Shots in Scenes Out of Order

A film or video is not only shot out of sequence but the shots within each scene are generally not taken in story order.

To Save Time

This happens for a number of reasons, all to do with wasting as little time, and consequently money, as possible.

• Usually only one camera is used and it has to be moved when different angles are shot.
• It is far more efficient to take all the shots from one particular area, whether they are from the beginning, middle or end of the sequence.
• The camera does not have to be moved around too much between shots and the lighting needs minimum adjustment until a major re-light is required for a totally different angle.
• Props do not have to be constantly reset to keep them out of the way of the camera, the lights and the vast army of people hiding behind the camera.

Part of a Set

This set has been lit and the camera set up to take shots from one angle. Much time will be saved by taking all the shots needed from this area at the same time, irrespective of where they occur in the scene, rather than moving the equipment and lights from one side of the set to the other for each shot.