Using Your Shot List to Communicate Your Creative Vision

You have a vision that in your head will make the footage perfect for the script, especially with a particular scene or element coming up. But how can you make sure that the audience sees what you see? This is where professional cinematographers are using the shot list to communicate the creative vision to others and producing powerful connections between the scene and the audience.

Follow along as we outline what you can do with a shot list to ensure the entire production crew knows how to deliver your creative vision so the end audience.

What’s a Shot List? 

The shot list is essential to keeping the creative elements of your shoot in order.

Whether you’re working on a multi-million dollar film or a low-budget video, the shot list will deliver your creative vision to the rest of the production crew to ensure your content is carried out in exactly the manner you intend. But what’s a shot list exactly?

A shot list is the detailed outline of camera shots that will be captured for each scene in your video production. This is the ultimate creative vision of the director and cinematographer coming together in preproduction to outline the specific details of every shot.

A great shot list will contain:

• Precise specifications regarding camera use
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• Shot size
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• Shot type
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• Camera location
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• Any other details necessary to ensure that both the cinematographer and the assistant director will know what tasks must be completed to ensure that the visual storytelling is exactly what the director intended.

Elements of a Great Shot List

Now, getting into detail, the elements that are included in the best shot list will focus on providing the rest of the production team with a camera setup and configuration that helps them to capture the creative vision of the Director for a particular scene.

As a shot is executed, several elements are considered by the camera crew.

These are the elements of a great shot list and include:

Camera distance 

The location of the camera in relation to the subject being filmed. The camera distance details on the shot list may be as simple as “Close-up” or they maybe more defined such as “long-shot moving into close-up.”

Camera position

The location of the camera positioning in relation to the subject such as “eye level” or “Over-the-shoulder.”

Camera position is not always defined as such and may be inferred based on the shot such as “profile shot” which would tell the cinematographer that the position of the camera would be to the side of the subject.

Camera Angle 

The location or height of the camera lens. The camera angle is used to help the cinematographer determine the mood for the scene and to set the emotional connection between the character and the audience.

A camera angle may mention “raising the lens” or “lowering the lens” to evoke a sense of vulnerability or power, respectively, about the character.

Camera frame

The view of the subject within the camera, the camera frame refers to how much of the subject or action taking place in the scene is viewable in the camera at the time.

The camera frame details help the cinematographer to know whether to focus the audience’s attention on certain elements of the scene, the character, or the setting.

Depth of Field

The depth of field refers to the area in focus in relation to the subject and is generally inferred as “Sharp in focus,” “shallow focus,” or “deep focus.” Each refers to the amount of the scene and the area that is visually in focus relative to the character.

Camera movements

This refers to the action that the camera will take during the scene such as a tilt up or tilt down, dolly, or other movement. Camera movements follow action or characters to evoke additional connection between the scene and the audience.

Using Camera Movements to Communicate Vision

Camera movements are often used in the shot list to communicate to the crew what you intend the audience to see or be a part of as the scene unfolds.

If there is no movement defined for a camera within the shot list, the crew will assume that there is no intended camera movement for that scene or shot. The camera will remain static and a fixed tripod will be used to capture the scene unfold. 

However, communicating various camera movements to the crew will help them to use the camera to further deliver your creative vision to the audience.

The following camera movements may be included in your shot list to help the cinematographer deliver a powerful connection to your creative vision:

• Panning – this is the process of moving the camera lens from right to left as an action takes place or unfolds.
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• Tilting – this is the process of moving the camera lens up or down so that it can follow the action as it unfolds.
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• Dolly – this involves moving the camera forward or backward to follow the action as it occurs.
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• Tracking – this involves moving the entire camera left or right alongside the action as it unfolds.
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• Crane – this involves moving the camera up higher or lower in relation to the action that is occurring on the scene.

Using Camera Shots & Angles to Communicate Vision

You can also incorporate various shots and camera angles, as discussed above, to communicate your creative vision to the film crew for production. A great shot list will include the exact framing and shot type for each camera that is participating in the capture of the scene.

Consider each of the following frames or shots when you create your shot list:

• Wide shot – to deliver information about the entire scene to the audience.
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• Medium shot – to deliver the subject from waist up to and above the head for a close representation of the distance between a character and the audience.
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• Medium two shot – to show two characters in the frame at a distance that includes their waist up and shows emotions between the two characters.
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• Medium wide shot – to show multiple characters, waist up in the scene and evoke a sense of camaraderie.
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• Over-the-Shoulder – to show conversation and help the audience feel engaged.
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• Close up – to show the audience a critical element of the character or scene and help the audience to connect with the emotion of the character.
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• Dutch Angle – to create a sense of character disorientation as the camera is titled to an angle.

Finalizing the Shot List

As you work to include each of the above details and elements in your shot list, consider the budget of the film and the tools or resources available to make the production come together.

While you may have a vision for a crane shot, if the budget won’t accommodate a crane, but can accommodate a drone, your shot list should allow for such flexibility.

Dynamic Shot Lists

Dynamic shot lists allow for the entire film crew to do their part in delivering on your creative vision while staying on budget and using the tools or equipment available at their disposal. 

Likewise, make sure that each of your shots use movement, frame and camera shot to produce the visual elements that match the story you’re trying to tell. You don’t want any shots to feel out of place or awkward when the shoot begins. 

Be Patient

Use patience to ensure the entire crew can understand the desired intent of your shot. You may find that an intended shot is better delivered with a team effort in which recommendations for different shots, angles or camera movements are welcomed.

If things get complicated, be prepared to work with the cinematography crew to help everyone understand the desired vision and how it should play out.

Need help putting together a professional shot list that will deliver your creative vision to the viewing audience? Contact Beverly Boy Productions today! We can’t wait to help you define a shot list that the camera crew can use to bring your video project to the next level.