Most shot lists fail because they are too wide to read on set. Nine columns cover almost every production. Anything else belongs in notes.
The minimum viable shot list
Use this set unless a department asks for more:
A downloadable layout of the same fields lives on the shot list template page.
| Column | What it answers |
|---|---|
| Scene | Where this shot lives in the script |
| Shot number | The unique code the crew calls |
| Thumbnail | What the camera is actually pointed at |
| Shot size | WS / MS / CU and why |
| Lens | mm, or a written equivalent |
| Movement | Static, pan, push, handheld, drone |
| Subject | Who or what is in frame |
| Duration | Seconds the animatic and schedule will use |
| Notes | Audio, VFX, continuity, safety |
Thumbnails are not decoration
A thumbnail next to each row is the fastest way for a 1st AD to confirm the crew is shooting the right thing. Lists without images generate more questions on set than any other document.
Duration belongs on the board
Duration is the field that connects the board to the edit. Once each frame has a time, the sum tells you whether a 30-second spot is actually a 44-second spot before anyone books a camera.
One source of truth
Keeping a board in one tool and a list in a spreadsheet guarantees two versions of the truth. CineoBoard renders the same frames as a board or as a table, so reordering, renumbering and re-timing happen once.
FAQ
Is a shot list the same as a storyboard?
No. The storyboard is the picture of the shot. The shot list is the production data for that picture. They should describe the same frames. See storyboard vs animatic for the third document in the set.
Can I export a CineoBoard shot list to a spreadsheet?
Yes. Export CSV for Excel or the logistics tool that runs your shoot day. The board remains the source of truth.