Topic 3.4

No Plan = Wasted Footage

AI builds the structure in 10 minutes. You shoot with confidence.

⏱️ 12 minutes 📋 Prompt Templates ✓ Quality Checklist

The Video Planning Problem

You need a 5-minute training video. Product demo. Customer scenario. Screen recording with talking head.

No plan. You just start recording.

Three hours later: 47 takes. Useless footage. No clear narrative.

💡 The shift

AI generates video structure in 10 minutes. Shot lists. Transitions. Scene descriptions. You refine and shoot with a plan.

What AI Can Generate

✓ AI Creates

  • Video scripts (narration, dialogue, on-screen text)
  • Shot lists (what to film, in what order)
  • Scene descriptions (visual details, angles, duration)
  • Transition suggestions (cuts, fades, continuity)
  • Storyboard outlines (text-based frameworks)
  • B-roll suggestions (supporting footage ideas)

✗ What AI Misses

  • Suggests impossible shots for your setup
  • Overcomplicates simple videos
  • Misses practical filming constraints
  • Forgets about your actual resources
  • Generic transitions without context

What AI doesn't do: Actual filming. That's still on you.

The Basic Prompt

📋 Video storyboard prompt
Create a video storyboard for [topic]. Target length: [X minutes] Audience: [who's watching] Goal: [what they should learn/do] Scenes: 1. [First scene description] 2. [Second scene] 3. [Etc.] Include: Shot descriptions, transitions, estimated duration per scene

Example:

Create a video storyboard for customer de-escalation training. Target length: 4 minutes Audience: Retail employees Goal: Show how to calm an upset customer using active listening Scenes: 1. Opening: State the problem 2. Bad example: Employee argues with customer 3. Good example: Employee uses de-escalation techniques 4. Key takeaways with on-screen text Include: Shot types, dialogue, transitions, timing

What You Get

🎬 Example AI-generated storyboard structure ▼

Scene 1: Hook (0:00-0:20)

  • Shot: Medium shot of stressed employee at register
  • Narration: "An upset customer. A tense situation. How do you respond?"
  • Transition: Quick cut to scenario

Scene 2: Bad Example (0:20-1:10)

  • Shot 1: Wide shot—customer approaches register, frustrated
  • Shot 2: Close-up—customer complaining
  • Shot 3: Medium shot—employee becomes defensive
  • Dialogue: [scripted exchange showing what not to do]
  • Transition: Freeze frame with red X overlay

Scene 3: Good Example (1:10-2:30)

  • Shot 1: Same setup—customer approaches
  • Shot 2: Medium shot—employee maintains calm body language
  • Shot 3: Close-up—employee using active listening phrases
  • Dialogue: [scripted exchange showing proper technique]
  • Transition: Slow fade to checklist

Scene 4: Key Takeaways (2:30-4:00)

  • Shot: Simple graphics with bullet points
  • Narration: Three techniques with examples
  • Transition: End card with resources

💡 The Division of Labor

AI creates structure. You adapt to your reality—equipment, location, talent, budget.

Video Types and AI's Role

🎥 Four video types: What AI writes vs. what you do ▼
Video type AI writes You do
Screen recording Step-by-step script, features to highlight, timing Record, annotate, edit
Talking head Script, shot suggestions, on-screen text Film, add graphics, edit
Scenario-based Dialogue, scene structure, shot list Film with actors, edit
B-roll montage Shot ideas, sequence, narration Capture footage, edit to music

From Storyboard to Shot List

AI gives you structure. You need a practical shot list before filming.

📋 Converting AI suggestions to practical shots ▼
AI suggests Your shot list adds
"Medium shot of employee" Employee at register, chest up, neutral background, 10 sec
"Close-up of frustrated customer" Customer face, shoulders visible, over-the-shoulder angle, 5 sec
"Wide shot establishing scene" Full register area, both people visible, locked camera, 8 sec

Add: Lighting needs, sound requirements, props, number of takes.

The Workflow

🔄 Seven-step video planning workflow ▼
  1. Define goal and audience (5 min)
  2. AI generates storyboard (3 min)
  3. Adapt to your resources (10 min)
  4. Create shot list (10 min)
  5. Write detailed script if dialogue-heavy (15 min)
  6. Film according to plan (varies)
  7. Edit using storyboard as guide (varies)

Time saved on planning: 60-90 minutes vs. starting from scratch.

The Cost Math

5-minute training video:

💰 Time comparison: No plan vs. AI storyboard vs. Professional ▼
Approach Planning Shooting Total
No plan (wing it) 0 min 3+ hours (many takes) 3+ hours + editing chaos
AI storyboard 30 min 90 min (focused) 2 hours + clean editing
Professional production Client meetings (hours) 1 day shoot $2,000-5,000

The sweet spot: AI planning + DIY filming = professional structure, manageable cost.

Key Takeaways

  1. Plan before filming. AI creates structure in 10 minutes—saves hours on set.
  2. Adapt to reality. AI suggests; you adjust for equipment, talent, location.
  3. Shot list is critical. Convert storyboard to specific, filmable shots.
  4. Time savings compound. Better planning = faster shooting = easier editing.

Try It Now

🎯 Your task:

Pick a training topic that needs video. Generate a storyboard with AI. Create a practical shot list. Estimate: how much time would you save vs. winging it?

The test: Could you hand this shot list to someone and they'd know what to film?

📥 Download: Video storyboard templates and shot list guide (PDF)

Ready-to-use templates for scripts, storyboards, and shot lists.

Download PDF