Shot List for AD

[Gohanto]

When making a shot list to hand over to the 1st AD for making a shot schedule, how do you typically describe setups?

Main problem I ran into recently was things like when I've got 3 characters in a triangle. I want a CU of "Bill" when he's looking at "Sam" (i.e. camera placed next to Sam) and another CU for when he's looking at Wendy (i.e. camera placed next to Wendy).

Just saying "CU Bill" doesn't cover it, but explaining all the details of the shots can sometimes be tricky. Are there other ways of handling shot lists so an AD is sure to understand them correctly?

 

[j1clark@ucsd.edu]

When making a shot list to hand over to the 1st AD for making a shot schedule, how do you typically describe setups?

Main problem I ran into recently was things like when I've got 3 characters in a triangle. I want a CU of "Bill" when he's looking at "Sam" (i.e. camera placed next to Sam) and another CU for when he's looking at Wendy (i.e. camera placed next to Wendy).

Just saying "CU Bill" doesn't cover it, but explaining all the details of the shots can sometimes be tricky. Are there other ways of handling shot lists so an AD is sure to understand them correctly?

Draw an over head diagram of the set, and positions of actors on set, label actors, draw the camera setup positions, with estimates of who is in the shot (by drawing lines aproximating the angle of view of the camera and lense), then number said camera setup positions, then generate list of numbered setups, with some description of who is in the shot from the diagram.

 

[Movie_Dude_3]

Draw an over head diagram of the set, and positions of actors on set, label actors, draw the camera setup positions, with estimates of who is in the shot (by drawing lines aproximating the angle of view of the camera and lense), then number said camera setup positions, then generate list of numbered setups, with some description of who is in the shot from the diagram.

Yeah, that would be the best idea. A diagram would just show exactly how you'll have your actors set up and where you want your camera in relation to them. Trying to put that into words already sounds a little jumbled and confusing.

 

[Kess]

Storyboards and overheads...plus I put that detail in the shot list. "CU Bill on Sam." You should be going over the shot list prior to stepping foot on the set. Develop your language with everyone prior to shooting so you all speak the same film language. It's not difficult and will save you a ton of time and money. Pre-production is the key to a great production. Most people do not like to plan. They like to start shooting and it costs them in the end.

 

[seandelgado]

as long as the AD knows what you're talking about its fine. Some even name shots, relevant to whatever is going on, so, `the door shot' is the shot that takes several paragraphs and complicated diagrams to communicate as everything and everyone is moving. But you and the AD know what its about so you can block it. Someone not involved with the organization will look at the schedule and say `10:30 to 4:30 is `a door shot'?' and you say `yeah, oh lets not forget the `cat shot'! thats a big one!'