What belongs in a good film production schedule?

A professional shooting schedule includes scene numbers, shot descriptions, locations, required cast, equipment needs, an estimated duration for each setup, breaks and buffer time. For exterior shoots, it should also account for sunrise and sunset. With Sessionplan.de, you can create each of these as a block on a visual timeline, for free and without registration.

How much time does one scene take to film?

A rough rule of thumb is that three to five minutes of finished footage can require a full shooting day. Allow 30–60 minutes per setup, including preparation. Complex scenes with many takes can take several hours. Always plan generously rather than building a schedule that leaves no room for reality.

How do I create a realistic shooting schedule?

Start with a scene list, estimate setup times conservatively, group scenes by location and cast, and add around 20% buffer time. Consider time of day, weather and team fatigue. It is better to plan one fewer take than to create unnecessary stress. With Sessionplan.de, you can build the schedule in your browser, move scenes, adjust timings and inform the team with a link. Related resources: run-of-show planning · podcast planning · festival timetable

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Create your film production schedule – free and production-ready

Organize scenes, takes, locations and crew assignments on an interactive timeline. A free shooting schedule planner for film and video productions with drag and drop and no sign-up.

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Create a free film production schedule – why use this tool?

Professional film and video production needs a carefully planned shooting schedule. Sessionplan.de was built to help filmmakers organize every part of a production day:

Visual timeline
Structure your shooting day clearly on an interactive timeline
Drag and drop
Move scenes and takes with a click and let the timings update automatically
No sign-up required
Start immediately and keep your production schedules local in your browser
Share via link
Export and share your shooting schedule easily with the team, cast and crew

Features for your film production

Flexible shooting schedule elements

Use predefined categories or create your own production-specific types:

Scenes and takes – Organize every shot by time and location
Equipment setup – Allow enough time to set up lighting, camera and sound
Breaks and catering – Keep your team going with scheduled breaks
Location changes – Account for travel time between shooting locations
Interviews and sound bites – Schedule conversation time with contributors
B-roll and inserts – Make sure additional footage is not forgotten

Timing and resources

Automatic time calculation – See immediately when the shooting day will end
Realistic scheduling – Avoid stress caused by overly tight plans
Plan buffer time – Leave room for the unexpected

Call sheets and communication

Share your shooting schedule with the entire team. Everyone knows when and where they need to be and what is being filmed. It is useful for call sheets and pre-production meetings alike. If you need a minute-by-minute show schedule for live acts or award shows, the run-of-show planner is the right companion tool.

Export and sharing

Share via link – Send your complete shooting schedule as one shareable link
JSON export and import – Back up schedules locally or reuse them as templates

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Frequently asked questions

Create your film production schedule for free

Create your first professional shooting schedule in just a few minutes. Add scenes, organize them with drag and drop, and share the plan with your team.

Free forever. No account required.