Continuity Editing

180°rule:

In film making, this rule is crucial. It must define where the characters are situated in a scene.

Imagine the camera can draw an imaginary line between two characters in scene.

                                                  



 This means that the camera (s) can only stay on one side of the line. It doesn't matter which you choose, as long as you stay on one side. This makes sure that the characters are always on the correct side of the camera and facing in the appropriate direction and always have the same right/left relationship.

Match-on-action:

This is when the camera cuts from one shot of action to another view of the same action. This gives the impression that the transition is fluid and continuous.

Shot/reverse shot:

This is when the camera is showing a shot of one character looking past the camera to another character. Then the camera switches to the other character repeating the same gesture.
This links in with the 180°rule as it is vital the camera stays on one side of the line to give the impression the characters are looking at one another.


Eye line match:

This begins with one character facing the camera, but looking off screen to something the audience cannot see. Then the next shot reveals what the character was looking at.