A shot list is a document listing all the shots needed for a filming day. It is a plan. It tells the crew what to shoot, in what order, and how. It includes the shot number, the description, the framing, the angle, the movement, and any special requirements. The shot list is created by the director and the cinematographer during pre-production. It is a roadmap for the shoot. Without it, the set would be chaos.

The shot list is not a script. The script tells the story. The shot list tells how to shoot it. A single scene may require dozens of shots. The shot list breaks the scene into its component shots. It helps the crew prepare the equipment, the lighting, and the props. It helps the director stay organized. It helps the editor understand the coverage. The shot list is a communication tool. It ensures that everyone knows what is being shot and why.

Shot lists come in several forms. A simple list is just a numbered list of shots. A storyboard is a visual shot list, with drawings of each shot. A floor plan shows the camera positions and the actor movements. A digital shot list can be shared on a tablet and updated in real time. The form depends on the production. Some directors use detailed shot lists. Others prefer to improvise on set. But even the improvisers usually have a plan. The shot list is the plan. It is the blueprint for the shoot.