THE 5 SHOT RULE

Using the 5 shot rule can help to ensure coverage. 

 Getting enough of these shots allows you to tell the who, what, where and how of the scene, with you filling in the why with voiceover.

• This is your b-roll- 
• - cutaways
• - cover

1. Closeup of the hands, (especially if the person is doing something)
• Otherwise, there might be other closeups that will create an eyeline for the subject- 
• what are they looking at? A picture they are holding in their hands? or on the wall? Piano keys? etc
• this helps you enter that persons POV
• several shots
• different angles
2. closeup of the face, 
• constructing an eyeline 
• between what the person is looking at 
• and their own eyes 
3. wideshot,  (for coverage of the space- 
• Pay attention to the edges of your frame- are they informative?
• make the scale appropriate
• Sometimes a slow pan is good for this
• Always get a few of these
4. over the shoulder 
• down at their hands, or what they are reading or doing
5.  ALTERNATIVE SHOTS- many many- 

If you follow this rule when shooting on location, you will be sure to have a number of different shots that cut together well. This is especially for shooting any kind of action.

1. Close of on the hands. 
2. Close up of the face. 
3. A wide shot. 
4. An over-the-shoulder shot. 
5. Another shot from somewhere else in the room.

Here is a printable checklist