The five shot rule

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This very simple piece illustrates the use of sequential shooting in DV film making. Sequences are the fundamental building blocks of any good bit of telly.

A sequence generally consists of close up on the hands, close up on the face, a wide shot, an over the shoulder shot, and then another shot from a different angle. Be creative… side shot, low shot, something from on high, up to you.

We shoot sequentially because these shots always cut together. If you film in sequences you will get useable material every time it is important to shoot the 5 shots in the order given… Why? Because close up on the hands, close up on the face and the wide will always cut together and cut together cleanly, whereas your other angle or the over the shoulder may not be nearly so useful.