Editing Techniques & Concepts
- 2. 180 Degrees Rule The 180 degree rule is a simple guideline that states that two characters/elements that are in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other. There’s an imaginary axis and if the camera passes over the axes connecting the two people/elements its called crossing the line.
- 3. Matching on Action This technique is where the perspective of the camera changes during a scene but the scene continues to flow with no disruption. This also can mean a cut has been made on an action or movement between two different shots where the the action has been overlapped by the use of more than one camera. It also establishes a sense of story for the viewer.
- 4. Eyeline Matching Eyeline matching is when for example if one character looks to the right in shot A then the other character will look up to the left in shot b, this is to establish a relationship of continuity.
- 5. Cross Cutting It is used to establish action happening at the same time in two different places and create continuity, the camera will cut away from one action scene to another. It may create suspense and often this technique is used for strong emotional affect.
- 6. Establishing Shot This shot is usually wide and from a long distance , it suggests location and shows us where we are. Or it may be introducing the location for the new scene which is coming up. But in either case its mainly related to location.
- 7. Shot Reverse Shot This is when the shot gives the effect of looking from actor to another because it views the shot from the opposite side of the previous shot, for example during a conversation
- 8. Graphic Matching When two shots are put together and dissolve in to each other, it matches the graphics and establishes continuity.