Make a shot list from the cut need
Moment, source, status, gap
After this, you'll be able to turn a script, brief, or rough cut notes into a shot list that separates available footage, missing footage, and approval status.
Before you start
Complete Build boards from real direction.
The idea
A shot list should answer what the cut needs next.
| Close-up | Reaction | UI | End card | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Proof | Emotion | Feature | CTA |
| Status | Selected | Missing | Pending | Design |
| Action | Cut in | Search | Capture | Build |
Cut need and footage status are separate.
Shot rule: each shot needs moment, purpose, source, status, and gap. Missing shots should not be hidden inside creative notes.
AI can draft the list from a script, transcript, or rough cut notes. The editor and producer confirm what footage exists and what needs capture, search, or replacement.
Worked example: the spot needs a product close-up, user reaction, UI insert, and end card. The list marks close-up as selected, reaction as missing, UI as pending, and end card as design.
A useful shot list separates cut need from footage reality.
Creative direction needs constraints. A direction packet should tell the team what to push, what to protect, and what to avoid. Without constraints, AI will often make the direction sound polished while leaving the actual production decision unclear.
Add a negative space section: what this is not. For example, not comedic, not glossy, not documentary, not a tech demo. That section helps editors and designers make better choices because it narrows the lane without requiring a long theory conversation before every pass.
Try it (14 min)
Watch out for
- Listing shots without purpose.
- Hiding missing footage.
- Treating transcript mentions as available selects.
- Skipping owner for gap resolution.
Paste this into Claude
Create a shot list from this cut need. Script or notes: [paste] Available footage: [paste or summarize] Required outputs: [spot, cutdowns, social, internal] Review owner: [name] Return: 1. Shot or moment. 2. Purpose in the cut. 3. Source or status. 4. Gap or next action.
What a good response looks like
Product close-up: opening proof, selected from A010. User reaction: emotional beat, missing, search selects. UI insert: feature proof, pending capture. End card: CTA, design owns.
What good looks like
- The list ties each shot to a cut purpose
- It separates available and missing footage
- It names status or next action
- It assigns review owner
When this breaks
- Breaks when the list says what would be nice, not what the cut needs.
- Breaks when missing footage is not visible until review.
AI can help with this
Use your AI assistant to help you you can turn a script, brief, or rough cut notes into a shot list that separates available footage, missing footage, and approval status. Start with the exercise prompt and your real input. Ask for one draft, then check it against this proof: The list ties each shot to a cut purpose. Accept only the version you can verify yourself.
You can now
You can name cut purpose
- You can separate status
- You can flag gaps
- You can assign owner
Key takeaways
Shot lists control production when they connect creative need to available footage and open gaps.
- Purpose beats inventory.
- Missing footage stays visible.
- Source status matters.
- Gaps need owners.