Coverage will save you if you don't get any close ups or cutaways.

We made some great short films this summer at movie camp and because it is almost over I wanted to say something about how we teach shots. There are so many different types of shots that we can't name let alone practice in 10 days so I only teach 3 broad categories. Coverage, Close ups and Cutaways.

The campers don't always get their close ups and cutaways but because I ask them to shoot coverage first, we can always get the story told.

Also, with NLE video systems these days,, we can often cheat the close ups and cutaways with panning and cropping tools.

Leading the way through technology! These films are much better than my first efforts.