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Glossary

Shot List.Your Shooting Day, Organized.

A shot list is a detailed document that catalogs every camera setup needed to shoot a scene, including shot number, description, shot type, camera angle, lens, movement, and any special requirements.

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Definition

A shot list is a detailed document that catalogs every camera setup needed to shoot a scene, including shot number, description, shot type, camera angle, lens, movement, and any special requirements. It translates the creative vision of a storyboard into an actionable production plan that the assistant director uses to schedule the shooting day. A thorough shot list prevents wasted time on set by ensuring no coverage is missed and priorities are clear. M Studio's storyboard frames can serve as the visual foundation for building your shot list, with each frame representing a planned camera setup.

In practice

How “Shot List” shows up on screen

Visual samples from M Studio.

Script → board
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Script → board

FAQ

Common questions about shot list

A storyboard is a visual representation of each shot, showing composition and framing. A shot list is a text-based document that catalogs technical details for each camera setup: shot type, angle, movement, lens, and scheduling information. They are complementary tools; the storyboard shows the creative intent, and the shot list provides the execution plan.

Detailed enough that any competent AD could schedule the shooting day from it, but not so detailed that it takes longer to write than the shoot itself. Include shot type, angle, movement, key action, and priority. You can add lens choices and specific equipment needs if that information will change the schedule or budget.

Storyboard first, then create the shot list from the boards. Storyboarding is a creative process where you explore visual ideas. The shot list is a logistical document that translates those creative decisions into a production plan. Working in this order prevents logistical thinking from limiting creative exploration.

Related Terms

Explore related concepts

View full glossary

What Is a Storyboard?

A storyboard is a sequence of illustrations or images arranged in order to pre-visualize a motion picture, animation, motion graphic, or interactive media sequence.

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Shot Types in Film

Shot types refer to the different ways a camera frames a subject, ranging from extreme wide shots that establish geography to extreme close-ups that capture subtle emotion.

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Camera Angles in Film

Camera angles describe the vertical and horizontal position of the camera relative to the subject.

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Pre-Production

Pre-production is the planning phase of a film, video, or media project that occurs before cameras roll.

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Director's Vision

A director's vision is the unified creative concept that guides all artistic decisions in a film or video production, from visual style and tone to performance approach and thematic emphasis.

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Cinematic storyboard preview

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