The "One-Man Band" Shot List: Pre-Production for Solo Creators

You're shooting a YouTube video in your bedroom. Camera on tripod, ring light set up, mic plugged in. You hit record, realize you forgot to change the white balance, adjust it, hit record again, then realize you wanted a different angle first. Sound familiar?

Here's the truth: Shot lists aren't just for big productions. When you're the director, cinematographer, actor, and editor all at once, a shot list becomes your survival guide.

1. Shooting Out of Order: The Solo Creator's Secret Weapon

When you're working alone, every camera repositioning costs you 5-10 minutes. Every lighting change drains your battery. The solution? Shoot everything at the same setup in one go—even if it's out of sequence.

Why Shoot Out of Order?

• Save Battery Life: Your camera stays on for fewer total hours when you batch-shoot locations
• Preserve Lighting: Natural light changes fast. Shoot all "window light" shots together
• Maintain Energy: You won't be running back and forth adjusting setups
• Faster Editing: Clips are already grouped by setup in your file browser

Example: YouTube Video Shot List

Let's say you're shooting a "My Morning Routine" vlog. Here's the wrong way vs. the right way:

1. Wake up in bed (bedroom)
2. Make coffee (kitchen)
3. Get dressed (bedroom)
4. Breakfast (kitchen)
5. Skincare (bathroom)

BEDROOM (Shots 1, 3):
- Wake up shot
- Getting dressed montage

KITCHEN (Shots 2, 4):
- Making coffee
- Eating breakfast

BATHROOM (Shot 5):
- Skincare routine

By grouping shots by location, you set up your camera three times instead of five. That's 10-20 minutes saved, plus less battery drain and fewer continuity errors.

2. Gear Checklists Per Shot: Never Forget Your Mic Again

Nothing kills momentum like being halfway through a take and realizing your lav mic isn't plugged in. As a solo creator, you don't have a sound person to double-check—you are the sound person.

Create Shot-Specific Gear Lists

For each shot in your list, note the essential gear:

Shot 1: Intro (Desk Setup)
☑ Camera on tripod
☑ 35mm lens
☑ Ring light at 75% brightness
☑ Lav mic plugged into camera
☑ Teleprompter app ready
☑ Phone on silent

Shot 2: B-Roll (Hands Typing)
☑ Camera handheld
☑ 50mm lens
☑ Natural window light
☑ Clear desk space

Essential Gear Checklist Categories

• Camera Settings: Lens, frame rate, white balance
• Audio: Which mic? Plugged in? Levels checked?
• Lighting: Natural or artificial? Brightness level?
• Props: Coffee mug? Book? Specific shirt?
• Accessories: ND filter? Gimbal? Tripod plate?

3. Using ShotList.Studio on Your Phone While Setting Up

Here's the beauty of digital shot lists: your phone is already in your hand while you're adjusting the tripod, checking the frame, and tweaking the lighting. Why not have your shot list there too?

The Solo Creator's Mobile Setup

1. 1. Open shot list on phone before you start
   Keep it open in a browser tab or screenshot the list for offline access
2. 2. Position phone where you can see it while filming
   Lean it against a book near your camera monitor so you can glance at the next shot
3. 3. Check off shots as you complete them
   There's a dopamine hit to checking boxes—use it to maintain energy
4. 4. Add notes in real-time
   "Need to re-shoot this in better light" or "Nailed it in one take!"

Real Workflow Example

4. Time Management: Estimating Realistic Shoot Duration

Solo creators often underestimate how long filming takes. Add setup time, retakes, and "wait, where's my SD card?" moments, and that "quick 1-hour shoot" becomes 3 hours.

Realistic Time Estimates

Rule of thumb: If your shot list has 12 shots across 4 setups, expect a 2-3 hour shoot minimum. Budget 50% more time than you think you need.

5. The "Reshoot List": Planning for When Things Go Wrong

Here's what no one tells you: you will forget shots. Your lighting will be off. You'll realize in editing that you need one more angle. This is normal.

Create a "Reshoot Notes" Section

As you shoot, keep a running list of potential reshoots:

RESHOOT NOTES:
- Shot 3: Too dark, redo with ring light
- Shot 7: Forgot to show product label (need close-up)
- Shot 12: Great performance but audio has buzz
- MISSING: Wide shot of full desk setup for context

At the end of your shoot, you have a clear list of what needs fixing. Much better than discovering it 2 days later in the edit and having to recreate the entire setup.

Conclusion: Shot Lists Save Sanity

Look, we get it. You're a creator, not a producer. Planning feels like it slows down the "just hit record" energy that makes solo content creation fun.

But here's the reality: 10 minutes of planning saves an hour of shooting. And when you're the entire crew, every minute counts.