Shot Sequences

GHS Video ProductionsLecture Prior to Activity

What is a Shot Sequence?

What is a Shot Sequence?  A shot sequence is the order and types of shots

used to tell a video story.

What is a Shot Sequence?  A shot sequence is the order and types of shots

used to tell a video story.

  That order creates the flow of a video production and should be smooth, logical, and not confusing to the viewer.

What is a Shot Sequence?  A shot sequence is the order and types of shots

used to tell a video story.

  That order creates the flow of a video production and should be smooth, logical, and not confusing to the viewer.

  In other words, the video production must have

continuity.

Types of Shots in a Sequence  A basic sequence generally begins with a wide-angle

or establishing shot.

  The shots that follow the establishing shot are the medium and close-ups.

APPLYING SHOTS IN A BASIC SEQUENCE

Creating a Shot Sequence  Think of it as your mind.

  You use your eyes to scan over a location as you enter it.

  You then focus in on smaller details.

  As people talk or action happens, your eyes dart around to see what’s going on.

The 30 - 3 Rule  Producers follow a basic rule of thumb:

  No shot should last longer than 30 seconds, while no scene should last longer than 3 minutes.

Shot Sequence: To Sum It Up  It is a series of shots that are linked together to tell a

story. A variety of shots, not one long shot creates interest for the audience.

Specialty Shots  Two other shots that are useful in a shot sequence are

the cut-away and cut-in.

What’s a Cut Shot?

  A Cut-In is the insertion of a close-up shot that is occurring in the scene that you’re currently watching.

  A Cut-Away is the insertion of a shot that is occurring somewhere other than the current scene.

Image Sizes and Camera Angles

Each new shot, when possible, should show a change in the size of the image and the camera angle.

Problems Students Have with Shot Sequences:

  Jump Cuts: The jump cut produces a picture that seems to be a double exposure for a fraction of a second or makes the subject seem to bounce up or down/side to side slightly.

  This phenomena occurs when you do not move the camera at least 45° or change the image size enough.

Jump Cut Example 1

Continuity and Smooth Flow…

Cutting on the Action

  This technique uses the natural ability of the viewer’s eyes to follow action. If a movement starts in one shot and finishes in the next, the audience will follow the movement and tie the two shots together.

Cutting On The Action Example 1

https://youtu.be/XVZkAg8Nwqg

Cutting On The Action Example 2

Remember…  Almost any kind of movement can be used for cutting

on the action:

kicking a ball,

sitting down in a chair,

opening a car door,

walking around a corner,

taking a hat off, etc.

Entering and Exiting a Scene Cleanly

  Clean entrances and exits prevent the character from popping in or out of a shot suddenly.

  The camera will show the scene prior to the character entering and/or may show the scene for a brief time after the character has left.

  This allows viewers to believe the scene change when they see the character(s) in another place later on.

Clean Entrance and ExitsPossible ways/reasons to use them:

  Going to a different location,

  Arriving at someone’s house,

  Entering or exiting a room,

  etc.

The Rule of 180° or Line of Action

  Locate the path of action in the scene.

  Keep the camera(s) on one side of that line of action to prevent your characters from reversing their direction on the screen.

  Breaking the Rule of 180° will break the continuity and create confusion in the mind of your audience.

The Rule of 180° or Line of Action

Debrief  Any Questions?

  Quiz Review

  Assignment:  Editing, Sequences, Titles, & Transitions (group)