Film Making Techniques

Match on action: (addresses editing)

One of the most crucial tools an editor can have, match on action allows for the editor to create a seamless continuity between shots. Using a characters action/movement, the editor matches between two shots to help hide the cut. The action distracts the audience from the actual cut. Basically when end of the footer of the shot matches the header.

180 Degree Rule:

Two characters or element should have the same right/left relationship to each other (looking the opposite ways in each shot. 180 degree rule connects with two other filming techniques:





Shot reverse shot:

Is when one character is shown looking (often off-screen) at another character, and then the other character is shown looking "back" at the first character. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer unconsciously assumes that they are looking at each other.

The primary elements of a shot/reverse shot sequence are derived from the three camera set up. The shots you should have for a basic shot/reverse shot are: a two shot of the two characters usually in wide or medium shot (establishing shot), an over the shoulder/ points of view shot on character A, and an over the shoulder shot on character B.
NOTE! This does not have to be the same shot type but must be from the opposite angle.

Crossing the line:
Camera passing over the axis connecting the two subject

Generic marker:

Shows the genre