Storyboards: from a script to frames and clips
Break a script into a shot list, give characters and scenes a reference, render storyboard frames in bulk, then make each shot's clip from its own shot card — with every frame version kept.
A Shot list on a Canvas board breaks a script into shots, renders a storyboard frame for each shot, and makes a clip from each frame. Split into shot cards, every shot gets its own card with its frame and clip wired after it, so you can see how each shot was made.
The workflow
| Step | On the board |
|---|---|
| 1. Write the script | Write or paste it into a text node, or draft it with a text prompt |
| 2. Generate the shot list | Wire the text node into a shot list and choose Generate shot list |
| 3. Keep characters and scenes consistent | Bind avatars to characters and render a plate for each scene |
| 4. Render frames | Pick shots to render in bulk, or render one shot at a time from its card |
| 5. Make clips | Choose Generate video on a shot card |
1. Generate the shot list
Double-click empty space, add a Text node and write or paste your script. To have AI draft it, add a Text prompt first, wire your outline into it and generate the script.
Add a Shot list and wire the script's text node into it. A shot list only takes text nodes.
On the shot list, set Aspect (9:16 by default, or 16:9 or 1:1), Audio, Style, the Writer model and the Frames model (Seedream 5.0 Pro by default).
Add any ideas or revision notes in the box, then choose Generate shot list. The breakdown runs in the background; a long script can take a few minutes.
When the shot list is ready, every shot is split into its own shot card, in a column to the right of the list. Generating the shot list again produces a new set of shots, and its shot cards replace the old ones.
2. Keep characters and scenes consistent
The shot list lists the script's Characters and Scenes. Give them a reference and every shot stays consistent.
- Characters: pick an existing avatar for each character, or choose Create avatar. Canvas renders a four-view character sheet (a head close-up plus front, side and back views on white), registers it as an avatar and binds it to the character. Frames can use it straight away; video waits until the avatar is approved.
- Scenes: choose Create scene next to a scene. Canvas renders an empty establishing plate with no people, saves it to your scene library and binds it to the scene. Every frame in that scene then uses it as a reference.
3. Edit shots
The shot list and its shot cards are the same data — change one and the other follows.
- On a shot card: best for one shot at a time. Edit the shot size, duration, storyboard image prompt, video prompt and dialogue.
- In the table: choose Edit shots on the shot list for every field, including the action and dialogue / VO, in a Cards or Table view. It's quicker for rewriting dialogue across shots or checking the order. Locate on a row closes the dialog and takes you to that shot's card on the board.
Clicking a shot on the shot list also takes you to its card.
4. Render frames
In bulk:
Choose Choose frames to generate on the shot list.
Tick the shots to render. Shots without a frame start ticked; Not rendered, All, Failed and Clear change the selection quickly.
Check the model, aspect, estimated cost and your balance, then choose Generate N.
One at a time: choose Generate frame on a shot card. The frame appears to the right of the card, wired to it.
Each frame automatically references the character avatars and scene plate bound to it. Shot cards and the shot list show where each shot is: No frame, Rendering, Frame ready or Failed.
5. Revise a frame
Not happy with a shot? Edit the storyboard image prompt on its card and choose Regenerate frame. The new picture becomes a new version, and the earlier ones stay on the same card:
- ‹ v2/3 › at the top left of the picture switches between versions.
- The version the card shows is the frame the shot's clip is made from.
See "Versions" in Generating images with AI.
6. Make clips
Once a shot has a frame, choose Generate video on its card:
- The clip uses Seedance 2.5 at 720p in Reference mode, as long as the shot's duration (4–30 seconds).
- Bound character avatars are used as references, with the frame as the visual base.
- The clip appears to the right of the frame, wired to it.
If you switch the frame to another version after making the clip, the clip says so — for example Made from frame v1. Generate the video again from the shot card to use the new version.
Shot lists made before shot cards
Shot lists made before shot cards existed aren't split automatically. Choose Split into shot cards on the shot list:
- Each shot gets a card in a column to the right of the list. Frames and clips already rendered move into their shot's row, and each frame is rewired from its card.
- ⌘ / Ctrl + Z undoes the split.
- If you delete some shot cards, the button becomes Add missing shot cards (N). It adds only the missing ones, back in the row of their frame.
After the shot list is generated again, shots from the old version no longer exist. Their cards say "This shot is no longer in the shot list", and you can remove them.
Troubleshooting
- The shot list keeps saying it's generating: long scripts take a few minutes. You can leave the page and come back.
- Generate video is unavailable: render the shot's frame first.
- A character looks different between shots: bind an avatar to the character, or choose Create avatar.
- The setting changes between shots: choose Create scene for the scene to render a scene plate.