There is no fixed answer, but there are reliable ranges. The number is driven by how many people are in the scene and how much it matters, not by how long it runs.
| Scene type | Typical setups | Absolute minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Two-person dialogue | 8–12 | 4 |
| Single person to camera | 3–5 | 2 |
| Group conversation | 12–20 | 6 |
| Action or physical sequence | 15–30 | 8 |
| Establishing / transitional | 2–4 | 1 |
| Interview | 2–3 plus cutaways | 2 |
| Product demonstration | 6–10 | 3 |
For a whole project
| Format | Typical total shots |
|---|---|
| 10-minute YouTube video | 30–50 |
| 3-minute music video | 60–120 |
| Wedding day | 90–130 |
| Real estate listing | 35–45 |
| 5-minute corporate film | 40–70 |
| 10-minute short film | 80–150 |