Don't Skimp on the Shot List

I once started a short film shoot thinking a general scene breakdown was enough prep for cinematography. The problem? On set, trying to translate amorphous ideas like 'moody' or 'intense' into concrete camera angles and blocking wasted hours, frustrated the crew, and meant we compromised on coverage. What went wrong was believing I could "figure it out on the day" with only a rough shot list. The solution, hard-learned, is to treat the shot list as a sacred document, detailed with specific lens choices, camera movements, and blocking for every single shot. I now pre-visualize and diagram every setup meticulously, even for scenes I think are simple. This allows for clear communication, efficient execution, and maximum creative impact on set. Do you find yourself over-prepping, or is on-the-fly problem-solving still your preferred method?