Shai

Shai is an online pre-production tool for film and advertising creatives, covering script breakdowns, storyboards, shot planning, and AI video. Uploading a script or creative document can produce a storyboard with generated images and production details. Shai can also extract timing, cast, locations, and other details into a shot table. Users can upload their own images, edit generated outputs, and adjust planning; shot lists can be downloaded as PDF or Excel files. A storyboard can become a video animatic for experimenting with actions and camera movements, but AI video is limited to premium users. Shai says it connects with different video generation models. Free access includes the first nine storyboard scenes and 200 Shai credits for creating and editing images, with no credit card required. The web tool needs no local download. Shai says uploaded document content, including storylines, characters, and dialogue, is not used to train its AI models or generate similar narrative content, and its terms say users own content they create. The terms also say uninterrupted access is not guaranteed and features may change or be discontinued.

Shai combines script breakdowns, storyboard creation, and shot planning in an online workflow. Free access has stated scene and credit limits, while AI video requires premium access.

Film and advertising creatives who want to turn scripts into storyboards and shot plans may find Shai useful. It may also suit users who want to edit generated images or export shot lists.

Shai is a browser-based pre-production workspace for film and advertising projects. It is best for creatives who want script analysis, visual planning, and shot organization in one place. The free allowance makes initial exploration straightforward, but anyone needing AI-generated video will need premium access.

Overview

Shai turns an imported script or creative document into storyboard scenes, generated images, and production information. It also builds a structured shot table from the same material, connecting visual references with timing, cast, locations, and other planning data. That combination is useful for moving from an idea toward a shoot plan without maintaining separate documents for every stage.

The workflow remains editable. You can upload your own images, revise the script breakdown, and adjust planning rather than treating generated material as final. Shai is fully online, requires no local installation, and says projects can be reached from anywhere. Its terms place an important qualification on that convenience: uninterrupted availability is not guaranteed, and features may be changed or discontinued.

Shai says users own content they create. It also says uploaded storylines, characters, and dialogue are not used to train its AI models or create similar narrative content, a meaningful consideration for commercial and unreleased work.

Key features

Script-to-storyboard conversion

Import a script or other creative document and Shai generates storyboard frames with production details. This is most valuable when a director, producer, or agency team needs an initial visual interpretation quickly. Generated imagery still benefits from editorial review, but manual image uploads and editing provide a way to bring the plan closer to a specific look or reference.

Structured shot planning

Shai extracts script information into a shot table containing timing, cast, locations, and related details. Shot sequencing and annotations support a more organized handoff from creative development to production planning. Shot lists can be downloaded as PDF or Excel files, which makes the output easier to circulate outside the service.

AI video and model access

A Shai storyboard can be turned into a video animatic, with experiments around actions and camera movements. Shai says it connects with different video-generation models. This expands the workflow beyond still frames, but AI video is limited to premium users, so the free tier is not a complete animatic solution.

Collaboration and access

Team collaboration is supported, making Shai more suitable for shared pre-production than a strictly personal sketching tool. The web-only format removes download and device-installation requirements, though it also makes project access dependent on the service being available.

Pricing

Shai uses a freemium model. Free access costs nothing and includes the first nine storyboard scenes plus 200 Shai credits for creating and editing images. No credit card is required to start, and payment is needed only to refill credits or use premium features. The nine-scene and credit ceilings make this tier appropriate for evaluating the workflow, a short concept, or a limited pitch rather than a full production.

AI video generation is premium-only. Shai does not publish a separate premium price or quota in the supplied plan information, so teams should confirm the commercial terms before committing to a video-heavy process.

Platforms

Shai runs on the web. There is no local download, and the maker says projects can be accessed from anywhere with online access.

Who it's for

Shai fits filmmakers, commercial directors, producers, and creative agencies that want script import, storyboard generation, shot sequencing, and exportable shot lists in one workflow. It is particularly useful during concept and pre-production, when a team needs to align visual intent with practical details. It is a weaker fit for users seeking unlimited free generation, a guaranteed always-on service, or free AI video production.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Unified planning: Storyboards and script-derived shot tables keep visual and logistical preparation connected.
• Editable output: Image uploads and manual breakdown changes let teams correct or personalize generated work.
• Useful exports: PDF and Excel shot-list downloads support sharing and production handoffs.
• Low-friction trial: Nine scenes, 200 image credits, and no card requirement provide a practical starting point.
• Content ownership and stated privacy: Users retain created content, while uploaded narrative material is not used for model training, according to Shai.

Cons

• Free limits are tight: Nine storyboard scenes and 200 credits can run out quickly on larger projects.
• Video is paywalled: Free users cannot generate AI video animatics.
• Service continuity is not assured: The terms allow feature changes or discontinuation and do not guarantee uninterrupted access.

Alternatives

Choose AI Storyboard Generators when you want a broader category comparison before selecting a tool.

Boords is a stronger alternative for a solo user who prioritizes a larger recurring AI-image allowance: its free Solo plan includes 250 AI images per month and unlimited storyboards and scripts on the web.

Cygnus suits users who want a broader pipeline with macOS and web access, 200 monthly credits, and 720p exports, though its free output is watermarked and limited to two projects.

Drawstory is another web-based freemium storyboard option with a free trial.

StoryboardCanvas AI is worth considering if browser-extension access and cloud storage matter more than included AI credits.

Alchemys is a paid web option that starts new users with 1,000 credits.

Armox AI fits users seeking API and web access alongside monthly credit plans for image and video generation.

CinemaScape AI offers a free web starter tier with projects, storyboard generations, screenplay tools, blocking, and PDF export.

GOGUL is a web alternative with a one-time free credit balance and tightly capped storyboard frames.

Verdict

Choose Shai if your priority is a connected script-to-storyboard-to-shot-list workflow with editable AI imagery and team-oriented planning. Its free tier is a sensible way to develop a small concept without entering payment details. Look elsewhere if you need generous ongoing free quotas or video animatics without a premium upgrade.