So, you’ve finished your future award-winning script and want to move onto the next step of pre-production. But, where do you start? By visualizing your masterpiece!
A combination of your script, storyboarding, and shot lists will propel your vision forward into the production phase of filming. This article provides a solid shot list base — as well as downloadable shot list templates in Excel, PDF, and even Google Sheets — to get you started.
What’s a shot list?
A shot list is a guide that lists (and describes) all of the shots that need to be filmed during production. There’s no one way to go about it and different productions will require different shot lists with varying degrees of intricacy.
Essentially, your shot list is a checklist filled with all the minute details that’ll give your film a sense of direction and efficiency. Leave no stone unturned.
Can I have a shot list template?
Yes, of course! Our shot list example is available in four different formats:
Shot List Example – Google Sheets
Complete with dropdown lists and auto-populating magic, we recommend using this as it’s the most robust and useful of the three versions. Go to File > Make A Copy to generate a version you can work off of.
Shot List Example – Excel
Simple, minimal and right to the point. This format is great for organizing your thoughts on a busy, multiple-location day. It’s not formatted for print compatibility so it’s best to use this on your phone or tablet.
Shot List Template – Microsoft Word
Ah, Word. Always a classic. No dropdown menus or auto-calculating numbers are available in this version. All criteria needs to be typed in manually. Formatting may differ across platforms and Word versions.
Shot List Template – PDF
Here’s a plain ole PDF shot list that you can print and write on. (Don’t worry — we miss analog sometimes too, especially in this Zoom-fatigued world of ours.)
So, now what? If you’re still with us, let’s dive a bit deeper into shot lists and learn ways to use them to your advantage.
A case for storyboarding
OK, we know you’re excited about the shot list templates. But, before you get going, it may be a good idea to draw up a storyboard. Storyboarding is a great way to visualize the major shots that move your story ahead. Use your storyboard as a springboard, and build your shot list around those anchor points. We get it, you’re no Walt Disney, but he’s not around anymore so surely you’re better than him at drawing now.
How to make a shot list
At Vimeo, we create a shot list for each shooting day, but you can also work off of one big list. Decide how you want to organize and go from there.
There are two parts to this process.
- The first part is picking and designing your shots with your director of photography.
- The second part is organizing (and scheduling) those shoots. The templates above allow you to accomplish both.
Pro tip: Keep in mind that typically you shoot out of order. Your shot list needs to be grouped by factors like location, lighting, or whether you’re indoor or outdoor.
Let’s say your actors are at a coffee shop in the beginning of your film, then they end up at a hospital, and at the end of the film they’re back in the coffee shop again (personally, I wouldn’t go back to a coffee shop that landed me in a hospital, but alas). You’ll want to shoot both coffee shop scenes at the same time. Keep those repeat locations in mind when you’re grouping your shots!
Essential video shot list terms from A-Z
Even if you decide you’re going to make your own shot list and not use our shot list template (no hard feelings), this glossary offers up 13 essentials to include in any shot list for any type of project.
1. Scene
Your scene number goes here. Simple!
2. Shot
Your shot is less simple but so important. Every angle is a different shot. If you’re filming a wide shot of two people talking in a coffee shop, that’s scene 1, shot A (1A). Next, is an over-the-shoulder shot of one of the people at the table, that’s 1B. Your next shot is a medium shot outside the coffee shop, that’s 2A. You advanced a scene and restarted your shot counter.
Pro tip: The letters “I” and “L” are often skipped due to their close resemblance to the number 1 (and to each other). Another pro tip: If, during your shoot, you add a shot that isn’t on your list, append it with a lowercase “i” (e.g. 2Ai). That indicates “insert shot” that wasn’t on your list.
3. Shot Type
There are lots of different shot types you can use. You can read more about shot types here. Above, I mentioned wide shot (WS), an over-the-shoulder (OTS) and medium shot (MS). In the Google Sheets template above, we included 11 different options.
4. Movement
During this shot, is the camera stationary, or does it move? If it moves, what type of movement?
5. Gear
This column is where you typically list your lenses (if you’re using a variety of different ones throughout your video), but feel free to include necessary gear for that specific shot.
6. Location
This is where the shot is specifically taking place. If you’re shooting in multiple areas of a coffee shop, get specific: “Coffee shop, corner table,” “Coffee shop, counter,” and so on.
7. EXT / INT
Is your shot an exterior or interior shot? Is it at day (AM) or night (PM)?
8. Sound
Are you rolling sound? Or is it silent, for B-roll?
9. Notes
This is where you describe the scene’s action or camera movements in more detail. For example, “Camera follows Jack carrying coffee from the counter to the table.”
10. Cast or Talent
Who’s in the shot? Are they famous? Can we get an autograph?
11. Setup Time
List the approximate time it’ll take to set up or reset the scene.
12. Shoot Time
Here you want to get the total time it will take to get your shot. Let’s say the shot is 15 seconds long, and you think it will need four takes to get it right. List 60 seconds (15 x 4).
13. Total Time
Total time is just like it sounds: Your setup time + your shoot time, giving you an idea of how much time this total shot will take. This one is crucial to help you plan your shoot days.
One last thing
Your shot list needs to work for you. Meaning, there’s no right or wrong way to create the perfect shot list. Include whatever information you feel is beneficial to your project, and feel free to remove or add criteria as you see fit.
Frequently asked questions
What is a shot list template?
Oh boy, you’re in for a treat. A shot list template is an editable or downloadable shot list that you can customize for your film. Any of these are shot list templates you can start using right now: Google Sheets, Excel, Microsoft Word, and PDF.
What comes first, storyboard or shot list?
We recommend storyboarding first, but depending on the project, sometimes the shot list and storyboard can occur in blessed harmony with one another. The storyboard helps you visualize your scenes while the shot list hammers out details like shot type, gear you need, location, etc.
What should you include in your shot list?
While the sky’s the limit, we recommend reeling it in (get it?) so your shot list can maximize efficiency and be the perfect at-a-glance companion to your next shoot day. Include details like what crew members need to be there (both on and off camera), gear, exterior or interior set-up, which scene you’re shooting and a description of the action, shoot time, total time, etc.
Putting everything together
Your shot list is (inevitably) a living, breathing document — meaning you need to be comfortable with things going oh-so-wrong. You might go entirely out of order on shoot day. You might run into unforeseen snags with crew or Mother Nature. Either way, you’re not married to your shot list.
Use your shot list as a guide, but don’t be afraid to see what happens.
Want more videography resources? Start with Vimeo Video School.
Originally written in 2019 by Mark Cersosimo, updated in 2021 by Caitland Conley. Art by Coco McGuire.
