Sequential video
Poynter provides this article on how shooting and editing video sequences can improve your stories. Sequences provide story continuity and allow you to tell the story in less time. They also separate the amateur-looking stories from those with professional polish.
As you can see, actions need to be shot repeatedly. This is not difficult if you are shooting a non-journalistic movie because you can have the subject repeat what they're doing until you get all your shots. However, as journalists, we're not to "stage" our footage. That means we should be directing our subjects as to what to do. We can ask subjects to show us what they would normally do, but rather than asking them to repeat specific motions, we have to be able to shoot sequences "on the fly," without staging. Often this means "shooting and moving" in order to get a variety of tight, medium, and wide shots.
Here's an example of shooting repetitive action as it happens (as well as further instruction regarding not crossing the axis):
You may be thinking, do I start with a wide shot or a tight shot? Do I use a 2-shot or 3-shot sequence? This multimedia journalists shows you how to build a sequence and when to have subjects enter or exit the frame.
Using the 5-shot checklist we gave you in class last time, you are prepared to shoot five-shot sequences.
These typically consist of a tight shot (for example, of hands), medium shot, close up (for example, of the face), a medium over-the-shoulder shot, and either an interview or shot from an unusual angle. However, there are a number of ways to do this. Whether you use five shots or three shots, here are some ideas for building creative sequences, such as time lapses and weaves.
As you can see, there are many ways to construct sequences. As you learn you might start with two or three-shot sequences. But, as you grow more confident you can become more creative in how you tell stories, as these seasoned, NPPA-trained shooters tell us: