What to Include in a Shot List

A shot list comes around at the very beginning of the filming process when you’re preparing all the essential tasks that will take place on the film set and beyond. When planning the shot list, you’re thinking about all of the different steps and important elements of a shot. Who should be in the shot? Where will the shoot take place? How will the shot play out? Who will shoot it? What features are included? Answering these questions are all necessary when defining what to include in a shot list.

A shot list will help you prepare and plan your upcoming film production while you work to ensure that your camera crew, cast, and key players are in the right place at the right time and that they are ready for action. Here’s what we believe you need to include in your shot list.

Shot List Elements

There are many elements that are vital to the shot list. These include things like the shot number and the scene number. While some elements of the shot list are clearly obvious, some are less obvious.

For example, you may not realize that the shot list should include the following:

• The shoot location
• The shot description
• Framing
• The action taking place as well as any dialogue.
• The actors involved in the shot.
• Whether there are any props or other items necessary for the shot.
• Whether there are extras, students, or other individuals who may benefit from the shot.

How is the Shot List Template Laid Out?

As you look a what to include in a shot list, generally the shot list template includes each of the above items listed in a spreadsheet, left to right manner.

So you’ll have a spreadsheet that includes the following:

• The script page or some other reference to the script location for the shot.
• The actual shot number.
• Whether the shot is in the interior and exterior.
• What type of shot is being created.
• What kinds of camera angles, movements, and audio will be utilized in the shot.
• The subject or individual that will be captured in the shot.
• What the shot entails, a short description of the shot and key details.

Use your shot list to organize where your shots take place and how. Your shot list should be organized such that the shot location is grouped for multiple shots taking place in the same area, that way the cast, crew, and equipment are together in multiple areas at the time.