How to Storyboard an AI Video Before You Spend a Credit
The most expensive way to make an AI video is to generate clips and hope they cut together. A one-page storyboard, with a shot list, lengths, models and a credit estimate, takes twenty minutes and saves far more than that in wasted attempts. Here is a simple template and a worked example.
- A storyboard is just a shot list: what each shot shows, how long it is and what makes it.
- Most videos need 5 to 8 shots, each 2 to 5 seconds on screen.
- Pick the cheapest model that works for each shot, and estimate credits up front.
- Draft cheaply, then spend on the shots that matter.
Step 1: Write the Goal in One Sentence
Who is it for, what should they feel or do, and how long is it? Example: “A 20-second Instagram teaser for a bakery’s new sourdough, to get people to visit on Saturday.” Every shot should serve that sentence.
Step 2: List the Shots
Use a table like this. One row per shot.
| # | Shot | On-screen time | Source | Model | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hook: loaf steaming on a board | 3s | Real photo | Cinematic Push-In preset | 1 |
| 2 | Hands dusting flour | 3s | Generated image | Kling v2.1 | 2 |
| 3 | Crust close-up | 3s | Real photo | Hero Reveal preset | 1 |
| 4 | The shop front | 3s | Real photo | Drone Rise preset | 1 |
| 5 | Slice with butter | 3s | Real photo | Cinematic Push-In preset | 1 |
| 6 | Title and date | 3s | Editor | Added in your editor | 0 |
That is six shots and about 18 seconds, with a call to action in the last one. The credit column shows a first attempt per shot; multiply by your retry allowance.
Step 3: Choose the Source and Model for Each Shot
| Situation | Source | Model suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| You have a good real photo | Real photo | A preset, or Kling v2.1 to test |
| You need a scene you cannot photograph | Generated image first | FLUX or Recraft, then Image to Video |
| A hero shot with detail | Real or generated | Kling 3.0 Pro (2, Pro and Studio) |
| A long atmospheric hold | Text or image | Wan 3.0 Draft (Next-Gen) |
| A shot that needs sound | Text or image | Veo 3.1 Fast, Seedance or Wan 3.0 |
| Text on screen | Editor | Never generated in video |
A one-page shot list can save most of your retries.
Step 4: Decide the Order and Length
Step 5: Estimate the Credits
For each shot, credits per attempt x attempts. Add images, music and upscaling. For the bakery teaser, with two attempts per shot:
| Item | Credits |
|---|---|
| Shots 1, 3, 4, 5 (presets), 2 attempts | 8 |
| Shot 2 (generated image + clip), 2 attempts | 4 |
| Music | 5 |
| Total | 17 |
About $8.84 at the Starter price. Our budgeting guide explains the retry allowance.
Step 6: Generate in Order of Risk
Generate the hardest shot first, the one with faces or complex motion. If it does not work, change the plan before you have spent credits on the easy shots. Draft at the lowest quality, such as a 480p Next-Gen clip or a 1-credit model, and re-render only the winners.
Step 7: Assemble and Check
- Use the built-in stitching tool or your editor, and trim each clip.
- Add text, titles and music in the editor.
- Compare the first and last frames of each clip with your storyboard.
- Check faces, hands and text, and replace weak clips.
For keeping a character the same across shots, read our consistency guide, and for the finishing steps adding music to AI video.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I plan an AI video?
Write a one-sentence goal, list five to eight shots with their length, source and model, estimate the credits and generate the riskiest shot first.
How many shots does a 20-second video need?
Usually five to eight, each two to four seconds on screen, with the strongest shot first and a call to action last.
How do I estimate the credits?
Credits per attempt x number of attempts for each shot, plus images, music and upscaling. Two to three attempts per keeper is a reasonable starting guess.
Should I add text inside the AI clip?
No. Add titles and dates in your editor, because generated lettering is unreliable.
Which shot should I generate first?
The hardest one, such as faces or complex motion. If it does not work you can change the plan before spending on easier shots.
Related Articles
- How to Budget Your AI Video Credits (Without Running Out)
- 5-Second vs 10-Second AI Video Clips: Which Should You Choose?
- How to Keep a Character Consistent Across AI Video Clips
- How to Generate Cinematic B-Roll with AI (2026)
- How to Create AI Videos with Background Music in 2026
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