A shot list turns a script into a shoot. Here is how to build one for business video, what to include, and the shortcuts that save the most time on set.
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.
