Shot list templates are not one-size-fits-all. A narrative drama production with multiple scenes, locations, and cast members needs a very different shot list format to a single-location corporate interview shoot or a multi-camera live event. Using the wrong format wastes prep time and creates confusion on set. Here is a guide to the most common shot list template types and when each is appropriate.
The standard scene-based shot list
The most common format: shots organised by scene or location, with each shot on its own row. Fields typically include: shot number, scene, shot type, angle, lens, movement, action description, and notes. This format works well for most scripted and semi-scripted productions. It groups coverage by location, which matches the typical shoot day organisation where you complete all shots in one location before moving to the next.
The interview shot list
Interview shot lists are simpler: they typically cover the main interview size options (wide, medium, close-up, over-shoulder), b-roll categories, and any specific insert or detail shots. They are more of a coverage menu than a sequential plan, since interview productions often adapt coverage based on what the subject says. The interview shot list ensures you collect a minimum usable set of coverage, with the specific content driven by the interview itself.
The b-roll shot list
For documentaries, brand films, and productions that require significant supplementary footage, a dedicated b-roll shot list is useful. It catalogues by category (location atmospherics, product details, action sequences, abstract textures) rather than by sequence. B-roll shot lists are useful tools for a secondary camera operator or a shooter capturing supplementary material independently of the main production.
The multi-camera shot list
Multi-camera productions — live events, panel discussions, scripted drama with multiple camera setups — require shot lists that specify which camera captures each shot. The multi-camera shot list typically assigns a camera designation (A, B, C) to each shot and indicates which camera takes priority for the edited sequence. These shot lists are more complex to produce but essential for coordinating crews who need to operate simultaneously without collision.
Choosing and customising your template
The FileFeedback video shot list builder provides templates across all major production types, customisable for your specific project requirements. Rather than building a shot list format from scratch each time, start from the relevant template and adapt it to your brief. Over time, develop a studio standard shot list format that your crew is familiar with and can read quickly on set.
“The best shot list template is the one your crew can read and act on quickly under shoot day pressure.”
Template types by production type
- Corporate interview → interview shot list (coverage menu)
- Documentary → scene-based + dedicated b-roll list
- Commercial → scene-based with storyboard references
- Live event → multi-camera shot list with camera assignments
- Brand film → scene-based with priority markings
- Social content → short-form adapted interview list
Frequently asked questions
Should the shot list be finalised before or after the location recce?
After the recce, always. The recce reveals practical constraints (lighting, space, noise) that will affect which shots are achievable. A shot list written before the recce often needs significant revision after it.
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