Coverage
The variety of camera angles and shots captured to provide editing options for a scene.
Definition
Coverage refers to the collection of different shots captured during filming that give the editor options for assembling a scene. Standard coverage includes master shots, medium shots, close-ups, and reaction shots from multiple angles.
Adequate coverage ensures the editor has the material needed to construct a coherent, dynamic scene without continuity issues.
Why It Matters
Insufficient coverage can doom a scene in post-production, leaving editors with no options to fix pacing problems or performances. Experienced directors balance getting enough coverage with the time constraints of production.
Over-coverage wastes time and resources; under-coverage creates unsolvable editing problems.
Examples in Practice
A director shoots a dialogue scene with a wide master, two medium shots (one per actor), and close-ups of each character, plus insert shots of a phone and doorway.
An editor pieces together the scene using the master for establishing, cutting to close-ups during emotional moments, and using reaction shots to pace the dialogue.
A scene runs long in the edit until the editor finds a cutaway shot that allows removing thirty seconds while maintaining continuity.