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What is this activity?
In this exercise, you will film a very simple scene:
A character is walking, notices their shoelace is untied, shows frustration, kneels down, ties it, then continues walking.
The purpose of this task is to help you practise Technical codes (SCALE) in a real filming situation, especially:
-Shot Types -Camera Planning -Continuity Editing
This is not about telling a complex story. It is about learning how films are constructed visually and edited smoothly. To do this, we wil use three key concepts.
Concept 1: Shot Types
This section is purely film language.
Establishing Shot
Shows where the scene is taking place.
Usually a wide or long shot.
It helps the audience understand the setting.
Shot Sizes (closeness of camera to subject):
Long shot – subject and environment
Medium shot – subject from waist up
Close-up – emotion or detail
Extreme close-up – specific feature
Even a simple scene needs multiple shot sizes to be clear and engaging.
Concept 2: Production
This is how a film set works.
Calling "Action"
On a film set, the director controls when filming starts and stops.
Typical process
Quiet on set
Camera rolling
Sound rolling
Action
Cut
This ensures everyone knows exactly when the performance begins.
Marks
Show actors where to stand or move to.
Usually small pieces of tape on the floor.
Help keep performances consistent
Maintain framing
Make editing easier
Marks should never be visible in the shot.
Concept 3: Editing
This is the core learning of this task.
Coverage
Filming the same action from multiple angles and shot sizes.
Gives you more options when editing.
Good coverage
Record a few seconds before action
Record a few seconds after cut
Repeat the action carefully each time
Continuity Editing (Matching on Action)
This means cutting between shots so the action looks smooth.
Example
Shot 1: character starts kneeling
Shot 2: character finishes kneeling from another angle
If the movement matches, the cut feels invisible.
This allows filmmakers to:
Change angles
Change shot sizes
Without zooming or moving the camera
This is one of the most important editing skills in film.
The Shoe Storyboards
Now back to your scene:
A character is walking, notices their shoelace is untied, shows frustration, kneels down, ties it, then continues walking.
Below, you will see shot types and notes. Use them to create your scene.
Shot 1 ELS (Extreme Long Shot)
Establishing shots are important for setting up a scene. They are used at the beginning to show the audience where and when the action is happening. They also help show when the story moves to a new time or place. Establishing shots are the glue that holds a narrative together, so use them regularly. Shoot a 5–10 second ELS or LS of a location to give a clear sense of place. Even though you may not use all 10 seconds, it’s better to film more just in case, and you can use more than one if needed.
Shot 2 FS (Full Shot)
This is your master shot which shows all the action in a scene. When you film other shots (like close-ups), the actors must match their actions from the master shot. This helps you edit the scene smoothly later. In this shot, the character walks into frame, notices their untied shoelace, sighs in frustration, kneels to tie it, stands up, and walks out of frame.
Shot 3 CU (Close-Up)
This close-up shows the character’s frustration. It’s important to match the performance exactly with the master shot. In this shot, the character walks towards the camera, stops in close-up, looks down at their shoe for 1–2 seconds, sighs in frustration, then kneels out of frame. It helps to place a mark on the floor so the actor knows where to stop and the action matches the previous shot.
Shot 4 FS
This shot is a POV (point of view) showing the untied shoes. Instead of a tripod, the actor should hold the camera and point it down at their shoes. Filming from another angle won’t look like a POV shot. Keep the camera steady and record for at least 5 seconds so you have enough footage for a good insert.
Shot 5 FS
In this shot, the actor starts standing, then on “action” kneels down and ties their shoelace, before standing up again. To film this, place the camera low to the ground by lowering the tripod or putting the camera on the ground. This shot should clearly show the action for the audience.
Shot 6 FS
This shot shows the shoe being tied from a different angle. The actor starts standing, then on “action” kneels, ties their shoelace, and stands again. When editing, cut from Shot 5 to Shot 6 at the moment the first knot is tied. Matching the action like this creates a smooth transition, and the audience won’t notice the change in angle or shot size.
Shot 7 FS
In this final pick-up, we film a close-up of the actor concentrating while tying their shoe. Even in a simple film, it’s important to connect the audience to the character, and close-ups of facial expressions help do this. Film the whole action: the actor starts standing, kneels to tie their shoe, then stands again. As they stand, cut back to the original master shot.
Shot 8 FS
The final shot is the end of your master shot. It starts as the character stands up, matching the previous shot, then they walk out of frame. Make sure you film a few extra seconds so you can fade to black!
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