Shot sequence

The key to filmmaking, is learning how to shoot a variety of shots, angles and movements for the purposes of editing them into a sequence, in order to tell a story and convey emotion.

A well-known and well used sequence is:

  1. Close Up (CU) (Also known as a Tight Shot) Introduces close action

  2. Mid Shot (MS) Introduces character(s) performing the action

  3. Long Shot (LS) Shows full body action in relation to surroundings

  4. Extreme Close Up (ECU) Shows emotional reactions

  5. Extreme Long Shot (ELS) Shows the unresolved tension in location highlighting isolation

Show your students these tutorials on what goes into shooting a good sequence.  

Simple 5 Shot Sequence: https://youtu.be/5g_ArBSIunA

Shooting Sequences for the edit: https://youtu.be/gJm5wtscceg

Exercise: Shot Sequence

Practice shooting this sequence with the camera team, using scenes from your chosen script. You will need some actors to help you out too. This can be very rough while you learn.                                

Use the example from Lunchbox by Justene Musin with the following shots:

  • Close up (CU) on lunch box being removed from bag and opened

  • Mid Shot (MS) on Ezra taking food out of lunch box – excited to eat the food

  • Long Shot (LS) Toby walks into shot menacingly

  • Extreme Close Up (ECU) Ezra a little bit concerned looking up at Toby

  • Extreme Long Shot (ELS) Toby stands over Ezra menacingly, and Ezra feeling isolated