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Create visual scripts and plan the visuals for AI videos.

The script tells you what to say. The storyboard tells you what to portray. Without one, you'll be standing in front of the camera, script in hand, not knowing where to point the lens.

Plan ahead before filming.

In the previous lesson, you learned how to write a script that engages viewers . Now, let's build on that foundation by planning what viewers will actually see.

 

The script tells you what to say. The storyboard tells you what to portray. Without one, you'll be standing in front of the camera, script in hand, not knowing where to point the lens.

Storyboarding isn't just for Hollywood. Even a tutorial video with a presenter benefits from visual planning—when to switch to screen sharing, when to show secondary shots, when to display text on screen.

The basics of storyboards

 

A storyboard divides your video into individual shots, showing:

  1. What the viewer sees (composition, framing)
  2. What they hear (dialogue, music, effects)
  3. Duration of each scene (time)
  4. How the shots connect with each other (scene transitions)

You don't need any artistic skills. Stick figures and boxes work perfectly fine too.

Basic storyboard template:

┌─────────────────────┐ │ │ │ [Hình ảnh │ │ mô tả] │ │ │ ├─────────────────────┤ │ Cảnh quay: Rộng/Cận trung/Cận cảnh│ │ Âm thanh: "Lời thoại trong kịch bản" │ │ Thời lượng: 5 giây │ │ Ghi chú: Di chuyển sang trái │ └─────────────────────┘ 

AI image scripting

Let artificial intelligence (AI) transform your scenario into a visual plan:

Đây là kịch bản video của tôi: [Dán kịch bản] Tạo bảng phân cảnh với: 1. Mô tả hình ảnh cho mỗi phần chính 2. Góc máy/loại cảnh quay (toàn cảnh, trung cảnh, cận cảnh, chia sẻ màn hình) 3. Thời lượng cho mỗi cảnh quay 4. Chuyển cảnh giữa các cảnh quay (cắt, mờ dần, vuốt) 5. Bất kỳ cảnh quay phụ hoặc đồ họa nào cần thiết 6. Văn bản trên màn hình hoặc phụ đề Định dạng dưới dạng danh sách các cảnh quay được đánh số.

 

Examples of AI output:

CẢNH QUAY 1 (0:00-0:05) Hình ảnh: Cận cảnh bàn tay gõ bàn phím, màn hình hiển thị Âm thanh: "Bạn biết cảm giác khi cuối cùng code của bạn cũng hoạt động chứ?" Loại: Cận cảnh, độ sâu trường ảnh nông Chuyển cảnh: Chuyển sang Cảnh quay 2 CẢNH QUAY 2 (0:05-0:15) Hình ảnh: Cảnh trung bình người thuyết trình tại bàn làm việc, nhìn vào máy quay Âm thanh: "Tôi sẽ chỉ cho bạn ba shortcut đã thay đổi quy trình làm việc của tôi" Loại: Cảnh trung bình, ngang tầm mắt Chuyển cảnh: Chuyển sang Cảnh quay 3

Types of shots and when to use them.

Type of scene What it represents When should it be used?
Wide/Settings Overview, environment Opening scene, scene transition
Near center People from the waist up Talk, explain
Close-up Face or detail Emotion, emphasis, detail
Over the shoulder Subjective perspective Performance, on-screen work
Screen sharing Computer/phone screen Instructions, demo
Supporting scenes Supporting images Representing transformation and diversity.
Text overlay Text on the screen Key points, statistics

The principle of visual variety : Never keep the same type of footage for more than 30 seconds. Change it up constantly.

 

Quick check

You're planning a 5-minute tutorial video about a software feature. Your script only has one type of footage for the entire video: screen recording with narration. What's wrong with this approach?

Answer :

A continuous 5-minute screen recording will distract viewers regardless of how good the content is. A better approach: Start with you appearing in front of the camera, switch to screen recording for illustration, return to your screen to transition between steps, add close-ups of key UI elements, and use text overlays for step numbers. Visual variety helps maintain engagement.

B-Roll Strategy

B-roll footage includes supplemental footage that includes transitions, illustrates points, and adds visual variety.

B-Roll types

  • By context : Display environment or settings
  • Illustration : Displays the action being described.
  • Symbol : Represents a visual idea.
  • Transitions : These include cuts between main scenes.

Plan your B-Roll with AI.

Video của tôi nói về [chủ đề]. Dưới đây là các điểm chính tôi đề cập: 1. [Điểm 1] 2. [Điểm 2] 3. [Điểm 3] Với mỗi điểm, hãy đề xuất: - 2 ý tưởng cảnh quay phụ (B-roll) mà tôi có thể tự quay - 1 lựa chọn cảnh quay có sẵn để dự phòng - Độ dài của mỗi đoạn B-roll - Vị trí chèn vào trong timeline

From storyboard to shot list

A storyboard is your creative plan. A shot list is a list of things to do when filming.

Scene list structure

# Scene Type of scene Describe Device Location Time period
1 Intro Near center Table presenter Camera A, ring light Office 15 seconds
2 Intro Close-up Practice on the keyboard Camera A, macro Office 5 seconds
3 Demo Screen sharing Software usage guide Screen recording Desktop 90 seconds

 

Tips for effective filming

Film by location, not in script order. If scenes 1, 5, and 8 all take place at the same table, film them consecutively. Edit them to follow the correct order later.

AI: Đây là kịch bản phân cảnh của tôi với 15 cảnh quay: [Dán kịch bản phân cảnh] Tạo danh sách cảnh quay tối ưu bằng cách nhóm các cảnh quay theo: 1. Địa điểm (giảm thiểu thay đổi thiết lập) 2. Thiết bị cần thiết (giảm thiểu việc thay đổi thiết bị) 3. Điều kiện ánh sáng (nếu quay ngoài trời, nhóm theo thời gian trong ngày) Đánh số theo thứ tự quay phim, không phải thứ tự dựng phim cuối cùng.

Plan for different video formats.

YouTube (Long video)

  • Detailed storyboard for complex transitions.
  • Plan for chapters/timestamps
  • The variety of supporting scenes is essential to keep viewers engaged.

TikTok/Reels (Short Videos)

  • Simple storyboard: Maximum 3-5 shots
  • The first frame must be appealing (that's the thumbnail).
  • Fast cuts, minimal scene transitions.

Course/Instruction Content

  • Screen sharing + face matching
  • The order of image priority is clear.
  • Step-by-step visual cues

Speaker

  • Multiple camera angles or focal lengths
  • Supporting shots to add variety.
  • Text overlaid on key points

Exercise: Create your first storyboard.

Use the script you wrote in Lesson 2:

  1. Break your script down into visual sections (where will the visuals change?).
  2. Specify the type of footage for each section.
  3. Plan the secondary shots for each scene transition.
  4. Create a list of shots sorted by filming effect.
  5. Review it by imagining the video – does the video have a diverse visual feel?

Key points to remember

  • Creating a visual script helps avoid wasting filming time and missing shots.
  • Each part of the video needs a visual plan: What will the viewer see, hear, and for how long?
  • The variety of shots keeps viewers engaged – never one type of shot lasts more than 30 seconds.
  • B-roll shots are mandatory; plan carefully for their use to create transitions and visual appeal.
  • The shot list helps organize filming by efficiency (location and setup), rather than by script order.
  • AI can quickly transform scenarios into visual plans, but your creative vision will guide the choices.
  • Question 1:

    What is a shot list and how is it related to a storyboard?

    EXPLAIN:

    A storyboard is a visual plan (what each shot should look like). A shot list is a practical checklist (what needs to be shot, in what order, and with what equipment). A shot list translates the creative vision into filmmaking logistics.

  • Question 2:

    Why is storyboarding important even for simple videos?

    EXPLAIN:

    Storyboarding is about solving problems beforehand. When you plan your shots in advance, you know exactly what needs to be filmed, in what order, and how the scenes connect. Without planning, you'll waste time figuring things out on set and often miss important shots.

 

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Marvin Fry
Update 13 April 2026