Story boards are a tool used in the film and television industry to plan out scenes and shots. They are typically created by the director and cinematographer and consist of sketches, notes, and other visual elements. The term 'story boards' is derived from the construction industry, where joists are horizontal beams used to support floors and ceilings. Joists are an essential part of the structure of a building, just as story boards are an essential part of the structure of a film or television production.