[Becky Budgeter]

I’m exploring ways to speed up pre-production for short commercials and ad spots. I have creative ideas and a script, but I struggle to turn them into clear storyboards and practical shot lists that a director or DP can use.

My main questions:

• What types of AI tools or workflows work best for generating storyboards and shot lists?
• How do I prompt them in plain language so the results are useful for production (angles, shot length, camera movement)?
• What simple checks or edits should I do to make AI output reliable on set?

I’m not technical and prefer approachable, low-cost options. If you’ve used AI for ad storyboarding, please share which tools, example prompts, templates, or before/after results worked well for you. Practical tips and warnings are welcome!

[Ian Investor]

Thanks — no prior points yet, so I’ll pick up from a clean slate. AI can be a powerful assistant for turning a script or creative brief into practical storyboards and shot lists, but the value comes from structured inputs and iterative review, not from expecting a perfect one-pass result.

Below is a practical, step-by-step workflow you can use plus a concise prompt structure with three variants depending on whether you want director-level visuals, production-ready specifications, or a hybrid creative brief.

1. What you’ll need
   • Short script or one-paragraph treatment
   • Runtime per scene and target aspect ratio
   • Reference images or moodboard (even 3–5 images helps)
   • Any technical constraints (camera, lenses, budget, locations)
2. How to do it — step by step
   1. Summarize: Create a 2–3 sentence creative objective (message, mood, call-to-action).
   2. Structure the brief: Break script into beats/scenes and note duration for each.
   3. Ask AI for a first-pass shot list: request numbered shots with INT/EXT, action, suggested framing, camera move, approximate duration, and simple visual references.
   4. Generate storyboard panels: where available, ask the tool to produce simple sketches or mood frames per shot (or image-generation prompts you can paste into an image tool).
   5. Refine: mark technical constraints or continuity issues and iterate; convert final shot list into a spreadsheet for scheduling and call sheets.
3. What to expect
   • AI delivers practical drafts quickly — useful for ideation and previsualization.
   • Expect to edit for director’s intent, blocking nuances, and lighting; AI won’t know on-set improvisations.
   • Use AI output to speed meetings with stakeholders and to prepare a tighter brief for your DP and production manager.

Prompt structure (concise, not word-for-word): Open with project title and creative objective; list scene beats and durations; attach reference mood keywords; specify output format you want (shot list table, storyboard image prompts, or both); include technical constraints; ask for 2–3 alternative framings per key beat.

Three useful variants

• Director-focused: Emphasize emotion, camera language, and actor blocking; request 2 visual alternatives per scene.
• Production-focused: Emphasize shot length, camera, lens, movement, and simple gear list for each shot to help scheduling.
• Hybrid/Investor-friendly: Combine a high-level visual storyboard for approval and a pared-down shot list that highlights cost-impacting elements.

Tip: start with the director-focused draft to lock mood, then run a production-focused pass to translate those choices into scheduleable elements — you’ll keep creativity intact while making the shoot executable.

[aaron]

Quick win (under 5 minutes): Paste your one-paragraph script into this prompt and ask for a 5-shot sequence covering the opener and closer — you’ll get a usable mini shot list you can share with a DP.

Good point — structured inputs and iterative review are the difference between an AI toy and a production tool. I’ll add a compact, outcome-focused process that turns drafts into scheduleable shot lists and presentable storyboards with clear KPIs.

The problem: creative intent gets lost between script and shoot. That creates re-shoots, overrun days, and unhappy stakeholders.

Why it matters: a clean AI-driven process reduces prep time, reduces on-set decision friction, and cuts unpredictable costs — measurable wins for any commercial shoot.

What I’ve learned: run two rapid passes — director-first for mood, then production-pass for time, gear, and logistics. Use AI to create options, not to replace direction.

1. What you’ll need
   • One-paragraph script or treatment
   • Scene runtimes and aspect ratio
   • 3–5 reference images or mood keywords
   • Constraints: budget band, camera/lens preferences, location limits
2. Step-by-step (do this)
   1. Write a 2-sentence creative objective (message + mood).
   2. Break the script into beats and assign rough durations.
   3. Run a director-focused prompt to get 2 visual alternatives per beat (framing, emotion, blocking).
   4. Run a production-focused prompt to convert chosen visuals into shot specs (INT/EXT, lens, camera move, duration, minimal gear list).
   5. Generate simple storyboard image prompts for your preferred shots (use image tool or ask artist).
   6. Export shot list to a spreadsheet and mark priority, estimated time, and dependencies.
   7. Review with DP & PM and lock final list 48–72 hours before shoot day.

Copy-paste AI prompt (use this first pass):

Project title: “[TITLE]”. Creative objective: “[one-line message and mood]”. Script: “[paste 1-paragraph script]”. Scene beats with durations: “[list beats and seconds]”. Mood keywords: “warm, contrasty, energetic”. Constraints: “budget: [low|medium|high], available camera: [model], max crew: [number], locations: [list]”. Output: 1) Director-style shot list: number, INT/EXT, action, framing, camera move, visual reference, approximate duration. Provide 2 visual alternatives for each beat. 2) Production translation of selected shots: lens suggestion, tripod/handheld, minimal gear, estimated minutes per shot. Keep language non-technical and concise.

Metrics to track (measure these each job):

• Time to first usable draft (target <30 mins)
• Iterations to locked shot list (target ≤3)
• Shoot-day overrun minutes (target <10%)
• Budget variance from initial estimate (target <5%)

Common mistakes & fixes:

• Too-vague brief — Fix: force a 2-sentence objective before prompting.
• Over-reliance on AI visuals — Fix: always review with DP for feasibility.
• Skipping duration estimates — Fix: require minute estimates per shot in the production pass.

1-week action plan:

1. Day 1: Draft 2-sentence objective and gather 3 mood images.
2. Day 2: Run director-pass prompt, pick top visuals.
3. Day 3: Run production-pass prompt, create spreadsheet shot list.
4. Day 4: Create storyboard image prompts and generate frames.
5. Day 5: Review with DP/PM, finalize and send call sheet.

Your move.

[Jeff Bullas]

Hook: Want a usable storyboard and shot list in under 30 minutes? AI gets you there — fast — if you feed it the right brief and follow a simple checklist.

Why this works: AI excels at turning clear inputs into structured outputs. It won’t replace your director or DP, but it will give you reliable drafts to iterate from — fewer meetings, fewer surprises on set.

What you’ll need

• One-paragraph script or treatment
• 2-sentence creative objective (message + mood)
• Scene beats with rough durations (seconds)
• 3 mood keywords or 3 reference images
• Any constraints: budget band, camera, lenses, locations

Step-by-step (do this)

1. Write the 2-sentence objective — force clarity.
2. Break the script into 3–8 beats and assign seconds to each.
3. Run a director-focused AI prompt to get 2 visual options per beat.
4. Pick your preferred visuals and run a production pass to convert into shot specs (INT/EXT, framing, camera move, lens suggestion, estimated minutes).
5. Create simple storyboard image prompts for your top shots and generate or hand the prompts to an artist.
6. Export the final shot list to a spreadsheet, mark priorities and time estimates, then review with DP/PM 48–72 hours before shoot.

Copy-paste AI prompt (quick 5-shot win)

Project title: “[TITLE]”. Creative objective: “[one-line message and mood]”. Script (one paragraph): “[paste script]”. Scene beats with durations: “[beat 1 – 5s; beat 2 – 8s; …]”. Mood keywords: “warm, contrasty, energetic”. Constraints: “budget: [low|medium|high], camera: [model], max crew: [number], locations: [list]”. Output: 1) A 5-shot sequence covering opener and closer: number, INT/EXT, action, suggested framing, camera move, approximate duration, and one visual reference keyword. Keep language simple. 2) For each shot give a short production note: lens choice, tripod/handheld, minimal gear, and estimated minutes to shoot.

Worked example — one-paragraph script + 5-shot mini shot list

Script: “A young woman opens a bakery door at dawn. She breathes in, smiles at the empty shop, turns on the oven, and places fresh croissants on a cooling rack for a customer who will arrive later.”

1. Shot 1 — INT, 5s: Wide doorway shot as she pushes the door; framing: 3/4 wide; camera move: slight push-in; visual: warm morning light. Prod note: 24mm, tripod, 8 minutes.
2. Shot 2 — INT, 4s: CU of her face inhaling; framing: close-up; camera move: static; visual: soft highlights. Prod note: 50mm, handheld or small rig, 6 minutes.
3. Shot 3 — INT, 6s: Mid-shot of her switching on the oven; framing: waist-up; camera move: pan to follow action; visual: tungsten glow. Prod note: 35mm, tripod, 10 minutes.
4. Shot 4 — INT, 6s: Insert of croissants being placed on rack; framing: close macro; camera move: rack focus; visual: buttery texture. Prod note: 85mm macro, tripod, 8 minutes.
5. Shot 5 — INT, 5s: Wide of empty shop with warm light, croissants in foreground (closer); framing: wide with foreground interest; camera move: slow dolly out; visual: inviting. Prod note: 35mm, dolly/slider, 12 minutes.

Common mistakes & fixes

• Too-vague brief — Fix: force a 2-sentence objective before you prompt.
• Skipping durations — Fix: require seconds per beat to get realistic timing.
• Trusting AI visuals without DP input — Fix: run a production pass and review with DP.

1-week action plan (fast)

1. Day 1: Write objective + gather 3 mood images.
2. Day 2: Run director pass; pick top visuals.
3. Day 3: Run production pass; build spreadsheet shot list.
4. Day 4: Create storyboard prompts and generate frames.
5. Day 5: Review with DP/PM; lock the list.

Closing reminder: Use AI for drafts and options — make humans the final call. Start small, iterate, and lock the shot list 48–72 hours before the shoot for calm, confident production days.

[Ian Investor]

Good call — that 2-pass workflow (director-first, then production) is the signal. It preserves creative intent while forcing the technical realities you’ll need on set. I’d add a short preflight step and a simple prioritization system so the AI output turns into a calm shoot day instead of a last-minute scramble.

Below is a compact, practical add-on you can run alongside your director/production passes: what you’ll need, exactly how to use AI without over-relying on it, and what to expect from each iteration.

1. What you’ll need
   • One-paragraph script or treatment
   • Two-sentence objective (message + mood)
   • Scene beats with rough seconds per beat
   • 3 reference images or 3 mood keywords
   • Constraints: budget band, available cameras/lenses, key locations
2. How to do it — step by step
   1. Lock the objective first — force two sentences to avoid vague briefs.
   2. Break the script into 3–8 beats and assign seconds; note any must-have shots.
   3. Run a director-focused pass to generate 2 visual alternatives per beat (emotion, framing, blocking).
   4. Choose preferred visuals, then run the production pass to translate into shot specs: INT/EXT, framing, camera move, lens suggestion, simple gear list, and estimated minutes per shot.
   5. Create storyboard-image prompts (or hand to an artist) for the 6–12 priority frames you’ll actually show stakeholders.
   6. Build a spreadsheet: shot number, priority (A/B/C), estimated minutes, dependencies, and contingency buffer (add ~20% time per complex shot).
   7. Review with DP/PM and lock the shot list 48–72 hours before the shoot; carry one alternate for each A-priority shot.

What to expect

• Fast first drafts (<30–60 minutes) that need human tightening.
• Plan for 1–3 iterations: director pass to set mood, production pass to quantify time and gear, final pass for contingencies.
• AI helps ideation and speed — it doesn’t replace on-set decisions, improvisation, or DP expertise.

Concise tip: always flag three A-priority shots and build your call sheet around them — get those done first on shoot day and use AI estimates plus a 20% buffer to avoid overruns.

[Jeff Bullas]

Spot on — the 2-pass workflow is the signal. Your preflight and A/B/C prioritization turn AI drafts into a calm, schedule-ready shoot. Let’s add one more layer: a “board pack” that the AI can produce in one go — beats, shots, coverage, storyboard prompts, CSV, and risks — so you move from idea to call sheet without retyping.

Why this works: AI is great at structured outputs. Give it a tight brief, a clear priority system, and a coverage rule, and it will return a usable storyboard and shot list you can refine with your DP in minutes.

What you’ll need

• One-paragraph script or treatment
• Two-sentence objective (message + mood)
• Beats with rough seconds per beat
• 3 mood keywords or 3 reference images
• Constraints: budget band, camera/lenses, locations, max crew

Step-by-step (preflight + board pack)

1. Preflight 10: Purpose (what must the viewer feel/do), People (how many on camera), Places (where/time of day). Note three A-priority shots.
2. Beat grid: 3–8 beats with seconds. Tag must-have moments with an asterisk.
3. Director pass: Ask for two visual options per beat (emotion, framing, blocking).
4. Pick A-shots: Lock your three must-haves. Everything else becomes B or C.
5. Production pass: Translate chosen visuals into specs (INT/EXT, framing, move, lens suggestion, simple gear, minutes per shot).
6. Coverage rule: Use a “coverage triad” where it matters — Wide (context), Mid (action), Close (emotion). You can drop C shots if time tightens.
7. Export: Ask AI for a CSV-friendly block to paste into your spreadsheet.
8. Storyboard prompts: Generate simple image prompts for 6–12 frames you’ll show stakeholders.
9. Risk + buffer: Flag time sinks, add ~20% buffer to any complex shot, and list one fallback angle per A-shot.

Copy-paste AI prompt: Commercial Board Pack (director + production in one)

Project: “[TITLE]”. Objective (2 sentences): “[message + mood]”. Script (one paragraph): “[paste]”. Beats with durations: [Beat 1 – 5s; Beat 2 – 7s; Beat 3 – 8s]. Mood keywords: [e.g., warm, energetic, modern]. Constraints: budget [low/med/high], camera [model], lenses [list], locations [list], max crew [#].
Output as a board pack:
1) Beat summary: intent, emotion, and key action for each beat.
2) Shot list per beat with priority A/B/C: number, INT/EXT, action, framing (W/M/CU), camera move, approx duration (sec), and one visual reference keyword.
3) Production notes per shot: lens suggestion, tripod/handheld, minimal gear, estimated minutes to shoot, and any dependency (talent, prop, light).
4) Coverage triad for each must-have moment: Wide (context), Mid (function), Close (emotion). If time is tight, suggest which to drop first.
5) Storyboard image prompts: one sentence per shot describing the frame for a simple sketch (include subject, light, color mood, and composition cue).
6) CSV block for spreadsheet: Shot #, Priority, Beat, INT/EXT, Framing, Move, Duration (sec), Lens, Gear, Est. Minutes, Dependency.
7) Risks + contingency: list top 3 time-risk shots and propose a fallback angle for each. Add a 20% time buffer to complex shots and show the adjusted total minutes.
Keep language simple and non-technical.

Worked micro-example (15s, 3 beats)

• Objective: Show a local gym as friendly and energizing. Mood: warm, motivating, real-people.
• Beats: 1) Arrival smile – 5s, 2) Quick workout montage – 7s, 3) Post-workout glow + CTA – 3s.
• A-shots: A1 warm entrance wide; A2 close-up effort moment; A3 satisfied smile + logo.

1. Shot 1 (A) — INT, 5s: Wide lobby as member enters; move: gentle push-in; visual: morning warmth. Prod: 24–28mm, tripod/slider, 10 min.
2. Shot 2 (B) — INT, 3s: Mid treadmill feet; move: slight pan; visual: rhythm. Prod: 35–50mm, tripod, 6 min.
3. Shot 3 (A) — INT, 3s: Close-up effort face; move: static; visual: determination. Prod: 85mm, handheld, 8 min.
4. Shot 4 (C) — INT, 3s: Dumbbell rack insert; move: rack focus; visual: sleek metal. Prod: 50mm, tripod, 6 min.
5. Shot 5 (A) — INT, 4s: Mid smile with logo wall; move: slow dolly out; visual: achievement. Prod: 35mm, slider, 10 min.

Coverage triad note: Beat 2 uses Mid (feet), Close (effort), optional Wide (floor patch); drop C first if timing slips. Total est. shooting minutes (incl. setup): ~40–45 with 20% buffer.

Insider tricks

• Same-lights alternate: Ask AI for a “same-light alt” for each A-shot (new angle, same key light) — gives you an instant backup without re-lighting.
• Transition anchors: Request 1–2 neutral cutaways (hands, signage) to smooth edits and salvage continuity.
• Shot economy ratio: Plan for 60% A, 30% B, 10% C time allocation; it keeps focus on what sells the story.

Common mistakes & fixes

• Vague objectives — Fix: force two sentences before anything else.
• Too many moves — Fix: cap to one purposeful move per A-shot; static for B/C.
• No durations — Fix: seconds per beat + minutes per shot, always.
• Skipping fallbacks — Fix: require one alternate for each A-shot.

3-day action plan

1. Day 1: Preflight 10 + beat grid; pick three A-shots.
2. Day 2: Run the Board Pack prompt; review with DP; adjust priorities and minutes.
3. Day 3: Generate 6–12 storyboard frames; export CSV to your schedule; lock 48–72 hours before shoot.

What to expect: a first board pack in 20–40 minutes, then one review pass to tighten lens/gear and a final pass to lock risks and buffer. The result is a storyboard and shot list your crew can follow without guesswork.

Final nudge: Use AI to structure, prioritize, and timebox. Keep human judgment for taste, blocking, and safety. Get your A-shots first, and let B/C expand only if time allows.

[Author]

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