DOP in Nepal | How to Make a Shot List

 DOP in Nepal

Flmmakers delight in telling visual stories through their own or shared vision. It’s this shared vision that drives the creative process, from pre-production, production, and post-production. However, before even picking up a camera, the Director, Producer, Production Manager, and Director of Photography (DOP) must be on the same pageso the collective vision is aligned. Fortunately, the process of aligning a film crew together comes in the form of a shot list.

A shot list is a document that details every individual shot that a director plans to film. It is an essential tool for any filmmaker. It helps to ensure that all the necessary shots are captured during production. A well-crafted shot list can also save time and money on a set. It can avoid costly mistakes or re-shoots. The process of creating a shot list begins with brainstorming all the potential shots that could be used in a scene. Once the initial list is complete, it should be reviewed and whittled down to only the essential shots. 

Why Are Shot Lists Important?

This very important document is an important tool for pre-production planning. A shot list helps the filmmakers determine what equipment and crew will be needed. You can also then estimate the amount of time required to shoot each scene.

DOP in Nepal

The shot list can also be used as a reference during filming to ensure that all of the planned shots are captured. It tells the DOP and Assistant Director which direction the camera moves happen and provides a representation for lighting departments to marry a shared vision on set. In addition, the shot list can be used to create a storyboard, which can help visualize the scene and plan the filming process.

Traditionally, shot lists were drawn up on paper into columns with individual attributes that would help identify where the scene would be taking place in the script. Each section would show a breakdown of all the activities that would need to take place for the dailies to be wrapped up. However, now with modern technology, shot lists are digital representations of an entire shoot from start to finish. 

Communication is greatly enhanced thanks to the ability to edit in the cloud and share real-time information and call sheets to the different crew, wardrobe, prop and set departments.

To give you an idea of the complexity involved in putting together one of these documents, here’s a breakdown of each main element that forms a shot list:

Shot Number 

A shot number is used to identify a specific shot in a film or video production. It is typically assigned by the director or assistant director and is written down in the shot list so the crew can track which shots have been filmed and which still need to be done. It also ensures that each shot is captured in the correct order so that they can be edited together seamlessly.

Source : https://www.adorama.com/alc/how-to-shot-list/