Guides / Sequence planning

Plan a short video as a sequence

Turn a broad idea into a set of shots with a clear job.

A useful first sequence answers three questions: what should the viewer understand, what changes during the piece, and what image will make that change visible? Begin with those decisions before adding camera terminology.

Try a process story

The example project follows a cup from a worktable to everyday use. The opening establishes a place, the middle notices an action and a detail, and the ending shows a result. It is a planning exercise, not a ready-to-shoot production plan. Replace each beat with an action that belongs to your own subject.

Give each card one clear task

“Show the workshop” is broad. “A wide view establishes the worktable before the hands enter” is easier to discuss and time. Use the action field for what must be seen, and the audio field for the sound or spoken idea that accompanies it. A title should help you find the shot quickly in the list.

Order is an editorial decision

Use Earlier and Later to change the sequence. Start times are recalculated after every reorder. A captured checkbox tracks progress, but it does not remove a shot from the story or the runtime. The full sequence remains in every export, even when a filter hides some rows.

Once the cards have a purpose, rehearse their timing in the planner. These are text and framing cards, not generated footage.