How to Plan Videos With Edits Storyboards

A storyboard is a planning tool for scripting and organising a video before you film. Instagram describes it as a bird's-eye view of your strategy and structure, so you know what you need before you press record. Reports about the feature describe it as working like a digital moodboard that turns loose early ideas into an organised, visual sequence of scenes.

Planning pays off because:

• You film only what you need, instead of hours of footage you won't use.
• Gaps show up early, while you can still reshoot.
• Editing is faster, because the structure is already decided.
• The video is clearer. A hook, a middle and an ending are easier to hold in your head on paper.

It suits Reels with transitions, POV clips or short scripts. For a one-take selfie clip you may not need it; see talking-head videos.

Open storyboards directly in Edits. For each section of the video you can either:

• Write a full script for that segment, or
• Jot bullet points about what you want to say or which clips you need.

Bullet points are often the better choice. They keep you natural on camera, while a word-for-word script can sound stiff. If you do want to read, the teleprompter tutorial turns a script into on-screen text you can read while filming.

Start with a one-line goal: what should a viewer know or feel at the end? Every section should serve it. Menu names change between versions, so follow what your own screen shows.

Divide the storyboard into sections, one for each beat of the story. A simple structure works for most short videos:

1. Hook (the first line or two seconds): the promise or the surprise.
2. Setup: one sentence of context.
3. Main points: one section per idea, each with its own clip notes.
4. Payoff or call to action: what you want viewers to do next.

Under each section, note the clip you need, such as "close-up of the product" or "walking shot". Use ideas from ideas and creative inspiration to fill gaps, and decide early whether you will use a template.

As you film, add each clip to its related section so footage stays organised. You always see what you already have and what's still missing.

• Film in section order, or group by location to save time, then place each clip in its section.
• Shoot extra at the start and end of each clip, which gives you room to trim and add transitions.
• Keep orientation and framing consistent so clips match in the edit.
• Record audio notes if you think of a better line while on location.

When planning is done, tap new project to turn the storyboard into an edit. The project shows what you already have and what is still missing, so you can fill gaps before you finish.

1. Check each section has a clip, or film what's missing.
2. Trim and arrange with the trim, split and reorder tutorial.
3. Add titles, captions and music.
4. Record a voiceover last if your script calls for it.
5. Export with the export settings guide.

A January 2026 update, reported by Social Samosa, expanded storyboard options so creators can add multiple takes of audio and video clips to the storyboard. That makes it easier to compare and line up different segments while editing.

• Film two or three takes of the important lines, such as the hook.
• Add them all to the same section.
• Compare them side by side and keep the best energy and delivery.
• Mix the best parts of different takes, which is often better than the first perfect one.

The exact interface for takes is not described in the reports, so check how it looks in your version.

Storyboards are reported as an extension of Edits' Stickies, which hold your spontaneous ideas, turning them into a visual sequence of scenes. A practical flow:

1. Capture ideas as they come. Save a sticky note, reel or audio you like in your Ideas area.
2. Pick the best one and write its goal in a sentence.
3. Open a storyboard and break the idea into sections.
4. Film, then edit. Reuse the same structure for series formats such as mini vlogs, food reels and product videos.

Problem	Likely cause	Fix
Can't find storyboards	Older app version, or still rolling out	Update the app; look in the creation area and Ideas
Video feels rambling	Too many points per section	One idea per section; cut the rest
Stiff delivery	Reading a full script	Switch to bullet points, or use the teleprompter
Missing footage at edit time	Clips not added to sections	Add clips as you film and check the missing list before editing
Too many takes to choose from	No selection rule	Pick for energy and clarity; keep only one or two per section
Lost the plan	Draft not saved	See missing drafts

For other trouble, see create your first reel and export failed.