In
film, a 'sequence' is a series of
scenes which form a distinct narrative unit, usually connected either by
unity of location or
unity of time. For example a
heist film might include an extended recruitment sequence in which the leader of the gang collects together the conspirators, a robbery sequence, an escape sequence, and so on. Each of these sequences might further contain sub-sequences; for example the robbery sequence might consist of an entry sequence, a safe-cracking sequence, and so on.
The sequence is one of a hierarchy of structural units used to describe the structure of films in varying degrees of granularity. Analysed this way, a film is composed of one or more
acts; acts include one or more sequences; sequences comprise one or more scenes; and scenes may be thought of as being built out of
shots (if one is thinking visually) or ''beats'' (if one is thinking in narrative terms).
The sequence paradigm of screenwriting was developed by
Frank Daniel.
See also
★
Act structure (film)
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