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Create Effective Video Shot Lists

A shot list is a document created during pre-production that maps out the scenes, shots, locations, camera angles, subjects, and other details for a video production. It serves as an organizational checklist to prepare crews and provide a sense of direction for filming. An effective shot list typically includes the scene, shot number, location, description, framing, action, involved actors, needed props, and additional notes for each shot.

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Akshata Sawant
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638 views3 pages

Create Effective Video Shot Lists

A shot list is a document created during pre-production that maps out the scenes, shots, locations, camera angles, subjects, and other details for a video production. It serves as an organizational checklist to prepare crews and provide a sense of direction for filming. An effective shot list typically includes the scene, shot number, location, description, framing, action, involved actors, needed props, and additional notes for each shot.

Uploaded by

Akshata Sawant
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

How to Write A Shot List That Will Transform Your Video

When beginning the filming process, there comes a lot of preparation before hitting the record
button. You need to find a set, adjust lighting, and have the proper camera angles.

One way to organize this preparation is with a shot list.

What is a shot list


A shot list is a document that maps out exactly what will occur and
what will be used in that particular shot, or scene, of the film.

But, why is a shot list important?

It serves as a detailed checklist that gives the video a sense of


direction and prepares the crew for film expectations.

Shot lists are helpful for bigger productions that need shots at
multiple settings or features several actors. It allows directors to
organize their thoughts before filming begins and starts to form a
shooting schedule.

Shots lists go hand-in-hand as part of the script writing and pre


production process.

How to make a shot list


So how do you create a shot list? Typically, a shot list includes:

 The scene number


 Shot number
 Location
 Shot description
 Framing
 Action/dialogue
 Actors involved
 Props needed
 Extra notes

 Begin by organizing your shots based on the shot location.


Grouping similar shots makes it easier to shoot because you
are able to film everything you need at one given time.

 It’s important to note that this may not necessarily be in order


of shot number.

 For example, if you’re going to shoot a scene at a lake for the


beginning and end of the video, you want the shot list to show
all those shots.

 Even though you will not be filming in order of the storyboard,


this makes filming much more convenient.

 Type of shots
 Next, decide what kind of shot you’ll be filming, such as a wide
shot (WS) or a close-up (CU). In addition to the type of shot,
the camera angles and camera moves should be specified.

 Angles may include a high or low level, where a move may be


on a handheld camera or on a crane. Once you’ve decided
your camera work, it’s important to address how you will be
picking up the audio, may that be through a boom mic or a
voice-over.

 Refer to the chart below for more shot types, camera


angles, camera moves, and audio.

 Capturing your subjects


 Next, identify the subject of your shot, which is considered the
focus of the shot.

 A subject can be an actor, a group of actors, a prop, or a


setting that is focal to the shot. Adding the shot description
gives directors a clear guideline of what is happening in the
shot.

 This can include the actor involved, the action they are taking,
the props involved, and what exactly the camera will be
capturing.

 Now that you’ve mapped out the direction of your video,


you’re ready to start shooting!

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