Adding a Storyboard to Your Celtx File

Celtx's desire to bridge the gap between screenwriting and film pre-production has opened it up to include a whole host of different types of documentation and tools. With this is the creation of breakdown forms, character descriptions, schedules, and other things that help you flesh out the project that will come from your script. Another aspect of this pre-production process is the creation of storyboards, and Celtx has a unique way for you to add storyboards to your regular script. Here is a simple tutorial on how to add storyboards to your Celtx project.

When working with your script in Celtx begin by selecting the Add button in the upper right hand corner. This will bring up the Add drop down menu where you can choose a variety of different document types that you can add to your project. Choose Storyboard from the list, which is second from the top, right below Script. Go to Item Details below and make sure that your specific script is selected. Give this Celtx Storyboard a name so that it can be easily identified.

Once you associate your Celtx Storyboard with your Celtx screenplay you will have a Storyboard tab that will have a little storyboard section for each numbered scene in your script. Here you can choose a type of shot it is going to be for what is listed in that scene from options like Wide, Master, or Medium.

Below you have two picture spots, one for a storyboard image and one for a sketch. If you click on the one that says Add Image you can then take an image that is saved on your computer, usually that was taken from the storyboard artist and then scanned and uploaded.

If you click on the Add Sketch you will be taken to the Celtx sketch area where you can create a sketch that is used in this spot. The sketch is a unique aspect of your Celtx document and is usually a directional image that is constructed with items arrows and boxes.

Below these boxes is an Add Shot button. For each specific shot you will use the Add Shot button and complete the process of labeling the shot type, adding a storyboard image constructed by the storyboard artist, and then adding a Celtx sketch.

When you are done with this you will have integrated a complete storyboard, shot list, and image sketch to each numbered scene according to what is already in your screenplay. This will allow this document to remain permanently linked with your screenplay, so it is the perfect way for the Director of Photography to link the storyboard in a way that all other departments can see it so as to determine their tasks.