On a technical level, shooting a film requires recording the footage using the camera once the director shouts the word "Action!" This is the actor's cue to start acting for the shot. However, it is essential for the camera operator to press the "Record" button slightly earlier than the actual start of the actor's scene. This ensures that the camera is able to record the scene without losing or missing some parts of the actor's initial performance. Usually, the camera advances the recording process about 3 to 5 seconds before the actual start of the scene. Meanwhile, ending a particular shot also requires the same time allowance before the director says the word "Cut!" and the camera operator presses the "Stop" button.
On thematic and emotional levels, the film's pacing greatly affects its storytelling impact. When establishing characters, their emotions and the type of scene they are involved in, how they move within the camera frame and how they interact with other characters are crucial in telling the story. The camera's stillness or movement also contributes much to the video footage's timing and pacing. For instance, when filming an action movie, it is typical to view footage that is filled with fast-moving, dynamic or intentionally jerky shots. When filming a comedy scene, the timing for the punchline is very important. When filming a very dramatic scene, the actor's moment requires the right pacing to ensure a good investment on the scene's emotional content.
An actor's performance in a scene is mainly affected by the environment where the movie is set. The art requirements or even the special effects used must have the right pacing in reference to the actor's interaction with both his surroundings and the other actors involved in the scene. The video's lighting setup also adds to the artistic pacing and storytelling of the movie. For instance, when an actor is set in a serene and mystical garden, the film's pacing can slowly progress and allow the viewers to properly digest what they see and hear on the footage. This is very important in making the audience believe, accept and validate what happens in the story.
Making a film doesn't necessarily follow a chronological scheduling of the shots to take at any given time. The shooting schedule mainly depends on the availability of the people working on the production. Prior to editing, a video footage is first assembled in the right order they should be. The best takes are also chosen during this initial post-production stage. When fine cutting the rough assembly of the video, the cutting and splicing of the video clips should have the right pacing and timing to make the people accept what they see on screen. The music used in the edited video also plays a crucial role in the story's fast, slow, dynamic or steady pacing.