AI Storyboard Generator: Plan Every Shot, Then Turn It into Video
Updated
Short answer: VdoBloom Storyboard Video turns one idea into a numbered shot list and a 4 to 16 panel storyboard for 5 credits (planning is free), lets you redraw any single panel for 5 credits, and then animates the whole board into one multi-shot Seedance video of 10 to 30 seconds, from 16 credits on Seedance 2 Mini at 480p. New accounts get 10 free credits.
VdoBloom Storyboard Video is an AI storyboard generator that also makes the video. Describe an idea, and the AI writes a shot plan with one line per panel, draws every panel into a single storyboard image with GPT Image 2.5, then animates the whole board with ByteDance Seedance so each panel becomes one shot, in order.
Is it free? Planning and editing the shot list are free, and uploading your own storyboard is free. A drawn storyboard costs 5 credits, and new accounts get 10 free credits at sign-up. The video is priced like a normal Seedance clip, from 16 credits for 10 seconds on Seedance 2 Mini at 480p. There is no subscription to keep: one-time credit packs never expire.
It suits filmmakers pitching an idea, brands planning a product film, and creators who want to see the whole story before spending on video.
How it works
- 1
Pick a style and describe the idea
Choose a preset: Cinematic short, Luxury product ad, Food / recipe, Comic page, Game trailer, App demo, Character intro, Anime OP, Dance sequence or Casting board. Add an optional character photo or product photo to keep them the same in every panel.
- 2
Review the shot plan
The AI writes a fixed character and setting line plus one shot per panel. Edit any line for free before anything is drawn.
- 3
Draw and fix the storyboard
The whole board is drawn as one grid image. Tap to enlarge it, redraw a single panel with an edited line, redraw everything, or swap in your own storyboard or comic page.
- 4
Animate it
Choose the Seedance model, resolution, length and sound. The board is used as a reference for one multi-shot video with a cut for every panel, timed evenly across the clip.
Why use this tool
Text to storyboard
One idea becomes a numbered shot plan and a full storyboard image, with varied shot sizes and camera angles chosen by the preset.
Consistent characters and products
A fixed character and setting line is repeated for every panel, and an optional character or product photo is used as a reference when the board is drawn.
Fix one panel at a time
Rewrite a single shot and redraw only that panel instead of starting over.
Bring your own board
Upload a storyboard, comic page or any grid of 4, 6, 9, 12 or 16 panels and animate it in reading order. The upload is free.
Storyboard to video in one step
Seedance turns the board into full-frame shots that follow the panels one by one. The grid itself never appears in the video, except on the Casting board preset.
Price shown on every button
Each paid step shows its price before you confirm, and a step that fails is refunded automatically.
Quick facts
- Flow: idea → free shot list (one line per panel) → storyboard image (5 credits) → one multi-shot video
- Panels: 4, 6, 9, 12 or 16, depending on the preset; 16:9 or 9:16
- Panel images: GPT Image 2.5; if a board is refused or fails, it retries on Nano Banana 2.1 and then Seedream 5.0 Pro
- Fix one panel: 5 credits; edit the shot list: free; upload your own board or comic page: free
- Video: Seedance 2 Mini, 2 Fast, 2 or 2.5; 10 to 30 seconds; one cut per panel, timed evenly
- Cheapest full run: 21 credits (storyboard 5 + Seedance 2 Mini, 480p, 10 s at 16)
- Not included: PDF export, per-shot timing, separate clips per panel
Storyboard to video: what makes this different
Most AI storyboard tools stop at the drawn panels, and you still have to take them somewhere else to make a video. Here the same board becomes the video: it is passed to Seedance as a reference, and every panel turns into one full-frame shot in reading order. You see and fix the whole story as one cheap image first, then pay for video once.
Shot lists and storyboards for ads
For an ad, pick the Luxury product ad preset (9 or 12 panels) or App demo (4 or 6), add a product photo, and describe the product and the feeling in a sentence. The AI writes the shot list first: a fixed product and setting line plus one numbered shot per panel, with the shot size and action for each. Edit the lines for free until the sequence sells the product, then draw the board, swap any weak panel and animate it in 9:16 for Reels and TikTok or 16:9 for YouTube.
The shot list lives in the tool as editable text; it is not exported as a separate document.
For filmmakers
Use the Cinematic short preset (6 or 9 panels) to block a scene: the planner varies shot sizes and camera angles, keeps one character and setting line across panels, and takes an optional character photo so the lead looks the same in every frame. If you already draw boards, upload your own grid (4, 6, 9, 12 or 16 panels) for free and animate it as an animatic-style preview. Casting board puts four different actors in one role saying the same line, which helps before a pitch.
Is the AI storyboard generator free?
Writing and editing the shot plan costs nothing, and so does uploading a storyboard you already have. Drawing the storyboard image costs 5 credits, and redrawing one panel costs 5 credits. Every new account gets 10 free credits, so you can draw and fix a storyboard before you buy anything.
The video step uses the same price as the Seedance tab. The Lite pack is 300 credits for $19.50 one-time, or $15 a month as a subscription. One-time credits never expire, and subscription credits reset each cycle. Free-account video downloads carry a watermark; any paid pack or plan removes it.
Read more: See all plans and credit packs
Which Seedance model to animate with
Every model follows the panels in order. Pick by how close you need the shots to match the board and how much you want to spend. Prices below are for the video only; add 5 credits for the storyboard image if you drew it with the tool.
- Seedance 2 Mini
- Resolutions:480p, 720p
- Lengths:10 or 15 s
- 10 s at 480p:16 credits
- 10 s at 720p:33 credits
- 10 s at 1080p:n/a
- Seedance 2 Fast
- Resolutions:480p, 720p
- Lengths:10 or 15 s
- 10 s at 480p:48 credits
- 10 s at 720p:100 credits
- 10 s at 1080p:n/a
- Seedance 2 (default)
- Resolutions:480p, 720p, 1080p
- Lengths:10 or 15 s
- 10 s at 480p:76 credits
- 10 s at 720p:163 credits
- 10 s at 1080p:408 credits
- Seedance 2.5
- Resolutions:480p, 720p, 1080p
- Lengths:10, 15, 20 or 30 s
- 10 s at 480p:112 credits
- 10 s at 720p:252 credits
- 10 s at 1080p:632 credits
| Model | Resolutions | Lengths | 10 s at 480p | 10 s at 720p | 10 s at 1080p |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seedance 2 Mini | 480p, 720p | 10 or 15 s | 16 credits | 33 credits | n/a |
| Seedance 2 Fast | 480p, 720p | 10 or 15 s | 48 credits | 100 credits | n/a |
| Seedance 2 (default) | 480p, 720p, 1080p | 10 or 15 s | 76 credits | 163 credits | 408 credits |
| Seedance 2.5 | 480p, 720p, 1080p | 10, 15, 20 or 30 s | 112 credits | 252 credits | 632 credits |
Read more: Seedance 2 model page · Seedance 2.5 model page · Seedance 2 Mini model page · GPT Image 2.5 model page
What a storyboard video costs, worked examples
Planning is always free, so the total is the storyboard image plus the video, plus any panels you redraw.
- Quick draft
- Steps:Storyboard (5) + Seedance 2 Mini, 480p, 10 s (16)
- Total credits:21
- Social ad
- Steps:Storyboard (5) + one panel fix (5) + Seedance 2 Fast, 720p, 15 s (150)
- Total credits:160
- Cinematic short
- Steps:Storyboard (5) + Seedance 2, 720p, 15 s (244)
- Total credits:249
- Your own comic page
- Steps:Upload (free) + Seedance 2, 720p, 10 s (163)
- Total credits:163
- Long trailer
- Steps:Storyboard (5) + Seedance 2.5, 720p, 30 s (756)
- Total credits:761
| Project | Steps | Total credits |
|---|---|---|
| Quick draft | Storyboard (5) + Seedance 2 Mini, 480p, 10 s (16) | 21 |
| Social ad | Storyboard (5) + one panel fix (5) + Seedance 2 Fast, 720p, 15 s (150) | 160 |
| Cinematic short | Storyboard (5) + Seedance 2, 720p, 15 s (244) | 249 |
| Your own comic page | Upload (free) + Seedance 2, 720p, 10 s (163) | 163 |
| Long trailer | Storyboard (5) + Seedance 2.5, 720p, 30 s (756) | 761 |
Storyboard presets and panel counts
Each preset sets the look of the panels, how the AI plans the shots, and how the video is cut. All presets except Casting board work in 16:9 or 9:16.
- Cinematic short
- Panels:6 or 9
- What you get:A short film with a beginning, rising action and a payoff, varied shot sizes
- Luxury product ad
- Panels:9 or 12
- What you get:A calm brand film around your product, which keeps its shape, color and label
- Food / recipe
- Panels:6 or 9
- What you get:The dish made step by step, hands only, one camera angle per panel
- Comic page to animation
- Panels:4, 6 or 9
- What you get:An inked comic page animated in reading order, no lettering
- Game trailer
- Panels:6 or 9
- What you get:Third-person gameplay of a game world you describe
- App demo
- Panels:4 or 6
- What you get:One phone screen per panel in the order a new user meets them
- Character intro
- Panels:4 or 6
- What you get:A game-style character reveal ending on a name card
- Anime OP
- Panels:6 or 9
- What you get:A Japanese anime opening with fast cuts
- Dance sequence
- Panels:9 or 16
- What you get:Key poses of a dance style, danced in order
- Casting board
- Panels:4 (16:9)
- What you get:Four different actors for one role, each saying the same line in turn
| Preset | Panels | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Cinematic short | 6 or 9 | A short film with a beginning, rising action and a payoff, varied shot sizes |
| Luxury product ad | 9 or 12 | A calm brand film around your product, which keeps its shape, color and label |
| Food / recipe | 6 or 9 | The dish made step by step, hands only, one camera angle per panel |
| Comic page to animation | 4, 6 or 9 | An inked comic page animated in reading order, no lettering |
| Game trailer | 6 or 9 | Third-person gameplay of a game world you describe |
| App demo | 4 or 6 | One phone screen per panel in the order a new user meets them |
| Character intro | 4 or 6 | A game-style character reveal ending on a name card |
| Anime OP | 6 or 9 | A Japanese anime opening with fast cuts |
| Dance sequence | 9 or 16 | Key poses of a dance style, danced in order |
| Casting board | 4 (16:9) | Four different actors for one role, each saying the same line in turn |
Why make a storyboard before the video
A storyboard image costs a small fraction of a video. Seeing every shot in one picture lets you fix the story, the character and the framing first, and the video then follows the panels in order. It is the same reason film crews board a scene before they shoot it.
It also gives the video model a clear plan. Instead of one prompt describing a whole minute of action, Seedance gets a picture of every shot, so the order of events and the look of the character hold across the cuts.
Read more: AI storyboard generator guide · How to make an AI short film
Tips for better storyboards
Small choices in the plan change the result a lot.
- Use fewer panels for shorter videos. Below about one second per panel the cuts start to feel rushed, so 9 panels suit a 15-second clip better than a 10-second one.
- Add a character photo when the same person must appear in every shot; add a product photo for ads.
- Write one action per panel. "She opens the door" draws better than a whole scene in one line.
- Fix weak panels before animating. A 5-credit panel redraw is cheaper than a new video.
- Draft on Seedance 2 Mini at 480p, then render the final on Seedance 2 or 2.5 at a higher resolution.
Use cases
Anything that can be told in a handful of shots.
- Pitching a short film, music video or ad concept with a visual board
- Product films and social ads that keep the product identical in every shot
- Recipe and how-to videos planned step by step
- Animating your own comic page or manga panel grid
- App walkthroughs and launch teasers
- Character reveals, anime-style openings and game-style trailers
How do I make a storyboard on my phone?
Storyboard Video is part of the VdoBloom web app, so there is no app to install: open vdobloom.com in the phone browser (Safari on iPhone, Chrome on Android), sign in and open the Storyboard tool.
- Pick a preset and choose 9:16 if the video is for Reels, TikTok or Shorts.
- Type or paste the idea, and add a character photo from your camera roll if one person must stay the same.
- Edit the free shot list, then draw the board for 5 credits and pinch to check each panel.
- Redraw any weak panel for 5 credits, then animate the board and download the video to your phone.
How do I keep the same character in every scene?
The planner writes one fixed character and setting line and repeats it in every panel, and a character photo is passed as a reference when the board is drawn. For a character you invented, make a character sheet first with the AI Character Sheet Generator, save it, and upload it as the character photo. The same board is then the reference for the video, so the face and outfit carry into every shot.
Read more: AI Character Sheet Generator
From storyboard to short film
One board becomes one clip of 10 to 30 seconds. For a longer short film, board it scene by scene with the same character photo, animate each board, and join the clips in order. For a story with recurring cast across several episodes, Short-Drama Series is built for that.
Read more: How to make an AI short film
Limits to know
The tool makes one video per storyboard, 10 to 30 seconds long depending on the model, with the cuts spread evenly across the panels. You cannot set a different length for each shot, and there is no PDF export or shot-list document. For longer stories with recurring characters, Short-Drama Series makes a season of episodes with the same cast.
Read more: Short-Drama Series
Frequently asked questions
What is the best AI storyboard generator?
It depends on whether you need only panels or a finished video too. VdoBloom covers both: a free shot list, a 4 to 16 panel board for 5 credits, single-panel redraws, and a multi-shot Seedance video made from the board, from 21 credits in total. Planning and uploads are free, and new accounts get 10 free credits.
Is there an AI storyboard generator for filmmakers?
Yes. The Cinematic short preset blocks a scene in 6 or 9 panels with varied shot sizes and angles, a character photo keeps the lead consistent, you can upload your own hand-drawn grid for free, and the board can be animated into a preview video with one cut per panel.
Is there an AI storyboard to video tool?
This is one. Once the board looks right, Seedance animates it into a single 10 to 30 second video in which each panel becomes one full-frame shot, in order. Video starts at 16 credits for 10 seconds on Seedance 2 Mini at 480p.
Can it make a shot list and storyboard for ads?
Yes. The Luxury product ad and App demo presets write a numbered shot list from your idea and product photo, which you can edit for free, then draw it as a 4 to 12 panel board for 5 credits and animate it for Reels, TikTok or YouTube. The shot list is not exported as a separate document.
How do I make a storyboard on my phone or iPhone?
Open vdobloom.com in your phone browser, sign in and open Storyboard Video. It is a web tool, so no app download is needed. Type the idea, edit the free shot list, draw the board for 5 credits and animate it in 9:16.
How do I keep the same character in every storyboard scene?
Add a character photo before drawing. It is used as a reference for every panel, alongside a fixed character line the planner repeats. For an invented character, make a character sheet first and upload it as the character photo.
Can I turn a storyboard into a short film?
Each board animates into one 10 to 30 second clip. Board a longer film scene by scene with the same character photo, animate each board and join the clips. Short-Drama Series makes multi-episode stories with the same cast.
What is an AI storyboard generator?
It turns a written idea into a sequence of drawn panels that show each shot of a video. VdoBloom goes one step further: once the storyboard looks right, it animates the board into a multi-shot video with Seedance.
Is the AI storyboard generator free?
Planning, editing the shot list and uploading your own storyboard are free. Drawing the storyboard image costs 5 credits, and new accounts get 10 free credits. The video step is priced like a Seedance clip, from 16 credits for 10 seconds on Seedance 2 Mini at 480p.
Can I create a storyboard from just a text prompt?
Yes. Pick a preset and describe the idea in a sentence or two. The AI writes the shot plan and draws every panel. Character and product photos are optional.
How many panels can a storyboard have?
Presets use 4, 6, 9, 12 or 16 panels depending on the style, for example 6 or 9 for a cinematic short and 9 or 16 for a dance sequence. An uploaded board can have 4, 6, 9, 12 or 16 panels.
Will the characters look the same in every panel?
A fixed character and setting line is repeated for every panel, and if you add a character or product photo it is used as a reference for the whole board. That keeps faces, outfits and products consistent across shots.
Can I edit the storyboard after it is generated?
Yes. Edit any line of the plan for free, redraw a single panel for 5 credits, redraw the whole board, or replace it with your own image.
Can the storyboard be turned into a full video?
Yes. The board is passed to Seedance as a reference image, and the video is full-frame shots that follow the panels in order, with a cut for each panel. The Casting board preset is the exception: it keeps all four actors on screen.
Can I use my own storyboard or comic page?
Yes. Upload a storyboard, a comic page or any grid of panels, tell the tool how many panels it has, and animate it in reading order. The upload itself is free.
Does the video have sound?
You can switch sound on or off before animating. Sound does not change the price of the video.
What happens if a step fails?
Each paid step is charged separately and shows its price before you confirm. If the storyboard or the video fails, those credits are refunded automatically.