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Using shots to confirm coverage (by character)

Coverage is which character or subject each shot is for. When you assign coverage to shots and view coverage by character in the Builder, you can see how much of the scene you have covered for each character and spot gaps before you shoot.

Defining coverage when adding or editing shots

When you add a shot (from script selection or Add Shot without selection), you can set Coverage in the shot form: pick a coverage subject (e.g. a character from the breakdown or a custom subject like “Extras”, “Insert”). That subject is stored with the shot so you can filter and summarize by character. You can also set Coverage N/A for shots that are not character-specific (e.g. b-roll, inserts, establishing shots). Coverage subjects are managed at the project level. In the shot list Settings ( MoreSettings), use Manage Coverage to open the coverage subjects page where you add or edit subjects and assign colors. Characters from your breakdown can be synced as coverage subjects with their character color so the same color appears on the stripboard, breakdown, and shot list.

Viewing coverage by character in the Builder

In the Builder ( VisualBuilder), turn on Show Coverage to see colored ranges on the script for each shot. Each shot’s coverage subject (character or custom) is drawn on the script so you can see which lines are covered and by which shot. Use the coverage filter (e.g. a Filters dropdown or filter chips when Show Coverage is on) to limit which coverage subjects are shown. For example:
  • Show only JOHN’s shots: Hide everyone else’s coverage so you see only that character’s coverage on the script. You can then scroll the scene and see if John has enough coverage for the scene or if there are gaps.
  • Hide N/A: Show only principal character coverage so you can focus on scripted coverage and spot missing character coverage.
By filtering by character and viewing the overlay, you answer: “Do we have enough coverage for this character in this scene?” without leaving the Builder.

How this helps on the scene

Before or during the shoot, open the Builder for that scene, turn on Show Coverage, and filter by one character. The script shows only that character’s shot ranges. Gaps (lines with no colored coverage) are moments that character is in the scene but have no dedicated shot yet. Add shots for those beats or confirm they are covered in a wider shot. Repeat for each principal character to confirm you have the coverage you need for the scene. More: Shot list, Managing shot lists, Builder and coverage.