Basic Film Techniques

Shot reverse shot

Shot reverse shot refers to the filming technique used to show the back and forth dialogue being shared by two characters. The way it is used is that the camera films from one direction first and then cuts to the opposite direction of the previous shot this is useful to show the expressions of both characters throughout the conversation.

When using shot reverse shot, the 180 degree rule must be consulted.

180 degree rule

The 180 degree is a guideline that is taken into consideration during filmmaking. It is used to set the space of which the characters have in a scene, this grounds it and helps the audience understand the placement of the scene taking place.

When considering the 180 degree rule you must imagine a line going through both actors if you were viewing the scene from overhead. The first camera shot where the scene starts will be on either side of that line. If the first shot is on the left side of the vertical line then all following shots where the two people are interacting must continue to be on the left.

This rule is taken into thorough consideration when constructing a scene with a conversation between two characters using shot reverse shot.

It is called the 180 degree rule as it states that the camera cannot rotates further than 180 degrees from the previous shot. If this were to happen then it would seem like the two characters, who are facing each other to converse, are facing the same way. This would disorientate the audience and will make the scene confusing. However, the 180 degree rule has been broken in certain films like The Shining and The Dark Night.

Matching on action

Matching on action is the term used for when a scene uses several different shots to show a person completing one action. An example of this would be someone walking through a door. The person would be shown walking toward a door in a wide shot followed by them reaching for the door handle in an extreme close up in the next shot. The new shot that the scene cuts to must match the action taking place in the previous shot.