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How to Shotlist Without a Finished Script

shotlist-without-finished-script

Getting Started Shotlisting

Overview

You don't need a finished script to start shotlisting. ShotKraft's Copy/Paste workflow lets you describe a scene in plain language — or paste a rough draft, outline, or even a few sentences of action — and generate a shot list from it.


This is useful for early-stage development, visual brainstorming, or any situation where you're still figuring out the scene but want to start planning coverage.


Steps

  1. Create a new project and choose the Copy/Paste workflow.

  2. Enter a scene number and an optional slug line (e.g. INT. KITCHEN - DAY).

  3. Write or paste whatever you have — a scene description, rough action lines, or a paragraph explaining what happens.

  4. Click Generate shotlist.

  5. Review the suggested shots and refine them as needed — adjust shot types, add subjects, edit descriptions.


Tips

  • You don't need proper screenplay formatting. Plain English works fine.

  • Try writing from a director's POV: "She enters the room and sees the letter. Picks it up and reads on."

  • You can add scenes one at a time and build the project as the script develops.

  • As your script gets more polished, you can always start a new project with the full PDF upload.


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