Introduction
Estimated time to complete: 60 Minutes
Use this classroom presentation: IN-CAMERA EDIT: Shooting Sequences SLIDES
WHAT IS A SEQUENCE? A sequence is a series of shots of an action or scene. A classic action sequence consists of a combination of at least three shots of an action in sequential order.
COMMONLY USED SHOTS IN A SEQUENCE:
- ELS: Extreme Long Shot, commonly used as an establishing shot.
- LS/WS: Long Shot/Wide Shot of the person or location. Full body.
- MS: Medium Shot. Half body, normally from the waist up.
- CU: Close Up of the face including neck and shoulders in the shot. Also used for objects.
- ECU: Extreme Close Up shows parts of a person or object in detail.
- OTS: Over-the-Shoulder, shows a person’s back of head and shoulder looking at someone or something.
- Creative shots such as low/high angles, dollies, POVs (point-of-views), rack focus, etc.
TYPES OF SEQUENCES (more visual examples found in the presentation)
- Step-by-step action
- Shots capturing an intimate moment
- Shots sweeping the big and small details of a larger scene space
Example: Capturing an intimate moment - College essay.

Notice that the combination of shots does not follow a specific order. Choosing angles should be intentional and help the story move forward.
WHAT IS A SHOT LIST? A shot list is a document with the details of each shot of the scene or action sequence you plan to record. It contains the Shot Number, Composition/Angle, and Description.