Here is a simple example of video sequencing and the six-shot system:
As you can see, this is one subject doing something that is repetitive. The six-shot system allows you to tell a simple, short story with a variety of shots.
Now, let's take this concept to the next level.
In this next story, the student used sequencing to connect together different characters to make it appear that there were multiple cameras filming at the same time. Check it out:
There are several sequences here that act as little short stories within the scope of a bigger story.
Let's break down one:
The sequence starts with this student looking to the left and slightly behind her. It poses a question: Who is she looking at? The next shot answers.
This student turns his head to look to his right. Whether or not they were actually talking to each other is really irrelevant. That is the power of editing. Who is he talking to?
It appears that he is talking to these students.
The next shot is this student again answering a question. He has a great expression on his face. He is talking to...
...the moderator. She turns back to the student from the previous shot and tells him "I can't accept that answer." This completes a simple five-shot sequence where we have multiple characters appearing to interact with each other.
This looks simple, but it is complex editing. It takes a plan both in shooting and editing to make it happen. It doesn't happen by mistake.
If you want to take your editing to the next level, think ahead next time to how you can film and sequence shots to tell short stories within the context of a full video package.
