# Storyboard vs Animatic: What Each Document Is For

Canonical URL: https://www.cineoboard.com/blog/storyboard-vs-animatic

A storyboard is a sequence of stills with shot data. An animatic is that sequence timed. When to use each, and how they stay in sync.

Published: 2026-09-10 · 7 min read · Guides

Productions lose days when “the board” and “the animatic” are treated as the same file. They are two views of one sequence. Mixing them up is how a 30-second spot becomes a 44-second edit.

## Definitions

A **storyboard** is a set of still frames in story order. Each frame should carry shot size, lens, movement, duration and audio notes. It is the document a director, DoP and client argue about.

An **animatic** is the same frames played in time, usually with scratch dialogue or music. It is the document that proves whether the sequence actually fits the slot.

A **shot list** is the same frames as a table. See the [shot list template](/shot-list-template) for the columns that earn their place.

## What each one answers

| Question | Storyboard | Animatic | Shot list |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| What does the shot look like? | Yes | Partially | No |
| Does the sequence fit 30 seconds? | No | Yes | Only if durations are filled |
| What lens and movement? | If you wrote it | Hidden in playback | Yes |
| Can a 1st AD schedule it? | Weak | No | Yes |
| Can a client approve tone? | Yes | Better | No |

## When to board without an animatic

Still boards are enough for a pitch, a single insert, or a scene whose timing is dialogue-led and already obvious. They are not enough for spots, title sequences, action, or anything sold against a clock.

## When the animatic is the real deliverable

Agency work, trailers, music videos and anything with licensed music needs the timed version. Clients sign off on rhythm more than on individual drawings. If you only send stills, the first time anyone hears the cut is in the edit — which is the expensive time to learn it is long.

## Keep one source of truth

The failure mode is three files: a PDF board, a Premiere animatic, and a Google Sheet shot list. They diverge by revision two.

[CineoBoard](/) keeps frames, durations and shot data on one record. Reorder the board and the animatic and the list follow. Export a PDF for the crew and an MP4 for the client from the same pass. Try it in the [live demo](/demo).

## FAQ

### Is an animatic a video edit?

No. An animatic is a timed board. It uses stills (sometimes with simple moves) and scratch audio. The edit uses the real footage. The animatic exists so the edit is not the first time you discover the structure is wrong.

### Do I need special animatic software?

You need a board that stores duration per frame and can export video. That is [animatic software](/animatic-software) in practice, not a separate editor. A full NLE is the wrong tool for stills you still have to revise.

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