$$$$ shot

i think the money shot is a shot that a director or DP knows they have while they are shooting it. there is just something that feels different about a money shot, that feeling is what i think tells you it is a money shot. once you cut on that shot, you walk away smiling at the take. this shot is going to be visually compelling, and something about the scene will call for more attention than the other scenes. there does not have to be only one money shot in a film, each sequence in the film can have its own money shots. these shots stand out above the others for their visual composition, framing, lighting, and action in the scene. it all makes for a special take.