ABSTRACT
When you record a shot you will need to take more than you need. You will need to hold the shot at the beginning and the end. This will make things easier when you come to the edit. The bits at the beginning and end are often referred to as a handle or top and tail. When you go to take a shot, after the camera starts running, count to five before you say, ‘action’. At the end of the shot, count to five before you say, ‘cut’. That way you will always have a handle. This is particularly important if there is going to be a move on the shot. It is very difficult to cut into a moving shot. You need to hold the camera steady for five seconds before starting any move and leave the camera steady at the end of the move. You won’t use all these bits but you will need some of them.
