180 degree rule, Shot reverse shot & Match on action

180 degree rule

It is a basic guideline in filmmaking which explains that multiple elements for example two people should always have the same left and right relationship between one another. If the camera goes passed this imaginary line half way between them then its called crossing the line. You need to imagine a line that cuts right across the elements (in my example the people), chose one side to film from and stick to it because if you change sides then it can look wrong. It may confuse the audience and they think that the characters have changed sides which is not the case. It can also look like they are not talking to each other as they may be facing the opposite direction. This rule can be broken occasionally such as if the camera is shown moving from one side to the other but it is an important rule to be aware of.




Here I have found a very useful video which explains the 180 degree rule very well.

Shot reverse shot

These shots are very simple and are often used to show people looking at each other and are very common when characters are having convocations. This must usually follow the 180 degree rule to work. A shot reverse shot is where we see somebodies face and then another characters face to show simply to the audience that they are talking or looking at each other. These often work well with over the shoulder shots if they are close together, for example two characters having a convocation.

here is a great example of shot reverse shot (Key shot reverse shot comes in at 0:47)

Match on action

Match on action is an editing technique in which one shot is cut to another shot portraying the subject of the first shot. An example of this is somebody walking up to the door and then a close up of their hand opening the doors handle.

Here is an example of match on action

In this scene there is a mid-shot of her opening the book, than a close up of her reading the book, and back to a mid-shot of her reading the book.

Here is an example of match on action that I created.

As we can see in shot 1 the man is reaching for the cup and in shot two he is picking it up.