| name | storyboard-prompting |
| id | SK-FTV-005 |
| version | 1.0.0 |
| description | Generate detailed image prompts for storyboard frames optimized for Midjourney, DALL-E, and Stable Diffusion |
| specialization | film-tv-production |
| graph | {"domains":["domain:arts-culture"],"skillAreas":["skill-area:visual-design","skill-area:prompt-engineering","skill-area:image-processing"],"roles":["role:creative-director","role:design-lead"]} |
Storyboard Prompting Skill
Purpose
Create detailed, production-ready image generation prompts for storyboard frames. These prompts should produce consistent, cinematic images that communicate composition, lighting, mood, and action for pre-visualization.
Prompt Architecture
Core Structure
[SUBJECT] + [COMPOSITION] + [LIGHTING] + [MOOD/ATMOSPHERE] + [STYLE] + [TECHNICAL]
Component Breakdown
| Component | Description | Examples |
|---|
| Subject | Who/what is in frame | "detective in trench coat" |
| Composition | Framing and arrangement | "medium close-up, rule of thirds" |
| Lighting | Light sources and quality | "rim lighting, high contrast" |
| Mood | Emotional atmosphere | "tense, ominous" |
| Style | Visual reference | "noir, cinematic" |
| Technical | Camera/image specs | "35mm, shallow DOF" |
Platform-Specific Optimization
Midjourney
Midjourney v6 parameters:
--ar [aspect ratio] (16:9, 2.39:1, 4:3)
--s [stylize] (0-1000, default 100)
--c [chaos] (0-100, for variation)
--q [quality] (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2)
--style raw (less Midjourney aesthetic)
Structure:
[Subject and action], [composition], [lighting], [mood], [style reference],
cinematic still, film photography --ar 16:9 --s 150
DALL-E
DALL-E 3 optimization:
- Natural language descriptions work well
- Be specific about what you want
- Include negative instructions when needed
- Reference artistic styles by description, not artist name
Structure:
A cinematic film still of [subject], [composition description].
The scene has [lighting description] creating a [mood] atmosphere.
Shot on [camera/lens], [style description].
Stable Diffusion
Positive prompt:
(cinematic:1.3), (film still:1.2), [subject], [composition], [lighting],
[mood], [style], detailed, high quality, 8k
Negative prompt:
cartoon, anime, illustration, drawing, painting, blurry, low quality,
watermark, text, deformed, ugly, bad anatomy
Settings:
- CFG Scale: 7-12
- Steps: 30-50
- Sampler: DPM++ 2M Karras or Euler a
Shot Type Prompts
Extreme Wide Shot (EWS)
vast landscape with tiny silhouetted figure, establishing shot,
epic scale, environmental storytelling, cinematic composition,
golden hour lighting, anamorphic lens flare --ar 2.39:1
Wide Shot (WS)
full body shot of [character] standing in [environment],
environmental context visible, subject in lower third,
motivated practical lighting, cinematic atmosphere --ar 16:9
Medium Shot (MS)
medium shot of [character] from waist up, [action/pose],
[background environment], shallow depth of field,
three-point lighting setup, film grain --ar 16:9
Close-Up (CU)
close-up portrait of [character], [expression],
face fills frame, soft key light, dramatic shadows,
intimate composition, emotional intensity, 85mm lens --ar 16:9
Extreme Close-Up (ECU)
extreme close-up of [detail/feature], macro detail,
selective focus, dramatic lighting, texture emphasis,
cinematic tension, tight framing --ar 16:9
Lighting Prompts
Natural Light
golden hour sunlight, warm tones, long shadows,
natural window light, overcast diffusion,
magic hour, practical sun
Studio/Artificial
three-point lighting, rim light, motivated light,
practical lamps, neon glow, fluorescent overhead,
spotlight, volumetric light
Mood Lighting
chiaroscuro, high contrast, low key, high key,
silhouette, backlit, lens flare, god rays,
atmospheric haze, dusty light beams
Composition Prompts
Framing
rule of thirds, centered composition, symmetrical frame,
off-center subject, negative space, frame within frame,
leading lines, diagonal composition, Dutch angle
Depth
foreground elements, layered composition, deep focus,
shallow depth of field, background blur bokeh,
environmental depth, atmospheric perspective
Storyboard Frame Template
## Frame [ID]: [Beat Description]
### Scene Context
- **Scene:** [Number and title]
- **Shot:** [Size and angle]
- **Action:** [What's happening]
### Visual Specifications
- **Composition:** [Framing details]
- **Lighting:** [Light sources and mood]
- **Characters:** [Who's in frame, expressions]
- **Environment:** [Setting details]
### Image Prompts
**Midjourney:**
[Full prompt with parameters]
**DALL-E:**
[Natural language prompt]
**Stable Diffusion:**
Positive: [prompt]
Negative: [negative prompt]
### Frame Notes
- **Dialogue:** "[Any dialogue]"
- **Duration:** [Estimated seconds]
- **Movement:** [Camera or subject movement]
Style Reference Library
Film Noir
high contrast black and white, dramatic shadows,
venetian blind shadows, rain-slicked streets,
cigarette smoke, fedoras, low-key lighting
Sci-Fi
neon lights, holographic displays, lens flares,
futuristic architecture, chrome surfaces,
volumetric lighting, blue and orange color grade
Horror
underexposed, deep shadows, obscured faces,
practical effects, desaturated colors, fog,
dutch angles, motivated darkness
Romance
soft focus, warm lighting, golden hour,
lens flare, shallow depth of field,
intimate framing, natural expressions
Quality Checklist
