- Working with Intention
- The Shot List: Plan to Build. Build to Plan.
- From Outline to Shot to Scene
- Working with Storyboards
- Working with Scripts
- The Day of Production
- The Payoff of Previsualization
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
The Shot List: Plan to Build. Build to Plan.
Many storytellers forgo the previsualization process because it can seem time consuming and confusing. I mean, who wants to be working on a list when you could be out pushing the red button! Reality is that these same impatient storytellers often find themselves in binds later on when they realize they didn’t get the specific thing that they needed, the shots look visually uninteresting, or the talent appeared frustrated throughout the process because of how long it took. A shot list will solve all of these problems by helping you to focus your idea and to set it up as efficiently as possible.
Use Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel
You can find tons of shot list examples out in the interwebs, all varying in their levels of color coding, complexity, and detail. While these are all well-intentioned, I think that level of complexity can turn away a lot of filmmakers that are just starting out. Instead, I recommend that you start as simply as possible in an app like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, and then expand from there. Download either program onto your phone, and you’re on your way.
Are you ready to create your first shot list? Fire up your app! I’ll use Google Sheets for the example list, but the Excel steps are similar. First, bypass the templates. Yes, they can be a great way to set up a document quickly, but we are looking for a bare minimum of stuff. Instead, tap the plus button in the lower-right corner and tap New Spreadsheet to create a basic sheet. Give it a more descriptive name than the default; I called mine On the One - Shot List.
)
FIGURE 3.1 A file list in Google Sheets on a smartphone
)
FIGURE 3.2 Tapping the plus button displays two commands.
)
FIGURE 3.3 Give your new sheet a name.
Work Horizontal
While it may seem unnatural compared to how you normally hold your phone, working with it horizontally will make writing a little easier in your spreadsheet. To give yourself more room to describe your shots, you can also drag the line between the A and B columns to the right to stretch the width of column A a little bit.
At the bottom of the screen, notice the field with the pencil? This is the area you will use to enter information into the cells. To start, I would keep your file to three columns: Shot Description, Shot Type, and Shot Movement. Tap the pencil icon, and type the first column heading in cell A1. Tap the B1 cell, type its heading, and do the same for C1. Now you’re ready to start filling in all of your ideas in the second row and continue down the list.
)
FIGURE 3.4 Use Sheets with your phone in a horizontal orientation.
Freeze Rows
When you have long or complex lists, it helps to always be able to see the column headings. You can easily “freeze” this first row in place at the top of your screen. Tap the number 1 on the left side of the sheet to select the entire first row of column headings. With the row selected, tap the number 1 again and tap the Freeze Row command in the menu that appears. Now you can swipe down through as many entries as you have and never lose the heading row from view.
)
FIGURE 3.5 Freeze the row with the column headings in place.
Use Dictation
Keep in mind here that you do not have to use the keyboard to type all of your ideas. Both iOS and Android phones have really good dictation built into them and this can help speed up the process of working up your shot list. On iOS, you can enable dictation in the Settings app under General > Keyboards > Dictation.
Work in Different Languages
I am a native Spanish speaker (my Mom came from Mexico, and my Dad from Puerto Rico). However, many native speakers like me are not very confident with writing Spanish or the spelling of more complex Spanish words. We simply “spoke” Spanish and knew what sounded right. While great when communicating informally, this can give an impression you’d rather not give in a professional environment.
On iOS devices you can enable dictation for multiple languages. I have mine set to take dictation in both English and Spanish. When I need to communicate my ideas in Spanish, I switch to that keyboard and start dictating. The software is amazingly good at recognizing what I am trying to say and adding all of the accents and spelling as I need it—and it is fast!
)
FIGURE 3.6 Keyboard settings in iOS
)
FIGURE 3.7 Selecting languages for dictation
Move to the Computer to Finish
Another common barrier to making a list that I see among creatives is the whole “Ugh, I have to sit down and work on it on my computer.” Truth is, having your list on the phone means you can work on it wherever you want. Instead of brewing coffee while waiting for your desktop app to load, you can load your shot list with ideas while waiting at your favorite coffee shop. In fact, I find myself often walking around outside with my phone, using dictation to generally fill out the shot types as I think things through.
Because all of your information is stored in the cloud (remember, you’re using Google Sheets), you can also bring your coffee to your computer later and add any additional details you may need.
)
FIGURE 3.8 Your shot list begins to take shape.