Cinematic storytelling visual development book layout, featuring dramatic scene thumbnails and script

Storyboarding for Games, Film & Animation

Bring Your Vision to Life — Frame by Frame

The visual blueprint behind unforgettable stories.
Storyboarding is where the magic starts — the place where rough ideas become real, and teams rally behind a shared vision. Whether you’re pitching to a studio, planning a cinematic game trailer, or mapping out animation beats, my storyboarding process gives your project clarity, flow, and energy.

I work with directors, producers, animators, and game teams to break down scripts, interpret moments, and create visual sequences that work — not just as beautiful frames, but as tools to move teams forward. You’ll get storyboards that are collaborative, readable, and production-friendly, whether you need quick sketch pass-throughs or polished panels ready for a pitch.

It’s not about drawing pretty pictures (okay, maybe a little). It’s about solving narrative problems through design, rhythm, and clarity. My job? To help your story shine.

Thriller concept art showing protagonist and monster encounter in moody black-and-white frame

What's Included:

  • Script breakdown and visual planning

  • Beat boards and shot structure

  • Rough thumbnail sketches (sequential layout)

  • Clean storyboard panels

  • Optional: camera movement, transitions, and VFX cues

  • Feedback sessions & iterations

  • Export-ready for pitch decks, animatics, or production

What’s Not Included (but I can help connect you):

  • Final animation or editing

  • Sound or VO

  • Full production animatics (though I can prep storyboards for them)

I believe the best storyboards come from thoughtful collaboration. We’ll dive deep into your script or idea, explore visual tone, and map out a sequence that carries the emotional arc. I use tools like Miro and hand-drawn sketching to make the process transparent and fun.

Each project is mapped to a clear production calendar, with review points baked in. You’ll get multiple opportunities to give feedback, make adjustments, and keep the story tight and moving forward.

Narrative clarity.
Cinematic instinct.
Story design with production in mind.
Fast iteration.
Open communication.
And a deep love for the craft.

  • It’s very hard to find a professional like Miguel. Very organized, prolific and effective with his workflow. Not to mention the impressive quality of ideas he brings to the table. It’s an honor to have worked with him!

    João Lira, Lead Concept Artist on Star Atlas, ATMTA Group

  • The director loved the works we just delivered from our collaboration! Thank you for helping us.

    Alice Zhang, Translator and Producer, NetEase Games

  • I want to say that your proposal was the most professional I’ve seen in a long time, even better than most freelancers and other AAA studios we’re working with.

    James Ohlen, VP Studio Head, Archetype Entertainment / Wizards of the Coast’ Company.

  • It was fantastic working with you on these, you're an exceptional talent with a wonderful work ethic. You had a tasteful process for creative exploration, and your balance of structure and freedom always invigorated our sessions. Looking forward to the future, Miguel.

    River Gandour, CEO of Third Book

Storyboarding, Games & Film Portfolio

Character reference board and visual inspiration grid for film and game concept development
storyboard with visual reference for cinematic storytelling and character-driven concept art
Stylized grayscale keyframe concept of rooftop suspense scene for film narrative
character design set in a dramatic scene, keyframe art
miguel-nogueira-miguel-nogueira-b.jpg
museum heist, characters breaking into scene, keyframe and cinematic work
man hovering while holding pistols, matrix style, useful for cinematics
cinematic car chase
concept art of elevator scene
man and dog attacking someone off camera in a keyframe for film design
a heist depicted through concept art
cinematic car chase
Moodboard and visual reference wall for cinematic storytelling and character-driven concept art

Every great frame starts with story.

Before I sketch a single panel, I dive deep. That means reference gathering, narrative analysis, and laying out structure in tools like Miro and Notion. Why? Because understanding your story’s why is just as important as drawing the what.

It’s where we decode tone, spot pacing issues, and start thinking in shots. From genre influences to key beats, I build a roadmap we can all follow — so when we hit the drawing stage, we’re aligned, inspired, and way more efficient.

Character reference board and visual inspiration grid for film and game concept development

From references to rhythms.

Part of my process is translating your world’s texture into frame logic — and that means gathering the right references. Visual storytelling isn’t just shot + shot + shot. It’s movement, mood, timing.

On one screen: visual references, character bios, shot inspiration.
On the other: quick sketch passes testing how it feels.

This is where your story starts becoming a visual language — one that resonates emotionally and works for production.

  • professional and beautifully shot wacom tablet for digital drawing and design

    You’ll get a complete narrative board setup — think Miro, Milanote, or synced PDFs — that includes thumbnails, pacing breakdowns, rhythm notes, and shot progression. Alongside that, I deliver time-stamped animatics or GIF loops to help your team visualize the flow in motion.

  • concept art workstation background, with professional software rendering

    I work one project at a time, which means when I’m on yours, I’m all in. I’m not just drawing shots — I’m asking why that shot exists. What’s the emotional beat here? Why now, and from what angle? You get my full attention, and the boards benefit from that narrative care.

  • professional freelance artist taking notes on a macbook and leading a online meeting.

    Every storyboard I do is built with intent: camera language, character posture, and action clarity. Whether it’s for animation, games, or live-action, I help teams see the scene before it exists — so everyone’s aligned, early.

  • resources and physical design books on a professional artist desk

    I bring a storytelling-first mindset. Storyboards aren't filler between script and final visuals — they’re where tone is locked, pacing is tested, and ideas evolve. I often include suggestions for lensing, editing rhythm, or scene transitions if it serves your production.

  • a beautiful selection of sketchbooks being reviewed by a professional artist and designer

    Tools include Photoshop, Storyboard Pro, and Blender Grease Pencil (for rough 3D blocking, if needed). I’ll match the fidelity and format to your pipeline, whether you're early in pre-prod or pitching a polished animatic.

Grayscale storyboarding for action sequence in thriller concept, visual storytelling pipeline

Clarity over clutter. Always.

You don’t need messy drawings or pretty pictures for the sake of it. You need clear visual thinking. I storyboard action scenes like puzzles — every piece has a job: to show motion, sell emotion, and keep viewers grounded.

Whether it's a high-speed chase, an emotional dialogue beat, or a subtle camera move, these sketches communicate direction, tone, and timing — clearly enough that your team knows exactly what to build, animate, or shoot next.

High-contrast panels for dramatic narrative pacing in previsualization

Storyboards are conversation starters.

Storyboarding isn’t a solo performance. It’s a back-and-forth. I share annotated boards throughout the process — usually in collaborative reviews or live feedback sessions — so you can shape the story with me.

These moments are often where the best ideas surface. We laugh, challenge assumptions, and punch up what’s not working — together. That’s how we make storyboards that are more than functional. We make them memorable.

Concept artist sharing storytelling strategies on camera, behind-the-scenes creation process

Storyboarding isn’t just a service — it’s a conversation.

You’ll never feel like you’re just handing off a task. We’ll talk. I’ll ask questions. We’ll poke holes in the pacing, challenge ideas, and together, we’ll make something stronger. Most clients tell me our sessions are the most fun part of the project. That’s how it should be.

You get a storyboard, yes — but you also get someone who cares about making your story work.

Art book design featuring cinematic concept frames and project layout for narrative clarity

Storyboards built to travel.

Whether you’re pitching an indie game, launching a crowdfunding campaign, or presenting to producers, I’ll format your storyboards to fit the room. Clean, organized, readable — with export options for print, PDF, Keynote, or animatic-ready formats.

No more scrambling to explain your vision. Just hand them the boards.

  • What if you're not available when I need storyboards?

    If I’m booked, I’ll do my best to schedule you in soon — and if timing doesn’t align, I’ll refer you to a select few artists I trust and have worked with. You’re not left searching blind.

  • I’ve never worked with a storyboard artist before — will you guide me?

    Absolutely. You don’t need to know technical terms or camera jargon — whether it’s for a pitch, animation, or game cutscene, I’ll help translate your idea into visual beats, and we walk through the process together.

  • What's included in your storyboarding service?

    You get a full visual breakdown: cinematic storyboards, camera movements, panel flow, rhythm, and optional animatics. Delivery includes PDFs, source files, and collaborative feedback rounds. A Miro or Notion board is available for long-format tracking.

  • What’s your usual storyboard client?

    Studios developing animation, cutscenes, previsualizations, trailers, commercials, or even early pitch decks. I’ve worked with indie creators, producers, and larger teams. What matters most is that you need clear, expressive storytelling on screen.

  • Can this help me pitch to networks or funders?

    Yes — strong storyboards are often what land the deal. They're the first visual step in showing tone, clarity, and how the final product feels. I often tailor them specifically for pitching or campaign use.

  • Can I hire you for revisions only, or to improve an existing storyboard?

    Of course. I can jump into a project mid-stage, clean up panel sequencing, improve camera logic, and elevate pacing. Or I can start from scratch — whatever the project needs.

  • Do you do animatics or motion boards too?

    Yes. If your project requires a moving storyboard with sound, pacing, or VO, I can create animatics to help previsualize timing and energy, using tools like After Effects or Blender for camera passes.

  • Where are you based? Can we collaborate remotely?

    I’m based in Porto, Portugal, but I work remotely worldwide with a fully equipped mobile studio setup. Real-time feedback, synced boards, and smooth communication are all built into how I work — wherever you are.

cinematic trunk shot style concept art influenced by tarantino

Ready to visualize your story with clarity and impact?
Let’s board it, frame by frame — and bring your vision to life.