What is a sequence of drawings, typically with some directions and dialogue, representing the shots planned for a movie or television production?

A storyboard is a sequence of drawings that visually represents the shots planned for a movie or television production. Each frame in a storyboard illustrates how a particular scene will be shot, often complemented by directions and dialogue to indicate action, camera movements, and other essential details. This visual format allows filmmakers to plan their shots, understand the flow of the narrative, and communicate their vision effectively to the production team.

While a script contains the dialogue and narrative structure of the film, it typically does not include the visual representation of each shot. A screenplay is similar, focusing more on the written word rather than the visual layout. A visual script may combine elements from both scripts and storyboards, but it is not a standard term used in the industry like a storyboard is. Thus, a storyboard is crucial for pre-visualizing how the scenes will unfold on screen, making it an essential tool in film and television production.