The resources below help you learn more about using writing to plan a visual project. But before you try these strategies, make to explore the variety of cinematic techniques available to you (including camera angles and types of shots), as those are what you’ll ultimately be describing through writing. In other words, use writing only to help you figure out what you can show on screen. For more info on techniques, see the other handouts available under Storytelling Resources and Digital Media Resources.
Below you’ll find links to a few of the MANY resources available on the web to help you learn about strategies for developing a visual story. If these resources don’t do the trick for you, search for your own.
Writing a Screenplay
- Drafting the Short Screenplay
- Screenplay Structure in Four Easy Pieces
- Seven Rules for Writing Short Films
Writing a Synopsis
- Writing a Synopsis for your Screenplay
- Sample log line, pitch, and synopsis for film
- How To Write A 1-Page Synopsis
- Writing tutorial. Short films and tales: the synopsis
- How to Write a Screenplay Synopsis
- Seven Rules for Writing Short Films
Preparing a Storyboard
- Presentation Zen: Lessons from the Art of Storyboarding
- Developing your storyboard
- Storyboarding from Video 101
- Making Movie Storyboards
- Storyboards (samples with stick figures)
- Digital Storytelling Storyboard Templates (PDF file)
- Storyboard Templates (save as PDF, can convert into Word docs)
- Jason Ohler’s storyboard template (MS Word file)
- Storyboarding Your Film
Just FYI: You might want to check out Animatics, which are animated storyboards.
Also see this web app, which has a free version: StoryboardThat.com
Compiling a Shot List
- How to make a storyboard and shot list
- How to create an awesome video shot list
- Vimeo’s Video School: Video 101 (lots of lessons, including scripting, storyboarding, and making shot lists)