A shot list translates your creative vision into a concrete shooting plan. It tells your DP, camera team, and crew exactly what to set up for each shot — size, angle, movement, lens — so your shoot day runs efficiently instead of devolving into "what do we shoot next?"
When to Create Your Shot List
Create your shot list after your script breakdown and before your production schedule. You need the breakdown first because it tells you what is in each scene (characters, props, locations). The shot list then determines how you will photograph those elements.
Your shot list directly informs your schedule. A scene with 3 shots takes less time than a scene with 15. If you schedule before shot-listing, your day is based on guesses.
Step 1: Read the Scene for Coverage
Before listing individual shots, read the scene and identify what coverage you need:
- Establishing shot — where are we? (often a wide or exterior)
- Master shot — the full scene played in a single wide angle
- Medium shots — waist-up framing for dialogue and interaction
- Close-ups — face and detail shots for emotion and emphasis
- Inserts — specific objects or details (a letter, a phone screen, a ticking clock)
- Cutaways — reaction shots, environment details, passage of time
Not every scene needs every type. A quiet conversation might need only a master and two close-ups. A chase sequence might need 20+ setups.
Step 2: Define Each Shot
For each shot, record:
| Field | Example | |-------|---------| | Scene # | 12 | | Shot # | 12A | | Shot size | Medium Close-Up | | Angle | Eye level | | Movement | Static (tripod) | | Lens | 50mm | | Description | Sarah reads the letter, hands trembling | | Notes | Practical lamp in frame, warm light |
Shot Sizes
According to the American Society of Cinematographers, standard shot sizes are:
- Extreme Wide (EWS) — landscape, establishing
- Wide (WS) — full body in environment
- Medium Wide (MWS) — knees up
- Medium (MS) — waist up
- Medium Close-Up (MCU) — chest up
- Close-Up (CU) — face fills frame
- Extreme Close-Up (ECU) — eyes, mouth, or small detail
Step 3: Order for Efficiency
On your shoot day, you will not shoot in script order. You will shoot in setup order — grouping shots that use the same camera position, lens, and lighting.
A common approach:
- Shoot the master first (widest shot, most lighting)
- Move to medium shots (same direction, tighter framing)
- Then close-ups (adjust lighting for faces)
- Reverse — turn around for the other character''s coverage
- Inserts and cutaways last (smallest setups, fastest to shoot)
Your shot list tool should let you reorder shots without losing the scene association.
Step 4: Share with Your Team
Your DP needs the shot list to plan lighting and lensing. Your 1st AD needs it to schedule the day. Your gaffer and grip need it to prepare equipment. Distribute the shot list before the shoot — ideally 2-3 days early so department heads can flag concerns.
Export your shot list as a PDF for print and digital distribution. On set, both paper and phone references are useful.
Build your shot list in Seikan — linked to your screenplay scenes, with storyboard frames, and PDF export for your crew. Free to start.