STEP 01Write the brief before the prompt
Define the purpose, audience, medium, and intended placement. A product explainer, a mood film, and a social post need different framing and pacing. List the visual elements that must remain consistent.
Prepare material you are permitted to use. Check the terms of the selected service and model for uploads and outputs. Rights vary; a tool being listed in a directory does not settle permission questions.
STEP 02Make a shot list
Describe each shot in plain language: subject, action, framing, setting, and the transition to the next shot. Start with a short sequence rather than a long production.
Use a consistent naming system so each generated frame can be traced to the brief and the prompt that produced it.
STEP 03Explore still frames
Choose an image tool and test one representative shot first. Change one variable at a time, such as framing or lighting. Save the input, the generated result, and any manual edits.
Review subject consistency, unwanted details, text errors, and composition. Select frames against the brief rather than simply picking the most dramatic image.
STEP 04Introduce motion selectively
If motion is necessary, check the video tool’s supported inputs and output limits in its current documentation. Test a selected frame or a short description before attempting the complete sequence.
Inspect continuity, motion artifacts, and whether the output still communicates the original idea. Use simpler shots when a complex action introduces distracting errors.
STEP 05Assemble and review
Arrange the selected frames and clips in order. Add notes about transitions, voiceover, sound, and any manual work still required. Review pacing with the intended audience in mind.
The expected outcome is a reviewable storyboard with traceable assets. This is a proposed workflow, not a claim that the named tools were tested together. Common failures include changing style between shots and losing the source of a selected asset.
A brief to adapt
Use this as a starting structure and replace the details with your task. It is not a guarantee of any tool’s output.
Scene purpose: [what this shot communicates] Subject and action: [specific description] Framing and setting: [camera and environment] Continuity constraints: [elements that must stay consistent] Avoid: [details that conflict with the brief]
Explore the tools and their sources
Adobe Firefly profile · Official product information ↗
Midjourney profile · Official product information ↗
Runway profile · Official product information ↗
Pika profile · Official product information ↗
Linked product sources were checked for identity and broad positioning on 2026-11-05. The steps above are original editorial advice, not vendor-specific documentation.