Before a single frame of a commercial or video ad is shot, it's planned out in a storyboard. A storyboard is a sequence of drawings representing the shots planned for a film or television production. This process can be slow and expensive, often requiring a professional illustrator.

AI image generators can act as your personal storyboard artist, allowing you to visualize an entire video sequence in minutes.

The Strategy: Consistent Character and Style

The key to creating a successful storyboard with AI is maintaining consistency from one frame to the next. This involves two steps:

1. Step 1: Create Your Character and Style "Seed" First, generate your main character and establish the visual style.

   "A friendly, approachable female chef with curly brown hair, wearing a clean white apron. She is in a bright, modern kitchen. The style should be a warm, photorealistic commercial photograph."

   Once you get an image you like, many AI tools allow you to use it as a reference or provide a "seed" number that helps maintain consistency.

2. Step 2: Generate Each Shot Sequentially Now, create prompts for each shot in your sequence, always referencing your original character and style.

   • Prompt for Scene 1: "Using the same character and style, generate a shot where the chef is holding up a fresh tomato and smiling at the camera. Close-up shot."
   • Prompt for Scene 2: "Using the same character and style, generate a shot where the chef is now chopping vegetables on a wooden cutting board. Over-the-shoulder shot."
   • Prompt for Scene 3: "Using the same character and style, generate a final shot where the chef is presenting a finished, beautiful salad in a large bowl to the camera. Medium shot."

Why This Works

This workflow allows you to rapidly prototype the visual narrative of your video. You can test different camera angles, character expressions, and sequences without the cost of a real photoshoot or illustrator.

You can generate dozens of options for each frame and select the ones that best tell your story. The resulting storyboard becomes a clear and powerful visual guide for your director, videographer, and editor, ensuring the final video matches your creative vision.