If you have already imported your screenplay using the Script Editor, you can automatically generate your entire shot list infrastructure in seconds.
Open the Shot List: Navigate to the Shot List module using the left sidebar.
Trigger Population: Click the “Populate from Script” button in the top menu bar (or press Shift + P from the Script Editor).
Automatic Generation: CineLog will scan your script, identify every scene heading (e.g., INT. KITCHEN - DAY), and automatically create a corresponding Scene Block in your shot list.
As your shot list grows, you need flexible ways to view and organize the data. CineLog offers two distinct ways to look at your shot list, which dictate how reordering constraints are handled.
Organizes your shots in exact chronological script order (Scene 1, Scene 2, Scene 3). This is perfect for pre-production when you are figuring out your coverage relative to the story.
Reordering Constraints: Linear view strictly enforces absolute script order. If you drag a shot to reorder it within a scene, it maintains its scene association but updates its sequence. If you drag a shot across a scene boundary, the system automatically recalculates the shot’s scene association. If the shot had a production day assigned, the system will attempt to sync that day with the destination scene to maintain consistency.
Reorganizes your shots based on logistical efficiency, grouping them by Production Days (e.g., shooting all INT. KITCHEN scenes on Day 1, regardless of where they happen in the story).
Reordering Constraints: Ordered chronologically by the shooting schedule rather than the script. Moving a shot within a scene block updates its position. If you drop a partial selection of shots out of a scene, the system will split the scene header to maintain accurate shot groupings. Dragging an entire scene block moves all child shots without altering their script-level sequence.
Sometimes you only need to look at what you are shooting right now. Focus Mode allows you to isolate one or multiple scenes on screen, hiding everything else.
Triggering Focus Mode: Press Cmd + F to open the scene selector dialog.
Select vs Add: In the dialog, typing a scene number and clicking “Select” (or pressing Enter) will replace your current view with only that scene. Clicking “Add” will append the scene to your currently focused list, allowing you to view multiple non-sequential scenes side-by-side.
Navigation: Once in Focus Mode, press Arrow Left or Arrow Right to replace the current focused scene with the previous or next scene. Use Cmd + Arrow Left or Arrow Right to add adjacent scenes to your focus selection without replacing the current one.
To maintain context while shot-listing, you can open the Script Sidebar directly within the Shot List by pressing Shift + S (in linear view). This opens a split-screen view showing your screenplay alongside your shots. As you scroll through the shot list, the script sidebar automatically syncs its scroll position to keep the relevant scene text in view. Note: in Focus Mode, Shift + S opens the scene selector dialog instead.
Selection Mode: Long-press any shot to enter “Selection Mode.” Once active, you can tap to select multiple items. The top app bar will transition into an action menu, allowing you to delete selections or clear your current selection state.
Reordering: In the edit dialogs or specific phone layouts, press and hold the shot card until it lifts up, then drag it to its new location.
Collapsed vs. Expanded Views: To save vertical space, mobile rows default to a Collapsed View showing only key information.
Expanded View: Tap a collapsed shot to expand it and reveal all metadata columns.
Double-Tap to Edit: While in the expanded view, double-tap any specific field to open the full-screen Edit Overlay focused directly on that property, ensuring all dropdowns and text inputs are touch-friendly.
CineLog allows you to attach reference imagery, storyboards, or location scouts directly to individual shots using the Previs column.
Uploading Media: Click the Previs cell (or open the Edit Overlay) to launch the Media Explorer and upload images.
The Carousel: If you upload multiple images to a single shot, they are automatically organized into an interactive Carousel. You can navigate through the images using the on-screen left/right arrows, or by swiping on touch devices.
Aspect Ratios: Different projects have different framing requirements. You can customize the display aspect ratio for your previs thumbnails (e.g., 16:9, 2.35:1, 4:3) in the Display Settings or directly in the Previs overlay to ensure your reference images match your intended camera framing exactly.
You can heavily customize how data is presented using the Display Settings menu (the gear icon).
Shot Number Formats
Define how shot IDs are rendered globally:
Alphanumeric: The raw shot name (e.g., 1A, 2C).
Decimal: The scene and setup number combined (e.g., 1.1, 2.3).
Sequential: A global, 1-based sequential counter representing absolute script order (e.g., 1, 2, 47).
Custom Columns & Ordering
Add entirely new metadata columns specific to your production needs. You can reorder columns by dragging their titles in the Display Settings panel. Any custom column you create will automatically appear as a field in the Mobile Edit Overlay.
Row Heights: You can adjust the row height to fit more information on screen, or expand it for a more relaxed, touch-friendly interface.
Column Visibility: Toggle specific columns on and off. If you don’t need Sound notes for a specific project, hide that column to save screen real estate. You can also press 1 through 9 to quickly toggle the first 9 columns, or use Shift + D to open the Display Settings overlay.
While CineLog is designed as a cloud-synced digital platform, filmmaking still often requires physical documents on set. CineLog features a robust, isolated PDF rendering engine that allows you to export high-quality, print-ready documents.
You can export your entire shot list to a PDF at any time. The format of the export will dynamically change depending on which View you currently have active.
Navigate to the Shot List: Open your shot list and ensure the data you want to export is visible.
Select your View: Toggle between Linear View or Production View in the top menu bar.
Export: Click the “Export PDF” button (printer icon) in the top right corner (or press Cmd + P).
If you export while in Linear View, the PDF will group your shots chronologically by Scene Number. This is the traditional “Script Order” export, ideal for the Director and Script Supervisor to ensure narrative coverage.
If you export while in Production View, the PDF will group your shots by logistical efficiency (e.g., all shots at Location A, regardless of scene order). This export is highly structured and serves as the primary scheduling document for the 1st Assistant Director and Producer.
We use Google Analytics to understand how people use our docs so we can improve them. Analytics cookies are only set after you accept. See our Privacy Notice for details.