The Importance of the Five Shot Rule

Sequential shooting is the fundamental building blocks of story telling. The five shots you need in sequential shooting are : 

• Close up of the hands
• Close up on the face
• A wide shot
• Over the shoulder shot
• Another shot from a different angle

You shoot in a sequentially because these shots always cut together. if you film in sequences you will get useable material all every-time. It is important to shoot the five shots in order given as the first three shots will always cut together and cut cleanly.

Further Reading 

McAdams, M. (2008). Five Shots, 10 Seconds. Available: http://www.jou.ufl.edu/faculty/mmcadams/video/five_shot.html. Last accessed 7th Oct 2014.