Pre- Production: shot list

 

ACT I Shot List
A shot list is a document that describes each shot within a film or video to map out everything that will happen in a scene.
Shot #	Description/Action Line	Camera Shot (Shot size and angle)	Composition of Shot and Camera Framing	Camera Movement	Sound (Music, Dialogue, sound effects.)
1	A fade in of the camera moving around the house then slowing going to the MC while he is sleeping/overdosed fading into what he is dreaming about	An establishing shot	Dim lights, and then a sudden cut	In a spiral pace but ends at the corner	None
2	Inside MC’s dream; he is in a flashback scene, of his grandmother getting beat	Wide shot.	Bright colors, dynamic movement; dime colors around MC. MC is central but slightly blurred.	Circular dolly-in around MC, creating a sense of disorientation and euphoria.	Muffled voices, angry shouts, and a somber music cue.
3	The main character's hand trembles as he wakes up from the flashback from his past	Close-up shot.	Focus on the hand holding the wine bottle to show an addiction with a mirror reflecting the character's anxious expression.	Slow push in to emphasize the tension.	Bathrooms' echo, water dripping, and a ring sound in his ear
4	The main character looks into the mirror, reflecting on their choices as they consider using drugs again.	High angle shot.	The character appears big in the frame, emphasizing feelings of addiction	Slow dolly in toward the mirror.	Bathrooms' echo, water dripping
5	The main characters find themselves alone in a bathroom, grappling with anxiety about the drugs	Wide shot.	Face in frame with distorted reflections in the mirror indicating inner turmoil.	Fast, shaky handheld movement to convey panic.	Echoing breaths and a ringing pitch
6	The camera captures a close-up of a bottle of pills and cocaine in a big zip lock bag in the back	Close-up shot.	The frame is tightly focused on the pills as they spill out, with vibrant colors and varied shapes creating a visually striking image. The background remains intentionally blurred to keep the attention on the pills themselves.	A slight tilt or pan may follow the movement of the pills as they fall, adding a sense of dynamism and urgency.	Bathrooms' echo, water dripping
7	The camera angles toward a table where a phone suddenly starts ringing. The caller ID displays “Dad,” hinting at an emotionally charged conversation about to unfold.	Medium close-up shot.	The phone takes center stage, framed in the foreground with just enough background detail to hint at the protagonist’s surroundings—a cluttered kitchen or a dimly lit living room that reflects their mental state. The screen lights up prominently, drawing the viewer's eye to the name “Dad” as it flashes.	The camera could slowly zoom in on the phone as it rings, creating an intimate focus that heightens the emotional stakes. A subtle shake may accompany the zoom to convey the protagonist's anxiety in anticipation of the call.	The ringing tone pierces the ambient silence, growing louder and more insistent. Background noises fade, and a heartbeat sound subtly underlies the ringing, emphasizing the protagonist's tension and uncertainty about answering the call.
8	The camera follows as the character descends a staircase, each step echoing softly as they make their way to a dimly lit dining table, where an important conversation or moment is about to unfold.	Wide shot transitioning to medium shot.	The wide shot captures the character half-way to the bottom of the stairs, silhouetted against the light coming from the table below, creating a sense of depth and setting the stage for their journey down. As they reach the bottom, the shot transitions into a medium shot, focusing on their expression and mood—perhaps a mixture of determination and apprehension.	The camera follows their descent smoothly, perhaps with a slight upward tilt to keep the character framed as they move down the steps. A slow zoom in could accompany their arrival, emphasizing their psychological state as they approach the table.	The creaking of stairs underfoot and the slight rustling of fabric or breathing give a sense of realism. As they reach the bottom, the background sound fades, focusing on a heartbeat or a subtle, tense musical score that heightens the anticipation of what lies ahead at the table.
9	The main character sits alone at a table, staring at a pile of cocaine in front of them.	Extreme close-up.	Focus tightly on the drugs, with the characters hands faintly visible in the background.	A high viewpoint of the character putting the cocaine into separate pills displaying their hands	A quiet background
10	The main character receives a text about an upcoming deal where drugs will be present.	Over-the-shoulder shot.	Shows the phone screen and the main character’s voiced reaction.	Smooth tilt down to focus on the incoming message after	Ping of the notification followed by ambient noise fading into tension.
11	The camera follows the character as they walk purposefully toward a door, the atmosphere thick with anticipation and uncertainty about who or what awaits them on the other side.	Medium shot transitioning to close-up.	The medium shot frames the character from the waist up, allowing viewers to see their body language and the determined pace of their walk. The door looms in the background, slightly ajar, inviting yet unsettling. As the character reaches for the handle, the shot transitions to a close-up of their hand grasping the doorknob, emphasizing the moment's significance	The camera gently tracks alongside the character, maintaining a slight focus on their facial expression. As they move closer to the door, the camera could tilt slightly upwards to capture their gaze, portraying both the door's foreboding presence and their resolve.	The sound of footsteps resonates in the quiet space, growing louder with each step. As they approach the door, a low, suspenseful score builds in the background, combined with ambient sounds—perhaps the wind outside or the distant sounds of life beyond the door—adding to the tension of the moment.
12	The character stands just outside the door, hand poised on the knob, when two shadowy figures suddenly appear in the hallway behind him, their intentions clear as they move stealthily toward him.	Close-up followed by medium shot	The initial close-up captures the character's face, a mix of determination and trepidation as he prepares to open the door. This shot focuses on their furrowed brow and slightly parted lips, conveying the weight of the moment. As he grips the doorknob, the camera shifts to a split-screen. On one side is a close-up of the character’s expression, and on the other, the two antagonists creep closer with menacing intent.	The camera may use a slow dolly in on the character’s face, heightening the suspense. Meanwhile, the frame on the right side pulls back slightly to show the advancing figures, creating a sense of looming danger. The juxtaposition intensifies the immediate threat as viewers see both sides of the impending confrontation.	Ambient sounds fade, replaced by a hushed tension. The faint creaking of the door as it slowly opens mixes with a low, pulsating score that heightens the atmosphere. Just as the character turns the knob, the sound of footsteps from the two bad people becomes audible, increasing the stakes of the scene