Film Continuity

Film Continuity - Ethan Sandy

What is the 180 degree line of action?

The 180 degree line of action is a rule that is used in film making to help the actors on screen appear to have proper line of sight, helping the audience to understand the scene more simply, allowing it to flow easier. It works on the idea of a character starting from a direction, then imagining a 180 degree semi-circle around that person, on whichever side the first shot of them was taken. The camera can move any point along that 180, as the character will still appear to the audience that they are facing the same way. If you were to go over that point, across the 180 degree line, the character would then look to be facing the opposite direction from what they were originally, possibly confusing the audience. The rule is normally followed by all film makers, but it can be broken, if you were to clearly show the transfer of the camera across from one side to the other, presenting to the audience that the camera angle has changed, not the characters position. 

What is shot reverse shot?

Shot reverse shot is a filming technique that helps present the idea of two characters having a conversation between each other. It works by first having one of the characters on screen, facing opposite to the other character, showing the audience that they are clearly opposite from one and other. Then, the camera would cut to face the other character, from over the shoulder of that character, showing the first character, presenting the idea to the audience that the two people are having a conversation, even without the need of dialogue. Then, the camera would cut back to the first scene, over the first characters shoulder, facing the second, showing the continuation of their dialogue.

What is match on action?

A match on action shot is a section of film that follows closely to the action taking place in that scene. For example, if a person was to go to a door and open it, then the camera would zoom in and focus on the proses of the hand opening the door handle, showing the audience the action that person just took to get to where they are after.