Shot Sequence

To get professional looking video, learn to use the three basic shots that make up the typical video sequence.

A -- Start with an master or establishing shot. This is a wide shot of the scene where the action takes place.This will show your viewers where they are, and who is involved in the scene.

B -- Cut to a medium shot. This serves as a transition between the establishing shot and the closeup. Attention is drawn more closely to the subject. Background details become less important.

C -- Cut to a close-up, abbreviated "CU". The preceding shots have paved the way for this most proximate view of your subject. Close-ups provide the kind of intimacy we enjoy in being involved in a real life event.

Notice that each of these views qualifies as a "CU" (close-up), relative to the wide or master shot in A.

For an interesting variation of wide-medium-CU sequence discussed above, one that is especially useful in creating suspense or surprise, begin with the close-up, then cut to the medium or wide shot, abruptly revealing the whereabouts of the subject.

Rules, once you learn them and understand why they have been developed, are made to be broken!

Revised 2/10/13