoots or leave a story broken in the editing room. Shooting boards reduce these risks by making potential problems visible before cameras roll.

For example, a board might reveal that two planned shots will not cut together smoothly, or that an actor’s eyeline does not match. Spotting those issues early allows the team to adjust before wasting time and money on set. Shooting boards are not just about inspiration. They are about risk management.

The Storyboard Artist as a Creative Partner

This is where the role of a professional storyboard artist becomes crucial. A filmmaker can sketch rough ideas themselves, but an experienced artist does more than draw. They act as a story consultant. They know how to translate abstract concepts into cinematic language. They understand pacing, framing, camera movement, and how images flow together.

When I work with filmmakers, my role is to listen carefully to their ideas and then transform them into visuals that serve both the creative vision and the practical needs of production. I think about how the boards will be used on set. I design them to be clear, direct, and readable in the fast-paced environment of filmmaking. My job is to bring clarity, not confusion.

In this sense, the storyboard artist is a collaborator. We help directors and producers sharpen their ideas, avoid pitfalls, and communicate more effectively with their teams. The value is not only in the drawings but in the problem solving that comes with them.

Real-World Reflections

Spend a few minutes on any filmmaker discussion forum and you will see the same theme repeated: storyboards and shooting boards are not outdated. They remain vital tools because they make collaboration possible. Directors on Reddit often emphasize that boards keep the crew aligned and eliminate misunderstandings. Others point out how they save time during both shooting and editing by clarifying the intended rhythm of a scene.

This sentiment comes up again and again. In a world where filmmaking technology evolves constantly, from digital cameras to virtual production, the need for clear visual planning has not gone away. If anything, it has grown stronger. The more complex productions become, the more valuable shooting boards are in keeping everyone aligned.

The Takeaway for Filmmakers

At the end of the day, what filmmakers want from shooting boards is not simply a set of pictures. They want peace of mind. They want to know that their vision is clear, their team is aligned, and their production is protected from unnecessary risks.

Hiring a storyboard artist is one of the smartest investments a filmmaker can make. The boards will save time, reduce costs, and boost creative confidence. They will help turn imagination into reality with fewer headaches along the way.

Filmmaking is always a balance of art and logistics. Shooting boards sit at the intersection of both. They allow directors to dream boldly while still giving producers the reassurance that the dream can be executed. That is why they remain one of the most important tools in the filmmaker’s toolkit, and why working with an experienced storyboard artist can make the difference between a production that struggles and one that succeeds.

📩 Reach out: paul@paultemplestudios.com
🎨 Explore more: www.paultemplestudios.com

Want more blog posts on this topic?
1. How Shooting Boards Help Indie Filmmakers Compete with Studio Productions
2. Common Mistakes Directors Avoid with Shooting Boards
3. Shooting Boards for Action Scenes: Why Every Great Action Scene Starts on Paper

Why Directors Depend on Storyboards to Save Time, Cut Costs, and Keep Production on Track

Filmmaking is complicated. There are countless moving parts, dozens of departments, and every minute on set costs money. For directors, the pressure is constant. Every shot, every angle, every camera move needs to be thought through well before the crew hits record. That is where storyboards come in. A storyboard is not just a collection of pretty pictures. It is a map, a schedule, and a shared language that keeps the production running smoothly, efficiently, and within budget.

When a director hires a storyboard artist, they are getting more than an illustrator. They are getting someone who translates the vision into clear, actionable visuals. These visuals communicate ideas to every department, from cinematography to art, from set design to stunts. A well-drawn storyboard allows the director to show the team exactly what he wants before the cameras roll. The storyboard is the plan that keeps the train on its tracks.

Communication: A Universal Language for the Crew

One of the biggest challenges on any set is communication. Directors often work with large, diverse teams, and even simple instructions can get lost in translation. Storyboards solve that problem. They give everyone the same visual reference.

Consider a scene with multiple actors, practical effects, and a complicated camera movement. Without a storyboard, the director might spend hours explaining what he wants to the cinematographer, the art department, the gaffer, and the talent. Misinterpretations can happen, leading to mistakes and wasted time. With a storyboard, every department sees the same visual language. The cinematographer understands framing, the art department knows set requirements, and the stunt coordinator sees exactly when and where action happens. The storyboard turns abstract ideas into concrete instructions.

A storyboard also helps when pitching to producers or clients. Seeing the sequence visually builds confidence that the story will play out as intended. It prevents ambiguity and reduces the number of questions the director has to answer on the fly. Clear communication saves time and helps the whole team focus on their work.

Efficiency: Keeping the Production Train on Schedule

Let’s return to the train metaphor. Imagine the director as the conductor of a train, with a team of crew members working as the operators, engineers, and attendants. The storyboard is the train schedule. Each frame represents a stop along the journey. The director sees where the train needs to stop, how long to linger at each station, and when it is time to move on.

When every stop is planned visually, the crew knows exactly what to prepare for. The camera operator knows which lenses to have ready. The set designer knows which props to stage. The lighting team knows how to shape the mood. Everyone is working in sync, moving efficiently from one stop to the next.

Without storyboards, production runs risk of delays. Crew members may guess what the director wants, which often leads to confusion, reshoots, or wasted time resetting equipment. A storyboard gives the conductor confidence that the train will move smoothly from station to station, maintaining momentum without surprises.

Budget: Avoiding Expensive Surprises

Every minute on set costs money. Storyboards are a tool to prevent costly mistakes before the cameras roll. They highlight potential problems and allow the team to plan solutions ahead of time.

For example, a storyboard might reveal that a crane shot or a complex action sequence is logistically impossible with the current setup. Adjustments can be made in pre-production rather than wasting an entire day on set. Similarly, storyboards help identify which shots are necessary and which are extraneous, reducing the number of takes and minimizing overtime.

By planning each moment visually, directors can allocate resources efficiently, avoid unnecessary expenditures, and keep the production on budget. Storyboards provide the foresight that protects both time and money, turning potential chaos into a predictable, manageable process.

Headache Prevention: The Hidden Value of Planning

Production days are stressful. Directors, producers, and crew members are constantly juggling multiple priorities. Storyboards act as a buffer against chaos. They give the team confidence that there is a plan and that every department knows what to do.

When a scene is visualized in advance, last-minute surprises are minimized. The director can focus on performance, pacing, and storytelling instead of constantly problem-solving technical issues. Everyone knows the plan, and everyone trusts that the director has a clear vision. The storyboard becomes a source of reassurance, reducing tension and making the production run more smoothly.

Collaboration: Aligning the Creative Vision

Storyboards are more than logistical tools. They are also collaborative instruments that bring creative partners onto the same page. Directors, cinematographers, production designers, and even clients can all see exactly what the scene will look like. This alignment is critical when working on complex productions.

A storyboard allows everyone to discuss the story using a shared visual language. Feedback can be implemented before production, not after hours of shooting. This fosters collaboration and ensures that the final product reflects the director’s vision without costly corrections or miscommunication.

Subtle Pacing and Emotional Flow

A storyboard also helps directors manage emotional pacing. Each frame is like a signpost showing how the audience will experience a scene. Storyboards let directors control how long to linger on a character’s expression, how to transition between moments, and how to maintain rhythm across the story.

This careful planning guides the audience’s emotional experience. Just as the train lingers at certain stations, giving passengers time to take in the surroundings, storyboards let the director control when to hold a moment of tension, when to release it, and when to move on. This control over emotional tempo is subtle but crucial for effective storytelling.

Conclusion

Directors rely on storyboards for more than pictures on paper. They are essential tools for communication, efficiency, budgeting, collaboration, and emotional pacing. Each frame shows the crew what to do, how to prepare, and how long to spend on each moment. Like a train schedule, the storyboard keeps the production moving smoothly, avoiding confusion, preventing costly mistakes, and allowing the director to focus on storytelling.

Hiring a skilled storyboard artist is an investment in the success of a production. The storyboard becomes the director’s map, manual, and schedule all in one, guiding the team through every stop along the journey. Whether for a commercial, short film, or feature, storyboards are the foundation for a production that is clear, efficient, and creatively satisfying.

📩 Reach out: paul@paultemplestudios.com
🎨 Explore more: www.paultemplestudios.com

Want more blog posts on this topic?
1. How Shooting Boards Help Indie Filmmakers Compete with Studio Productions
2. Commercials Are Short Films: Why Storyboards Matter Even More in 30 Seconds
3. What Filmmakers Want from Shooting Boards: Save Time, Money and Communicate Clearly

See It Before You Shoot It: The Power of Shooting Boards

You’ve got the script. You’ve got the vision. But can your crew see it?

Whether you're shooting a short film, a feature, or a music video, clarity in pre-production can make or break your project. One of the most powerful tools in a director's toolkit is also one of the most overlooked: shooting boards.

Unlike generic storyboards, shooting boards are tailored specifically for production, focusing on camera angles, transitions, timing, and shot composition. When used correctly, they streamline communication, save time on set, and keep your entire crew aligned with the cinematic vision.

If you’ve ever asked:

• “How do I plan my shots efficiently before filming?”

• “What’s the difference between storyboards and shooting boards?”

• “How can I communicate my vision to my Director of Photography and production designer?”
  

  This post is for you.

1. What Are Shooting Boards?

Shooting boards are sequential illustrations that break down each shot of a scene. They go beyond narrative ideas and focus on technical execution. They include:

• Camera angles and movement

• Shot type (wide, medium, close-up, over the shoulder, etc.)

• Blocking and staging

• Lighting suggestions

• Frame transitions and timing cues

While traditional storyboards often focus on conveying general visual ideas, shooting boards dig deeper. They’re designed for logistics, planning, and shot execution. They're used heavily in feature films, TV, music videos, and even high-end branded content.

Think of them as the visual blueprint of your shoot.

2. Why Shooting Boards Matter in Film Production

Film is a collaborative medium. Even if the vision starts with the director, it has to be communicated clearly to:

• The director of photography

• Production designers

• Editors

• Visual effects teams

• Line producers and ADs

A well-drawn shooting board aligns all departments before anyone hits record. Here’s why that matters:

a. Better Shot Planning

Directors and DPs use shooting boards to walk through the visual rhythm of a scene. You can pre-visualize how shots will cut together, which helps with:

• Deciding when to move the camera

• Planning transitions (match cuts, wipes, etc.)

• Figuring out shot durations

• Testing visual pacing in action or dialogue-heavy scenes

b. Improved Communication with Crew

Shooting boards help prevent miscommunication on set. Everyone, from the grip to the production designer, sees the same visual target. That means fewer surprises and faster setups.

c. Efficiency on Set

Time is money, especially with tight schedules. When the shot list is visually prepped, the 1st AD can build a shooting schedule that matches your priorities. And when the crew sees the plan ahead of time, things move faster and smoother.

d. Solving Problems Before They Happen

Logistical problems are easier to catch in the pre-production phase. Does a planned camera move require a dolly track or Steadicam? Will you need additional coverage for a dialogue exchange? Shooting boards let you catch that early before you're burning through hours on set.

3. Case Study: Turning a Complex Sequence Into a Shootable Plan

Let’s say you're directing a fight scene in a warehouse. The script reads fast and punchy, but without visual planning, the stunt coordinator, DP, and editor might each imagine the rhythm differently.

By breaking down the sequence into frame-by-frame shooting boards, you can:

• Define the beginning, middle, and end of the action

• Plan dynamic camera movements (for example, a whip pan from a punch to a fall)

• Pre-vis VFX beats like broken glass or sparks

• Ensure continuity of direction and eye-lines

This helps the entire team lock in the flow before rehearsal and saves you from reshooting pickups later.

4. How Directors Use Shooting Boards on Set

Shooting boards aren’t just for prep. They become the creative compass on set.

You can use them:

• During camera setup to confirm framing

• To communicate shot goals to operators or Steadicam

• As a checklist during coverage

• To troubleshoot when time runs short (What shots can we drop and still tell the story?)

Many directors keep them close, sometimes even on their phone or tablet, to reference during fast-moving setups. DPs and script supervisors also rely on them to stay synced.

5. The Human Touch Still Matters

While some filmmakers use AI or 3D previs tools, hand-drawn boards still hold value, especially when created by someone with experience in cinematography and storytelling.

An experienced shooting board artist:

• Understands lens language and camera blocking

• Draws with the director’s intent in mind (not just cool images)

• Adds mood, lighting cues, and emotional beats

• Collaborates to adjust as ideas evolve

That’s the difference between filler frames and a working document that supports the entire production.

6. What to Look for in a Shooting Board Artist

If you're a director, producer, or 1st AD looking for a board artist, consider:

• Do they have experience with camera planning and production?

• Can they match the tone of your project (comedy, horror, drama, etc.)?

• Are they flexible with changes as the vision develops?

• Can they deliver under tight deadlines?

The best artists bring cinematic thinking into the frame, not just illustration skill.

7. Final Thoughts: Shooting Boards Are an Investment in the Film

Some filmmakers skip shooting boards to save time or budget. But the cost of miscommunication, slow setups, or extra takes often outweighs the small investment upfront.

Shooting boards aren't just drawings. They’re a creative strategy tool. They align the vision, speed up production, and elevate the final cut.

Need Shooting Boards for Your Next Film?

If you're prepping a narrative film, short, or music video and need professional shooting boards, consider working with a storyboard artist who understands the entire production pipeline.

Look for someone who’s fluent in visual storytelling and camera language. Someone who can take your vision and make it frame-ready.

📩 Reach out: paul@paultemplestudios.com
🎨 Explore more: www.paultemplestudios.com

Want more blog posts on this topic?
1. How Shooting Boards Help Indie Filmmakers Compete with Studio Productions
2. Common Mistakes Directors Avoid with Shooting Boards
3. What Filmmakers Want from Shooting Boards: Save Time, Money and Communicate Clearly