I like this video by Jeven Dovey, and want to share it. It’s quite simple. You need to capture a fixed set of shots for most projects. The basic premise here is that you need two each of establishing, wide, medium, and close-up shots. And then he also recommends a unique perspective shot.
Wide, medium, and close-up shots are fairly self-explanatory. If you don’t know, an establishing shot is conceptually a shot that defines the environment where the scene takes place. It’s typically a wide shot, but it can be a panning shot. It depends on the environment.
I think the unique perspective shots can be used as bridging of cutaway shots to cover breaks in continuity. Watching the video, I think that’s what he is suggesting.
I have used an approach kind of like this for a while. Even when I’m shooting stills rather than video, I still do this. It’s a good way to get organized and have a clear vision of what you are doing. I think if you wanted to do three of each shot rather than two that would be fine, but what’s important is to keep track and to be aware of what shots you have covered and which you don’t.
I hope you find the video illuminating, and I'm sure Mr. Dovey would appreciate it if you tapped the like button.
Sam