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Builder and coverage

The Builder is where you create shots by selecting script text and defining what each shot covers, or add shots without coverage and optionally link them to the script later. You pick a scene, then either highlight script lines for a shot or add an abstract shot and fill in details. Shots appear in the right panel and can be edited in the inspector.

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Where to open the Builder

Visual → Builder. The left sidebar shows All Scenes (every scene and scene part as badges) or Custom Lists (schedule days or lists you created). Click a scene to load its script in the center and its shots in the right panel.

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How to add a shot

You can add a shot in two ways: with coverage (tied to specific script text) or without coverage (abstract shot you can link to the script later).

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Add a shot with coverage (from script text)

Use this when the shot directly covers a block of the script (action, dialogue, or a beat).
  1. In the Builder, select a scene (or scene part) from the sidebar.
  2. In the script (center), select the text that this shot will cover (e.g. a block of action or dialogue).
  3. The shot creation form appears (modal or right panel). The selected text becomes the shot’s coverage and can pre-fill the description.
  4. Choose Shot size (e.g. WS, CU, MS), Shot type, Movement, and any other fields.
  5. Optionally set Coverage (which character or subject the shot is for) so you can track coverage by character.
  6. Click Create (or Add to shot list). The shot is added to the right panel with a label like 3A - WS (scene + shot identifier + size). The script shows a colored range for that shot when you turn on Show Coverage.

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Add a shot without coverage (abstract shot)

Use this when the shot does not map to one script range yet, or you want to add it first and define coverage later. Examples: insert shots, pickups, establishing shots, or shots you will tie to the script in a moment.
  1. In the Builder, select a scene (or scene part) from the sidebar.
  2. Do not select any script text. Click Add Shot (or the equivalent button).
  3. Fill in the shot details (shot size, type, movement, description, etc.) and click Create.
  4. The shot appears in the right panel with Set coverage (and a dashed marker at the top of the script). You can:
    • Leave it without coverage: The shot stays in the list and appears in exports; it just has no script range. Good for inserts or shots that span the whole scene.
    • Set coverage later: Click Set coverage on the shot (or on the dashed marker), then click in the script where coverage starts and where it ends (or drag the end handle), and save. The shot is now linked to that script range like a shot created from selection.
So you can always add a shot first and optionally attach coverage afterward, or leave it abstract.

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Creating a shot from script text

  1. In the Builder, select a scene (or scene part) from the sidebar.
  2. In the script (center), select the text that this shot will cover (e.g. a block of action or dialogue).
  3. The shot creation form appears (modal or right panel). The selected text is used as the shot’s coverage and can pre-fill the description.
  4. Choose Shot size (e.g. WS, CU, MS), Shot type, Movement, and any other fields.
  5. Optionally set Coverage (which character or subject the shot is for) so you can track coverage by character.
  6. Click Create (or Add to shot list). The shot is added to the right panel with a label like 3A - WS (scene + shot identifier + size).

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Add Shot without selecting text

If you prefer not to tie a shot to specific script text at first:
  1. Click Add Shot without selecting anything in the script.
  2. Fill in the shot details and create the shot.
  3. The shot appears with Set coverage in the right panel and a dashed marker at the top of the script. Click Set coverage on the shot (or on the marker) and then click in the script where coverage starts and where it ends (or drag the end handle). Save to link that shot to a script range. Or leave it without coverage if the shot does not map to a single range (e.g. an insert or a full-scene shot).

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Inspector (right panel)

When you click a shot in the right panel, the inspector shows the full edit form: description, shot size, camera, lens, movement, estimated time, coverage subject, status, and more. Edit and save; you can also Duplicate the shot or Remove it from the scene. Changes save without leaving the Builder.

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Showing coverage on the script

Use Show Coverage (or the coverage overlay toggle) to see colored ranges on the script for each shot. This helps you see what is covered and spot gaps. The coverage preview modal (from the shot or from the overlay) shows a shot’s coverage in context.

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Tips

  • Use Tag all mentions in the script (when available) to add the same element everywhere it appears in one step.
  • Shots can be reordered by dragging in the right panel.
  • For a quick shot without going to the Builder, use Add Shot from the View and choose Quick Add Shot for a full-page form.
More: Shot list, View, export, and share, Your first shot list.