Create visually consistent storyboards using PJ Ace's 2x2 Grid Shots technique, ensuring uniform lighting, characters, and settings across shots.
When to Use This Skill
- After finalizing a video script - Transforming the concept into visuals
- Need for visual consistency - Constant characters and lighting across shots
- Preparing assets for animation - Frames ready for Veo, Runway, Kling
- Presenting a client storyboard - Visualization before production
- Planning smooth transitions - Sequencing shots wide → closeup
Methodology Foundation
Source: PJ Ace - AI Video Production Workflow (2025-2026)
Core Principle: "By generating 4 images in a 2x2 grid, the model automatically maintains lighting, character, and location consistency between shots. You get a cinematic sequence instead of 4 disparate images."
Why This Matters: Image generation models process each prompt independently. By requesting a 2x2 grid, you force the model to create a coherent scene from 4 different angles, solving the major problem of visual inconsistency.
What Claude Does vs What You Decide
| Claude Does | You Decide |
|---|---|
| Structures production workflow | Final creative direction |
| Suggests technical approaches | Equipment and tool choices |
| Creates templates and checklists | Quality standards |
| Identifies best practices | Brand/voice decisions |
| Generates script outlines | Final script approval |
What This Skill Does
- Generates 2x2 grid prompts - Optimal structure for consistency
- Organizes the sequential layout - Order of shots in Figma
- Guides cropping and upscaling - Extracting individual frames
- Plans transitions - Wide → Closeup to hide cuts
- Prepares the animation handoff - Frames ready for video generation
How to Use
Create a storyboard from a script
J'ai ce script structuré: [coller script]. Aide-moi à créer le storyboard avec la technique 2x2 grid.
Generate prompts for a specific scene
Je dois visualiser cette scène: [description]. Génère-moi le prompt 2x2 grid et explique comment l'utiliser.
Plan an action sequence
J'ai une séquence d'action: [description mouvement]. Crée les 4 frames du grid pour capturer le mouvement.
Instructions
Step 1: Analyze the script and identify key scenes
## Analyse Scène par Scène
**Script source:** [Référence au script]
| Scène | Durée | Type de plan | Éléments clés | Grids nécessaires |
|-------|-------|--------------|---------------|-------------------|
| 1 | 8s | Establishing | Personnage + Décor | 1 grid (4 angles) |
| 2 | 8s | Action | Mouvement | 1-2 grids |
| 3 | 8s | Dialogue | 2 personnages | 1 grid par perso |
| 4 | 8s | Product shot | Produit + Logo | 1 grid |
**Total grids estimés:** [X]
Estimation rules:
- 1 grid = 4 shots from the same scene
- Simple scene = 1 grid
- Scene with movement = 2 grids (beginning/end)
- Scene with multiple characters = 1 grid per character
Step 2: Create the 2x2 Grid prompts
The key prompt format:
## Prompt Template 2x2 Grid
Create a 2x2 grid shot from [STYLE] film.
Top-left: [SHOT 1 - Usually establishing/wide]
Top-right: [SHOT 2 - Medium shot or different angle]
Bottom-left: [SHOT 3 - Close-up or action]
Bottom-right: [SHOT 4 - Detail or reaction]
Scene description: [CONTEXT GLOBAL]
Lighting: [ÉCLAIRAGE]
Color palette: [COULEURS]
Camera style: [STYLE CAMÉRA]
Concrete example:
Create a 2x2 grid shot from a premium Nike-style commercial.
Top-left: Wide shot of a modern minimalist office, morning light through large windows, a confident woman in her 30s standing by the desk
Top-right: Medium shot of the same woman, side profile, looking at laptop screen
Bottom-left: Close-up of her hands on keyboard (avoid finger details, focus on gesture)
Bottom-right: Over-the-shoulder shot showing the screen with abstract productivity graphics
Scene: Professional woman starting her productive morning routine
Lighting: Golden hour morning light, soft shadows, rim light from windows
Color palette: Warm neutrals, touches of blue from screen
Camera style: Cinematic, shallow depth of field, 35mm lens look
Step 3: Organize the Figma layout
## Layout Storyboard
### Structure recommandée
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ SCÈNE 1: [Nom] │
├─────────────┬─────────────┬─────────────┬─────────────┬─────┤
│ Shot 1.1 │ Shot 1.2 │ Shot 1.3 │ Shot 1.4 │ VO │
│ [Wide] │ [Medium] │ [Close] │ [Detail] │[txt]│
│ 0:00-0:02 │ 0:02-0:04 │ 0:04-0:06 │ 0:06-0:08 │ │
├─────────────┴─────────────┴─────────────┴─────────────┴─────┤
│ SCÈNE 2: [Nom] │
├─────────────┬─────────────┬─────────────┬─────────────┬─────┤
│ Shot 2.1 │ Shot 2.2 │ Shot 2.3 │ Shot 2.4 │ VO │
│ ... │ ... │ ... │ ... │[txt]│
└─────────────┴─────────────┴─────────────┴─────────────┴─────┘
### Colonnes
- Frame (image)
- Timing
- Type de plan (W/M/CU/D)
- Notes techniques
- Voiceover
Figma tips:
- Use 1920x1080 or 1080x1920 frames depending on format
- Name the layers:
S01-Shot01-Wide - Group by scene
- Add annotations for transitions
Step 4: Extract and upscale the frames
## Workflow d'extraction
### Depuis le 2x2 grid:
1. **Cropper** chaque quadrant individuellement
- Top-left → Shot_01.png
- Top-right → Shot_02.png
- Bottom-left → Shot_03.png
- Bottom-right → Shot_04.png
2. **Upscaler** chaque frame
Prompt d'upscale (dans ChatGPT/Ideogram):
Upscale this image to high resolution, maintaining all details. Add subtle film grain for cinematic quality. Enhance sharpness while keeping natural look. Output: 1920x1080 or higher
3. **Vérifier la cohérence**
- Éclairage identique?
- Personnage reconnaissable?
- Palette de couleurs consistante?
- Si non → re-générer le grid
Step 5: Plan the transitions
## Règles de Transition
### DO: Transitions qui fonctionnent
| Transition | Exemple | Pourquoi ça marche |
|------------|---------|-------------------|
| Wide → Closeup | Establishing → Face | Cache les incohérences de mouvement |
| Closeup → Wide | Detail → Context | Révèle l'environnement |
| Same angle, action continue | Running frame 1 → 2 | Mouvement fluide si même grid |
| Cut on action | Bras levé → Bras en haut | Le mouvement masque le cut |
### DON'T: Transitions problématiques
| Transition | Problème | Solution |
|------------|----------|----------|
| Wide → Wide même scène | Jump cut visible | Insérer un closeup entre |
| 2 personnages face-à-face | Dialogue difficile | Alterner champ/contre-champ |
| Mouvement continu long | Incohérence | Couper en segments de 4-8s |
### Technique de continuité
Pour lier deux clips:
1. Prendre la **dernière frame** du clip A
2. L'utiliser comme **première frame** du clip B (image-to-video)
3. Ou l'upscaler et créer un closeup pour la transition
Step 6: Final output - Complete storyboard
## Storyboard Final: [Titre]
**Projet:** [Nom]
**Durée:** [X] secondes
**Grids générés:** [Y]
**Frames totales:** [Z]
---
### Séquence Complète
| # | Frame | Timing | Type | Prompt utilisé | Transition vers |
|---|-------|--------|------|----------------|-----------------|
| 1 | [thumb] | 0:00-0:02 | Wide | Grid1-TL | Cut to #2 |
| 2 | [thumb] | 0:02-0:04 | Medium | Grid1-TR | Dissolve to #3 |
| 3 | [thumb] | 0:04-0:06 | CU | Grid1-BL | Cut on action to #4 |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
---
### Assets générés
📁 Storyboard_[Projet]/
├── grids/
│ ├── grid_scene01.png
│ ├── grid_scene02.png
│ └── ...
├── frames/
│ ├── S01_shot01_wide.png
│ ├── S01_shot02_medium.png
│ └── ...
├── upscaled/
│ ├── S01_shot01_wide_4k.png
│ └── ...
└── layout/
└── storyboard_figma.fig
---
**Prêt pour:** ai-video-prompting (animation)
Examples
Example 1: E-commerce product sequence
Context: Storyboard for a sneaker ad, dynamic style
Input:
I have an 8-second scene: an urban runner running in the street at sunrise, wearing our new sneakers. Create the 2x2 grid.
Output:
Grid Prompt: Urban Runner Scene
Create a 2x2 grid shot from a Nike-style athletic commercial.
Top-left: Wide shot of empty urban street at sunrise, golden light,
modern architecture, a male runner (30s, athletic build, black running
outfit) approaching from distance
Top-right: Medium tracking shot of the same runner mid-stride,
side profile, sneakers visible, motion blur on background,
determination on face
Bottom-left: Low angle close-up of the sneakers hitting pavement,
dynamic splash if wet ground, focus on shoe design and movement
Bottom-right: Front-facing medium shot of runner, morning sun
behind creating rim light, confident expression, urban skyline
in soft focus background
Scene: Athletic morning run through city streets
Lighting: Golden hour sunrise, long shadows, warm tones with
cool shadows
Color palette: Orange/gold highlights, blue shadows,
neutral grays of urban environment
Camera style: Cinematic, anamorphic lens flare,
high frame rate feel frozen in stills
Extraction Plan
| Position | File name | Usage | Suggested duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top-left | runner_wide_approach.png |
Establishing shot | 2s |
| Top-right | runner_medium_profile.png |
Build energy | 2s |
| Bottom-left | sneaker_closeup_action.png |
Product focus | 2s |
| Bottom-right | runner_hero_frontface.png |
Emotional payoff | 2s |
Transition Notes
- Wide → Medium: Natural cut, same direction of movement
- Medium → Closeup sneaker: Cut on footstrike (action)
- Closeup → Hero front: Emotional jump, acceptable because product → face
Why this works: The 4 shots share the same lighting (sunrise), the same character, and tell a micro-story in 4 beats. The sneaker closeup (bottom-left) is strategically placed for the product focus.
Example 2: Narrative sequence with transformation
Context: "Before/after" scene for a productivity product
Input:
I need to show a transformation: chaotic desk → organized desk after using our app. Create 2 grids (before and after).
Output:
Grid 1: "Before" - Chaos
Create a 2x2 grid shot from a comedy-drama office scene.
Top-left: Wide shot of messy home office, papers everywhere,
multiple coffee cups, stressed person (woman, 30s, tired expression)
at cluttered desk, harsh overhead lighting
Top-right: Medium shot of the same woman, head in hands,
laptop showing 47 browser tabs, notification badges everywhere
Bottom-left: Close-up of desk surface chaos - sticky notes overlapping,
tangled cables, cold coffee, crumpled papers
Bottom-right: Over-shoulder shot of laptop screen showing
overwhelming to-do list, calendar with conflicts,
red notification badges
Scene: Overwhelming work-from-home chaos moment
Lighting: Harsh fluorescent overhead, unflattering,
slight greenish tint
Color palette: Desaturated, muddy colors,
visual noise and clutter
Camera style: Handheld feel, slightly tilted,
documentary/mockumentary style
Grid 2: "After" - Harmony
Create a 2x2 grid shot from a premium Apple-style commercial.
Top-left: Wide shot of the same home office, now minimalist and
organized, warm morning light, the same woman (now relaxed,
slight smile) at clean desk with single monitor
Top-right: Medium shot of her confidently working,
good posture, peaceful expression, plant in background
Bottom-left: Close-up of clean desk surface -
single notebook, quality pen, artisan coffee in nice mug,
laptop with clean interface
Bottom-right: Over-shoulder shot of laptop screen showing
clean task management interface (our app),
clear priorities, green checkmarks
Scene: Productive, peaceful work-from-home flow state
Lighting: Warm golden hour light from window,
soft and flattering
Color palette: Warm whites, soft greens,
touches of wood and natural materials
Camera style: Smooth, stable,
premium commercial cinematography
Storyboard Layout
BEFORE SEQUENCE (0:00 - 0:08)
┌─────────────┬─────────────┬─────────────┬─────────────┐
│ G1-Wide │ G1-Medium │ G1-CU desk │ G1-Screen │
│ Chaos room │ Stressed │ Messy │ Overwhelm │
│ 0:00-0:02 │ 0:02-0:04 │ 0:04-0:06 │ 0:06-0:08 │
└─────────────┴─────────────┴─────────────┴─────────────┘
↓ TRANSITION: Match cut on screen → app interface
AFTER SEQUENCE (0:08 - 0:16)
┌─────────────┬─────────────┬─────────────┬─────────────┐
│ G2-Screen │ G2-CU desk │ G2-Medium │ G2-Wide │
│ Clean app │ Organized │ Confident │ Zen room │
│ 0:08-0:10 │ 0:10-0:12 │ 0:12-0:14 │ 0:14-0:16 │
└─────────────┴─────────────┴─────────────┴─────────────┘
Transition Strategy
| From | To | Technique | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| G1-Screen (chaos) | G2-Screen (clean) | Match cut | Same framing, visible transformation |
| G2-Screen | G2-CU desk | Zoom out | Reveals the transformed environment |
| G2-Medium | G2-Wide | Pull back | Emotional payoff, satisfaction |
Why this works: The two grids are built as an inverted mirror (chaos→order). The match-cut transition on the screen creates a "magic" moment of transformation. The order of the After shots is reversed (screen→wide) to create a crescendo of revelation.
Checklists & Templates
2x2 Storyboard Checklist
## Validation Storyboard
### Par Grid
- [ ] 4 shots cohérents (éclairage, couleur, personnage)
- [ ] Variété de plans (wide, medium, CU, detail)
- [ ] Prompt inclut: scène, lighting, palette, camera style
- [ ] Personnage reconnaissable dans tous les shots
### Par Séquence
- [ ] Transitions planifiées (pas de wide→wide)
- [ ] Timing assigné à chaque frame
- [ ] Voiceover aligné avec les visuels
- [ ] Direction de mouvement cohérente
### Assets
- [ ] Grids sauvegardés en haute résolution
- [ ] Frames individuelles croppées
- [ ] Frames upscalées pour animation
- [ ] Layout Figma organisé
### Prêt pour animation
- [ ] Frames nommées clairement (S01_shot01_wide.png)
- [ ] Notes de transition documentées
- [ ] Durées définies
- [ ] Handoff vers ai-video-prompting
2x2 Prompt Template
## 2x2 Grid Prompt
Create a 2x2 grid shot from [GENRE/STYLE] [TYPE: film/commercial/etc].
Top-left: [SHOT TYPE] of [SUBJECT], [ACTION], [KEY DETAILS]
Top-right: [SHOT TYPE] of [SUBJECT], [ANGLE CHANGE], [CONTINUITY ELEMENT]
Bottom-left: [SHOT TYPE] [FOCUS AREA], [DETAIL TO HIGHLIGHT]
Bottom-right: [SHOT TYPE] [EMOTIONAL BEAT], [PAYOFF VISUAL]
Scene: [OVERALL CONTEXT - 1 sentence]
Lighting: [LIGHT SOURCE, QUALITY, DIRECTION]
Color palette: [DOMINANT COLORS, MOOD]
Camera style: [LENS, MOVEMENT STYLE, FILM LOOK]
Shot Types (Reference)
## Shot Types pour Prompts
| Abbr | Nom | Description | Usage |
|------|-----|-------------|-------|
| EWS | Extreme Wide | Paysage, contexte | Establishing |
| WS | Wide Shot | Personnage entier + environnement | Context |
| MWS | Medium Wide | Personnage genoux-up | Action |
| MS | Medium Shot | Taille-up | Dialogue |
| MCU | Medium Close-up | Poitrine-up | Émotion |
| CU | Close-up | Visage | Intensité |
| ECU | Extreme Close-up | Détail (œil, objet) | Emphasis |
| OTS | Over-the-Shoulder | Par-dessus épaule | Dialogue |
| POV | Point of View | Vue subjective | Immersion |
| Insert | Insert/Cutaway | Détail objet | Information |
Skill Boundaries
What This Skill Does Well
- Structuring audio production workflows
- Providing technical guidance
- Creating quality checklists
- Suggesting creative approaches
What This Skill Cannot Do
- Replace audio engineering expertise
- Make subjective creative decisions
- Access or edit audio files directly
- Guarantee commercial success
References
- PJ Ace. "233M Views in 3 Days: The David Beckham AI Workflow" - Marketing Against the Grain (2026)
- MKTG Skills - AI Video Ecosystem Study
- Block, Bruce. "The Visual Story" - Visual structure principles
- Katz, Steven D. "Film Directing Shot by Shot" - Storyboarding techniques
Related Skills
- ai-video-concept - Previous step: structured script
- ai-video-prompting - Next step: animation prompts
- storytelling-storybrand - Narrative structure
Skill Metadata
- Mode: cyborg
name: ai-storyboard-2x2
category: video
subcategory: pre-production
version: 1.0
author: MKTG Skills
source_expert: PJ Ace
source_work: AI Video Production Workflow
difficulty: intermediate
estimated_value: $1000-3000 (storyboard development)
tags: [video, ai, storyboard, visual, 2x2-grid, figma, production]
created: 2026-01-25
updated: 2026-01-25