The sequence shot

Sequence plan: how is it composed?

History of the sequence shot

Before looking at the sequence shot and its place in today’s cinema, let’s stop time for a moment to see where its origins lie.

In fact, the sequence shot has been around for much longer than we think. In fact, the first short films in the history of cinema were sequence shots in their entirety. Video technology was not perfected at the time, so cameras were fixed and locations were unique. These early films were called “views” before later being referred to as sequence shots. More sophisticated film sequences really came into their own with the creation of digital video sound and the development of much larger reels.

One shot or several?

So what does a film sequence consist of? How do you describe it and, above all, how do you recognise it on screen? A film sequence is, quite simply, a set of shots, of which there are a number:

• medium shot
• wide shot
• close-up,
• American shot
• or general shot.

This is its main characteristic. As a reminder, a shot begins when the camera is moving, starts filming and ends when the camera cuts. In the sequence shot, these shots are filmed without interruption or editing. A sequence shot therefore has no breaks and is characterised by its continuous action. The viewer can follow the action from beginning to end without stopping.

Film sequence and location

In a sequence shot, the main actor moves: he is in motion. So what about the plot in spatial terms? In a sequence shot film, the location remains the same from the first second to the last. This location is therefore unique and stable, even if the characters can move around freely. This single location in the sequence shot will then show several places (for example a house and its different rooms). Infinite possibilities can define a sequence shot film. Several locations can be present in a sequence shot if and only if they are connected to each other.

Sequence shot and camera

Let’s look at the precise role of the camera in a sequence shot. The camera is rarely stationary; on the contrary, it must film continuously to give the action fluidity. Using dolly movements, panoramic or close-up shots, the camera films different points of view of the same location. Everything is based on a logical sequence of action that is constantly changing.

This concept of the sequence shot was made all the easier by the invention, in 1976, of another technique that facilitated the development of the sequence shot: the steadicam. These attachments allow the camera to be fixed and an actor to be followed closely, creating a unique sequence shot.

Sequence shot film: variations and advantages

Sequence shot in the film “1917

In 2019, a much talked-about film will be hitting the big screen. Its title is “1917”. This astonishing feature film was directed by Sam Mendes. This cinematic masterpiece won two Golden Globes. In fact, this war film is no less than an exception in the field of cinema, as it is a sequence shot that lasts… 2 hours! A real feat. This film sequence is the longest in history and has left a lasting impression. During these 120 uninterrupted minutes, the director recounts the daily life in the trenches during the First World War. Needless to say, the sequence shot was widely reused after the release of this talented film.

The staging of the sequence shot

How do the elements follow one another on screen to allow the sequence shot to take shape? A sequence shot is nothing more than a strong immersion in the world of the film or the actors. The aim is to create perfect realism through non-stop action. This whole process helps to keep the viewer’s attention, as they are integrated into the sequence shot and privileged by the proximity of the characters.

Clip sequence shot and rhythm

A sequence shot is often filmed in the same location. To make it interesting, the director adds a rhythm. This may be accelerated dialogue or dancing. The sequence shot is exactly what we see in music videos.

In a sequence shot film, this rhythm can be increased by demonstrating the adventures of a hero. It’s a bit like telling a story in a very realistic way. All this arouses the curiosity of the viewer.

Sequence shot and time

Finally, the length of a sequence shot varies from a few seconds to a maximum of twelve minutes. The latter is the maximum time that a reel can record. Viewing a sequence shot is therefore a moving frame that moves within a scene, a timeless but realistic part that links the actors and viewers of the film.

Consequently, the sequence shot has very specific characteristics. Since its creation, this type of process has been increasingly used in the world of cinema. To create a sequence shot is above all to play on the staging and positioning of the camera.

These days, directors such as Orson Welles, Alfred Hitchcock and Brian De Palma, to name but a few, like to use the sequence shot to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The film sequence is now a key element in scriptwriting, to ensure that the action in short films is as realistic as possible. The ultimate aim of any sequence shot is to immerse the viewer in the world of the short film.

Famous sequence shots

1917 sequence shot

“1917” is a war film released in 2019 and directed by Sam Mendes (Skyfall). The director chose to shoot the entire film using long sequence shots to immerse the viewer in the action, to become one with the actors and to experience the scene in real time.

Longest sequence shot

The record for the longest sequence shot is that of the film Victoria directed by Sebastian Schipper (released in cinemas in 2015): shot in a single take, the sequence shot lasts more than 1 hour and a half (134 minutes to be exact)!