The 6-Shot System

What is it?

The 6-Shot System is a way of deciding what to take a shot of when creating a video. Having these shots can really help viewers know what is happening in a video, and what your subject is doing. Without these, the video might be somewhat vague, and will be lacking in story.

Types of shots used

The 6 different shots you want you use are: close up of the hands, close up of the face, a medium shot, a wide shot, an over the shoulder shot, and an extra wide.They do not need to be shown in this order. Each of these will be explained below with a picture to provide and example.

Close up of the hands

A close up of the hands is used to show detail in what your subject is working on. What tools are they using? How do they use them? These questions are typically answered with a close up of the hands.

Medium shot

A medium shot can be used to show the subject, and their project. While other shots are good for just showing the subject, or just their work, this one is good for bringing everything together in an understandable way. This shot should be taken from the hips up.

Wide shot 

Wide shots are used to show the subject from head to toe. They show who the subject is, and a little bit of what they're working on.

Over the shoulder 

And over the shoulder shot is not intended to really show how the subject looks, but the subject's head and shoulder should frame the photo, as shown above. This can be used to see what they're working on with a view over their shoulder as if you were standing right behind them.

Extreme wide shot 

An extreme wide shot should give a view of the subjects working environment! The subject can still be seen, but they're not the main part of this shot. Everything around them is the main part! Sometimes you can see other people working in this shot as well.

Close up of the face 

A close up of the face is used to show the emotion of your subject. How do they feel about what they'r working on? What are their thoughts. In this picture, my subject looked like she was thinking, but not wracking her brain trying to figure something out.

Now what?

Now that you know the 6 different shots typically used in making videos, it could be easy to make a video of your own now. Be creative! Keep in mind that you don't have to use these in any particular order.