Sequence (filmmaking)
In film, a sequence is a scene or a series of scenes that form a distinct narrative unit to advance the narrative, usually connected either by a unity of location or a unity of time.[1] Each of these sequences might further contain sub-sequences. It is also known by the French term, "plan séquence". Sequence shots give the editor plenty of shots to tell a story and keep audiences' attention.[2]
Sequencing refers to what one shoots, with the five most common shots used being: close-ups, wide angle, medium, over the shoulder, and point of view shots. Sequencing keeps viewer interest while maintaining a consistent story. The five most common shots are used to build a framework of where to place the characters or action.[2]
The sequence is one of a hierarchy of structural units used to describe the structure of films in varying degrees of granularity. Analyzed this way, a film is composed of one or more acts; acts include one or more sequences; sequences are divided into one or more scenes; and scenes may be thought of as being built out of shots (if one is thinking visually) or beats (if one is thinking in narrative terms).Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
The sequence paradigm or the "8 sequence structure" of screenwriting was developed by Frank Daniel.[3] In 2004, his protege Paul Gulino, published a book about this paradigm called, “Screenwriting: The Sequence Approach”.[4]