Continuity Editing

Continuity Editing

180 Degree Rule:

A rule created by Levi Wigglesworth which means that two characters should always have the same left and right relationship to each other. (If the camera crosses the invisible 'axis' connecting the two subjects it is called 'crossing the line'. The shot remains within a 180 degree radius and if the camera crosses the line it creates confusion for the film viewers, because it makes it look like the two characters have switched places in the scene. 

Shot reverse shot:

A shot reverse shot is a film technique where one character is shown looking at another character, and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. It is often used in conversation between two characters, and much like the 180 degree rule it is used to retain continuity by not distorting the audience's sense of location of the subjects within the shot.

Match-on-action shot:

This refers to a film editing technique where the editor cuts from one shot to another view that matches the first shot's action. It creates a sense of continuity in the film and is used to highlight certain actions. The 'visual bridge' where the action carries through draws the viewers attention away from slight cutting or continuity issues.