Automated Shot Tracking in Post: My Experiment with No-Code Tools
Anyone who’s worked with me knows how much I love building trackers for the projects I’m involved in. But let’s face it—when multiple projects are running simultaneously, managing them can become a daunting task.
To tackle this, or try, I’ve been exploring how automation can streamline the process, ensure everyone stays informed, and save valuable time. This year's buzzwords—AI and automation—sparked my curiosity to find a better way. As someone without a coding background, I turned to Zapier to experiment in creating a practical solution.
The Experiment
My aim was straightforward: Automate the creation of a tracker for VFX shots.
Here’s the approach I’ve been testing:
1. Monitor a GDrive folder where editors upload correctly named shots.
2. Use automation to populate a Google Sheet tracker with details like shot name, size specs, editor name, and status. (This info is taken from the file uploaded on the previous GDrive folder)
3. Instant team notifications via email or Slack to keep everyone aligned.
While it’s still a work in progress, seeing the first steps of this automation come to life has been an exciting and motivating experience.
Why This Matters in Post-Production
For me, automation isn’t just about saving time—it’s about making things less stressful and more efficient. In post-production, where deadlines are always tight and multiple teams are juggling priorities, a missed update or outdated tracker can create chaos. Automating tasks like shot tracking helps keep things clear and organised, so we can focus on the creative work instead of getting lost in admin.
What I find exciting about tools like Zapier (there are many more) is how they let someone like me—who doesn’t know how to code—build solutions that actually work. It’s a reminder that you don’t always need complex systems to make a big difference.
And I can’t help but think about where this could go. What if we could expand this kind of automation to asset deliveries, feedback loops, or even version control? There’s so much room to experiment and make workflows smoother.
It’s still early days, at least to me, but this feels like an opportunity to rethink how we handle some of the repetitive stuff in post-production. Small changes like this can add up — and honestly, that’s pretty exciting, right?