Editing Concepts

The 180° rule is a basic guideline in film making that states that two characters (or other elements) in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other

Example: An example is that in a car chase scene, if the car is travelling from right to left, the next shot must also be shot from the right to left.

Eye Line is a cut between two shots that creates the illusion of the character (in the first shot) and looking at an object (in the second shot).

Here is an example of the Eye Line technique used. This how both characters are staring into each other whilst the camera angle is at a different angle.

Shot reversed shot is when a cut between two shots that creates the illusion of the character (in the first shot) and looking at an object (in the second shot).

This example shows how one the camera is focused on one character then focused on another then back to the first.

Cross cutting is when two shots that creates the illusion of the character (in the first shot) and looking at an object (in the second shot).

PoV (Point of view)

A form of eye-line matching that involves a series of three separate shots-a shot of a character looking off screen, a point-of-view shot of what the character sees, and a reaction shot of the character as he or she reacts to the thing that has been seen.

Continuity Continuity editing is the predominant style of editing in narrative cinema and television. The purpose of continuity editing is to smooth over the inherent discontinuity of the editing process and to establish a logical coherence between shots.

Match on Action

Either an action commenced in shot A is completed in shot B, or an action in shot A is mirrored by an action in shot B

Montage

The process or technique of selecting, editing, and piecing together separate sections of film to form a continuous whole.