Shot list

A shot list is a checklist of every individual clip a video needs, written before filming so nothing is missed once the camera is rolling. Where a storyboard shows what each shot looks like, a shot list is the practical inventory: a numbered set of clips to capture, each with its framing, its subject, and a quick note on the action. It exists because filming out of order is normal and forgetting a shot is expensive. You only realize the cutaway you needed is missing when you are back at your desk editing, and by then the moment is gone. A good shot list groups clips by location so you capture everything in one place before moving on, and it always includes plenty of b-roll, the supporting footage that covers cuts and adds texture. For a short promo, a five- to eight-item shot list is usually enough to guarantee you walk away with a complete edit.

Building a usable shot list

Number each shot, describe the framing in a few words, and note the action. Mark which shots are essential and which are nice-to-have, so if time runs short you protect the ones the edit cannot live without.

Shot lists for vertical video

If you are shooting 9:16, note it on every line, because vertical framing changes how you compose each clip. Decide the aspect ratio first, then build the list around it.