Sequence (filmmaking)

{{Short description|Series of scenes forming a unit in a film}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Definition of Sequence and Scene in Screenwriting |url=https://screenwritingscience.com/sequence-and-scene-definition |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=ScreenWriting Science |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Sequence shots in film and how to use them - Adobe |url=https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/video/hub/guides/guide-to-sequence-shots-in-film.html |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=www.adobe.com}}

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.

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).{{Cn|date=July 2024}}

The sequence paradigm or the "8 sequence structure" of screenwriting was developed by Frank Daniel.{{Cite web |title=Whats On {{!}} Sessions {{!}} 8 Sequence Structure The Screenwriters Ultimate Weapon {{!}} London Screenwriters' Festival |url=https://www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/whats-on/sessions/8-sequence-structure-the-screenwriters-ultimate-weapon |access-date=2024-09-20 |language=en-US}} In 2004, his protege Paul Gulino, published a book about this paradigm called, “Screenwriting: The Sequence Approach”.{{Cite web |last=Brislee |first=Jack |date=2010-02-19 |title=The Sequence Approach |url=https://www.thestorydepartment.com/the-sequence-approach/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=The Story Department |language=en-US}}