Sequence (filmmaking)

A sequence is a term used in film technology and describes a group of successive settings that are graphic, spatial, temporal, thematic, scenic or aspects of the constellation of persons belonging to each other and documented by a self-contained cinematic section of a phase in the development of the narrative. A sequence is distinguished from neighboring sequences usually by switching to low beam, establishing shots or musical markings, and is closely related to the scene.

A clear definition of the sequence can be found only with difficulty. According to Bordwell, the units are not absolute but relative to look at place, time and action structure of a film. In a film with a plot period of a few minutes and with only a few changes of location were similar to many sequences make up like in a movie with a plot of several years and many changes of location. Delimiter signals such as transitions alone are not sufficient for a sequential structure, because they themselves separate mere settings. The unity of place, time, action, and character constellation must be determined in each individual case. In Rosenthal can be personalized with the consistency of a central idea, a specific place or act a certain mood find other ways of film- theoretical structure in sequences.

For the definitions of the term sequence in particular the relationship to the scene to be clarified. In the early scene called an action scene in a setting. Only through use of film editing is differentiated, the terms setting, scene and sequence. In contrast to the sequence, the scene represents a section of film whose plot fragments exclusively temporally or spatially form a unit and are usually implemented as a result of settings. Thus, the scene is also a sequence, but contains no temporal omissions. The terms also can be assigned to different structures: During the scene belongs to the plot structure, the sequence of cinematographic structure is associated.