What is a shot list?

A shot list is a planning document that breaks a video into individual shots before the camera rolls. Each row covers one camera setup: what's in frame, how it's framed, what the talent is doing, and what audio is being captured. For business video, the shot list is the bridge between a script and a productive shoot day.

Why does a shot list matter?

The cost of a missing shot is high. If b-roll wasn't on the list, it doesn't exist in the edit, and the team is left with a talking-head video that needed cutaways. The cost of a shot list is small: 30 to 60 minutes of planning time saves hours of pickup shoots, last-minute stock footage searches, and edit-room compromises.

What should a shot list include?

Shot number and scene

Number every shot. When the editor asks "which take of shot 12 do you want?" everyone knows what shot 12 is. Group shots by scene or location so the day can be ordered for fewer setup changes.

Shot type and framing

Wide, medium, close-up, over-the-shoulder, top-down. Each one has a job. Wides set context, mediums carry dialogue, close-ups carry emotion or detail. A business video should have at least three shot types per scene to give the editor cutting options.

Action and dialogue

What is the talent doing? What are they saying (if anything)? Tie this to the script's line numbers so the editor can match takes to copy without watching every clip.

Audio notes

Lav mic, room mic, or no audio? B-roll usually doesn't need a mic. Interview shots always do. Note this on every row so audio doesn't get missed.

Props, wardrobe, location

If a shot needs a laptop, a cup of coffee, a specific shirt, or a specific room, write it down. It's the difference between a smooth shoot and a 15-minute hunt for a charging cable.

How long should a shot list be?

For a 90-second business video, expect 8 to 15 shots. For a 3-minute customer story, 20 to 30. If the list balloons past that, the script is probably trying to do too much. Lean back into the video brief and re-check the single message before adding more setups.

Shot list format that actually works on set

Use a spreadsheet, not a doc. Each row is a shot, each column is one of the fields above. On shoot day, mark each shot as done in a status column. Print one copy for the director, one for the camera operator, one for the producer. Phones die, batteries fade. Paper holds up.

For talking-head and interview-led shoots, build the shot list alongside the interview setup. The two documents share most of their setup notes and one can be derived from the other.

Shot list mistakes to avoid

• No b-roll plan. If b-roll isn't on the list, it won't get shot. The editor will end up with a talking head and no visual variety.
• Too many setups, too little time. Build in 15 minutes per setup change. A 20-shot list with five locations needs more day than most teams budget.
• No safety shots. For each scene, plan one wide and one close-up that carries the moment, even if everything else fails.
• Forgetting transitions. Shots of hands, doorways, screens, and feet are gold for cutting between scenes. Add a few per location.

FAQs about shot lists

Is a shot list the same as a storyboard?

No. A storyboard is a visual sketch of each shot. A shot list is a written breakdown. Storyboards are useful for animated or highly designed videos. Shot lists are useful for almost every business video. Use both for big shoots.

Who writes the shot list?

Usually the director or producer, working from the script and the brief. The camera operator should review it before shoot day to flag anything that needs different gear or a different time of day.

Do I need a shot list for a piece-to-camera?

For a single talking-head video, a one-paragraph plan is enough. For anything with cutaways, locations, or multiple people, build a real shot list. The threshold is "more than one camera setup."

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