A shot list is a pre-production document that enumerates every shot required for a production, describing the framing, camera movement, subject action, and any other relevant technical or creative details for each capture. It serves as a practical planning tool that translates the creative vision of a screenplay or brief into a concrete, actionable set of instructions for the shoot or, in an AI generation context, for the generation workflow.

In traditional production, shot lists are created by the director in collaboration with the director of photography, serving as the blueprint that guides the physical shoot day. They ensure that all necessary coverage is planned and accounted for before filming begins, preventing situations where important shots are missed and reducing costly reshoots. A well-prepared shot list lets the production team work efficiently, understanding exactly what needs to be captured and in what order to make the best use of location access, talent availability, and crew time. Shot lists typically include the shot number, a brief description, the framing, any camera movement, the lens or focal length if specified, and notes on action or timing.

Applying shot list thinking to AI video generation projects significantly improves efficiency and output quality. Planning the full set of shots needed before beginning generation - specifying framing, camera movement, subject action, and how each clip will function in the assembled sequence - produces a more coherent final result than generating clips reactively and attempting to build a story from whatever was produced. A generation shot list also makes it easier to track progress and identify gaps in coverage as the project develops.