Cinematography: One Shot Exercise
"It's time to take a shot".
- Lin Manuel Miranda
The One Shot Exercise aims to investigate how much a single shot can communicate to the audience.
This is a flexible exercise that works well at two key moments in the course:
– As a starting point, during the first cycle, to introduce the basics of mise-en-scène, composition, and proxemics.
– As a closing task, in Year 2, to revisit foundational skills with greater depth and intention.
Before diving into more complex combinations of film language, this activity encourages students to think carefully about visual storytelling. They must pay attention to every element in the frame and make deliberate choices about what stays and what distracts. This attention to detail is a fundamental skill across all aspects of filmmaking.
You can also revisit this task as a final short exercise in Year 2. Since students have already done it in their first cycle, it serves as a powerful marker of growth. To increase the challenge, you can introduce optional advanced constraints, such as:
- Add a second character briefly entering the frame
- Tell a complete micro-narrative with a beginning, middle, and end, all in one shot
- Make audio the central focus. What if the sound drives the emotion or meaning?
Purpose
The One Shot Exercise explores how much meaning a single, static shot can communicate. While it can take time to become invested in a full story, we only need a few seconds to read an image. The first time a character appears on screen, we may not know what the plot is, but we already begin to understand who they are, where they are, and what they might be feeling.
This task asks you to create a shot that could serve as the opening image of a film or the first time we meet a character. Think of it as a visual introduction. What do you want the audience to know or feel about your character? What kind of person are they? What emotions or inner conflict are visible without a single word being spoken?
All of this must be communicated through a single static shot. You are not allowed to pan, tilt, or track the camera. However, you can have movement within the frame. You may include sound, but no dialogue. Focus on composition, proxemics and everything else in the frame.
You can use any camera you have access to, including a smartphone. Use a tripod if possible. If not, find another way to keep the frame steady. This is your opportunity to practice visual storytelling. It is one of the most essential skills in filmmaking. Treat the frame like a painter’s canvas. Everything in it should help reveal the story.
Process
Imagine a character.
Decide what you want to say about this person.
Find a space that will help you show that.
Imagine how your character should behave to make your idea clear.
Decided on important props to include in the scene.
Decide on what costume your character should be wearing.
Decide on what lighting will add to the scene.
Decide how you can create a color palette using light, props, costumes, etc.
Does your idea require other characters to interact with your main character?
The Rules
- Only one shot: Your film is a single static shot (no panning, tilting, or tracking).
- Sound allowed, but no dialogue. Focus on ambient sound, foley, or atmosphere.
- All storytelling happens in the frame: Movement within the frame is allowed (not camera movement).
- Shoot on any device: Smartphones, DSLRs, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema... as long as it stays still.
- Use a tripod, or get creative to keep your frame locked.
- Max duration: Up to 90 seconds.
Marking Criteria
| Criteria | Excellent (7–8) | Good (5–6) | Satisfactory (3–4) | Basic (1–2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Storytelling | Shot clearly communicates character and emotion without dialogue. Audience fully understands the scene's meaning. | Clear attempt to show character and emotion, though some details may be vague. | Some storytelling is present, but the meaning or emotion is hard to follow. | Little or no clear storytelling. Meaning is confusing or absent. |
| Composition & Framing | Excellent use of space, framing, and mise-en-scène. Every visual choice feels intentional. | Good composition, though some framing choices could be stronger. | Composition shows effort but lacks visual clarity or balance. | Poor composition with distracting elements or weak use of frame. |
| Creativity & Concept | Unique, imaginative idea that stands out. Creative use of props, location, and action. | Original idea with some creative touches. | Idea feels familiar or underdeveloped. Some creative elements present. | Lacks originality. Concept is unclear or underdeveloped. |
| Technical Execution | Technically strong: sharp focus, stable shot, clear sound, effective lighting. | Minor technical flaws but nothing that distracts from the story. | Noticeable technical issues, but video is still viewable. | Major technical problems (e.g., shaky, poorly lit, out of focus). |
Samples
You can find other samples here. This Vimeo showcase will be updated yearly with new samples.
Last update: July 2025.