Master Shot
A master shot covers a scene from beginning to end in one framing, usually wide enough to hold all the action.
What this is about
Classic scene work starts with the master: play the whole scene wide, then move in for closer angles. The master defines the geography and the continuity reference — where the cups stood, when someone rose — so every later angle has something to match. Editors use it as the escape hatch when closer material fails. Shooting the master last instead is a style choice that keeps performances fresh, but it costs the continuity anchor.
A term only helps when everyone on set means the same thing by it — so what follows is how it is used, not a dictionary definition.
What runs differently here
In planning terms, that means:
- Master and wide shot overlap but differ: the master is defined by duration, the wide by size.
- Long single-take scene styles turn the master into the film itself; then it needs choreography, not coverage.
- The script supervisor logs continuity against the master's version of events.
With TillyGen
Coverage suggestions in TillyGen start from a master per scene; you decide where breaking that rule is worth it.
Change one constraint and the consequences travel through the whole plan: affected shots are flagged, the call sheet is regenerated, and nobody keeps working from yesterday's version.
Frequently asked
Do I need a master for every scene?
No, but skipping it is a bet: it saves setup time and costs the safety net. Directors skip masters when the cut is fully designed in advance.
How long does it take to get started with TillyGen?
A first project takes under an hour to set up. There is no configuration phase in which templates and fields have to be defined before the tool produces anything.
Can the results be exported?
Yes — as PDF for the crew, CSV for downstream systems and through the API for anything automated. The plan stays the source; the exports are views of it.