# Videos Shot In One Take. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 13, 2014, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990 "2014-07-13T12:42:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/1 "2014-07-13T12:42:42Z")
I’d like to make a list of videos shot in one take. Particularly those with a scripted sequence of (chain) events, i.e. not interviews. Honda’s The Cog [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/_ve4M4UsJQo/hqdefault.jpg "Honda - The Cog") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ve4M4UsJQo) Car parts are used to set up a chain reaction. Supposedly, this was filmed in 2 parts, although of the same attempt, and seamlessly merged. Ok Go’s The Writing’s On The Wall [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/m86ae_e_ptU/maxresdefault.jpg "OK Go - The Writing's On the Wall - Official Video") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m86ae_e_ptU) This music video incorporates many optical illusions, mostly forced perspective. The Sunday Times’ Icons [![](https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/462872593-7002874ebcffa29aeb718541c18c6f471cba3ac2262ff56be634b0371422006c-d "The Sunday Times - Icons") ](https://vimeo.com/85523671) Seamlessly switching between several iconic pictures. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/2 "2014-07-13T12:57:08Z")
Do you really mean one take, as in nailed it the first time, or one long shot? [Russian Ark](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Ark) is a full length scripted film done with one shot. The length of the film was determined by maximum recording time possible with the camera. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/3 "2014-07-13T13:01:40Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > Do you really mean one take, as in nailed it the first time, or one long shot? > > [Russian Ark](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Ark) is a full length scripted film done with one shot. The length of the film was determined by maximum recording time possible with the camera. I was thinking about what to use as the title, then I decided one take \<\> first take. So one long shot, but probably not the first attempt. Still thinking how to describe the Icons and Ok Go’s video, though. Sequence of scenes? Scripted setups? Poses? Positions? ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/4 "2014-07-13T13:17:10Z")
It’s called a one-shot, and Wikipedia has already done a lot of work for you: > **[List of one-shot music videos](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_shot_(music_video))** > > This is a list of one-shot music videos filmed in one long take by a single camera or manufactured to give the impression it was. One of the most famous music video directors for this genre is Michel Gondry, who has done many of his videos in this style. > And The Camara Moves At 0:36 ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/5 "2014-07-13T14:41:20Z")
[Timecode](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0220100/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4). (FOUR videos shot in one take, in sync!) ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/6 "2014-07-13T14:43:27Z")
Ok what a coincidence, I just found this video: Rube Goldberg Machine Trailer for Leo’s Fortune [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/SH9KnEgPsXc/hqdefault.jpg "Rube Goldberg Trailer for Leo 's Fortune [Original video]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH9KnEgPsXc) Mostly balls on tracks. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/7 "2014-07-13T16:27:07Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > It’s called a one-shot, and Wikipedia has already done a lot of work for you: > > [List of one-shot music videos - Wikipedia](http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_shot_(music_video)) Bad url, (plus it’s mobile, ugh). Fixed [link](http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=One_shot_%28music_video%29). Has it ever been shown that “Come As You Are” by Peter Wolf isn’t a single take? I doubt it myself. ---
**Author:** ![Hockeyshrink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4491bb/32.png) [@Hockeyshrink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockeyshrink)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/8 "2014-07-13T23:17:59Z")
My first thought was Elton Johns “I Want Love” video, starring Robert Downey Jr. [Elton John - I Want Love - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufbexgPyeJQ&feature=kp) ---
**Author:** ![PurpleClogs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f04885/32.png) [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/9 "2014-07-13T23:26:34Z")
I love [this one](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturevideo/filmvideo/9942157/Filmmaker-puts-best-foot-forward-in-backwards-video.html), although it’s more about the video than the music, but still, it’s a music video. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/10 "2014-07-14T02:50:04Z")
There’s Gregory Peck’s famous courtroom speech in\* To Kill a Mockingbird. \* ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/11 "2014-07-18T13:23:09Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > It’s called a one-shot, and Wikipedia has already done a lot of work for you: > > [List of one-shot music videos - Wikipedia](http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_shot_(music_video)) Wow thanks, didn’t know it was so common. I must note that Happy and Weird Al’s Tacky are both like that, the latter only having come out this week. More and more coincidences. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/12 "2014-07-18T13:32:02Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Has it ever been shown that “Come As You Are” by Peter Wolf isn’t a single take? I doubt it myself. There’s a really obvious cut at 1:22 (ish). I didn’t bother watching beyond that. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/13 "2014-07-18T14:48:24Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Bad url, (plus it’s mobile, ugh). Fixed [link](http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=One_shot_%28music_video%29). > > Has it ever been shown that “Come As You Are” by Peter Wolf isn’t a single take? I doubt it myself. I immediately thought of _Lucas with the Lid Off_ from one hit wonder Lucas (though it seems he is very successful as a producer). I always found that video to be fascinating. It was filmed by Michel Gondry who turned the one shot into his signature. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/14 "2014-07-18T14:52:02Z")
> [@chacoguy](#): > > There’s Gregory Peck’s famous courtroom speech in\* To Kill a Mockingbird. \* And the amazing opening shot of [A Touch of Evil](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg8MqjoFvy4). ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/15 "2014-07-18T15:17:06Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > Wow thanks, didn’t know it was so common. I must note that Happy and Weird Al’s Tacky are both like that, the latter only having come out this week. More and more coincidences. Since these are deliberate choices I don’t think you can call it a coincidence. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/16 "2014-07-18T19:34:35Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > And the amazing opening shot of [A Touch of Evil](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg8MqjoFvy4). The pictures they make these days are all MTV- [cut, cut, cut, cut](http://vimeo.com/75881931). ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/17 "2014-07-18T20:03:50Z")
> [@zbuzz](#): > > The pictures they make these days are all MTV- [cut, cut, cut, cut](http://vimeo.com/75881931). Forgot about that one. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/18 "2014-07-18T21:45:21Z")
IIRC, the video for the Spice Girls’ “Wannabe” was shot with one camera in one take. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/19 "2014-07-18T21:54:01Z")
The Grand Rapids LipDub is my favorite. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ZPjjZCO67WI/maxresdefault.jpg "The Grand Rapids LipDub (NEW WORLD RECORD)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPjjZCO67WI) ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990/20 "2014-07-18T21:55:09Z")
In addition to several OK Go videos listed on that Wiki, _Needing/Getting_ is also one single take, although it’s shot simultaneously with several dozen cameras, which were stitched together to create the video. Amazing stuff. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videos-shot-in-one-take/692990.md?page=2)