Camera Angles: Shot-reverse-shot, match-on-action and the 180 degree rule

Shot-reverse-Shot

Shot-reverse-shot is an editing technique used by producers to show a conversation between two people. When using this technique, a Point-of-view (POV) or over-the-shoulder shot is used to show one characters face and what they are looking at before cutting to the same shot of the other character so that the audience can see both sides of the conversation. This enables the audience to see what each character is thinking and thier individual reactions to the conversation.

Match-on-action

This editing technique is used for continuity editing where one shot cuts to another shot portraying the action displayed in the first shot from another angle. The action continuing into the second shot creates a smooth edit as the audience's attention is on the action and not the actual edit. This creates a continuous sense of the same action rather than matching two seperate things.

Line of action (180 degree rule)

The 180 degree rule is a filming guideline. It states that participants in a scene should have the same left-right conversation with one another, with filming only taking place on one side of an imaginary axis that connects the characters. This enables the audience to have a better sense of location in the shot and allows the audience to connect with unseen movement happening behind or around the immediate subjects.