Video Shot List Template (Free, Copyable) and How to Use It

A video shot list is the crew's version of the script: every shot the edit needs, written as a task with its size, angle, action, movement and priority, then sorted into the order you'll film it. The template below is ready to copy, with a filled example. This page is part of our video production guide.

How to use this template: copy the text block into a spreadsheet, fill in one row per shot from your script and storyboard, then work through the checklists below. Sort the finished list by location and setup, and print it for the crew.

The shot list template

Copy this header row into a spreadsheet. Each comma becomes a column:

Shot,Script row,Location / setup,Size,Angle,Lens,Movement / support,
Action,Audio,Props / talent,Priority,Status,Notes

The two lines above are one header row, split here to fit the page. Paste them as a single line.

Here is a filled example for part of a product ad shoot, already sorted into shoot order:

Sizes use the usual shorthand: WS is a wide shot, MS a medium shot, MCU a medium close-up, CU a close-up and ECU an extreme close-up. Priority A means the edit fails without it, B means it makes the cut better and C means shoot it only if time allows.

Fill in each column

Build the rows from the storyboard, one shot per panel, and fill every column before the list goes to the crew.

• Number every shot, and keep the script row number beside it.
• Name the location and lighting setup each shot belongs to.
• Write the shot size using one shorthand the whole crew knows.
• Note the camera angle: eye level, high, low or top down.
• Describe the movement and support, such as locked off, slider or handheld.
• Write the action in one line a crew member can picture.
• Note the audio: dialogue, voiceover only, nat sound or silence.
• List the props, products and talent each shot needs.

Order the list for the shoot day

A shot list in script order is for checking. A shot list in shoot order is for working. Re-sort before the schedule is built, and the day runs on setups instead of jumps back and forth.

• Group shots by location first, then by lighting setup.
• Shoot every angle in one lighting direction before turning the lights around.
• Put light-dependent exteriors at the hour the light is right.
• Schedule A-priority shots early in each setup.
• Mark which C-priority shots get cut first if time runs short.
• Flag shots that need special gear, so it arrives in time.

Check coverage before you lock it

Before the list goes out, read it as an editor would. Every cut the edit needs has to exist as a shot on this list.

• Check that every script row has at least one A-priority shot.
• Add cutaways so the editor can shorten speech without jump cuts.
• Add establishing shots for every new location.
• Add product and detail close-ups for every claim the voiceover makes.
• Add vertical-safe framing notes for shots that also feed vertical edits.
• Add room tone for every location with dialogue.
• Add pickups for lines or actions you expect to need twice.

Keep the list live on set

The shot list is a working document on the day, not a plan filed away. One person should own it.

• Assign one person to mark shots done, moved or dropped.
• Mark the best take for each shot as it is filmed.
• Note card or file numbers next to each completed shot.
• Write reasons beside dropped shots, so the edit isn't surprised.
• Copy the marked-up list into the media handoff at wrap.

Our pre-production checklist covers the rest of the prep, and how to record clean audio on location covers the sound side. For the rest of the day on set, see the shoot day run-of-showshoot day run-of-show. If you'd rather have the planning, shoot and edit handled together, our in-house video production team starts every project with a treatment, shot list and clear scope.