Film and Editing Techniques

180 Degree Rule

Its a basic rule that means that two characters
should always have the same left and right
relationship to each other. When a camera crosses the
axis connecting to two subjects, it is called
crossing the line. The 180 degree rule is then
broken.
Breaking the rule has the disruptive effect of
confusing the viewer, making them stop and think.
This that they may break away from the film to try
and readjust. It also breaks the continuity and the
disconcerting effect it can have on the viewer which
would upset the illusion of reality as the
perspective is disrupted. Therefore it is important
not to break the rule

Film and Editing Techniques

Depth of Field
The area within the depth of field appears sharp,
while the areas in front of and beyond the depth of
field appear blurry. In optics, particularly as it
relates to film and photography, depth of field (DOF)
is the distance between the nearest and farthest
objects in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in an
image.

Film and Editing Techniques

Match-On-Action
Match on action (or cutting on action) is an editing
technique for continuity editing in which one shot
cuts to another shot portraying the action of the
subject in the first shot. This creates impression of
a sense of continuity the action carrying through
creates a visual bridge which draws the viewers
attention away from slight cutting or continuity
issues. This is not a graphic match or match cut, it
portrays a continuous sense of the same action rather
than matching two separate things.

Film and Editing Techniques

Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is a concept in which the shot is
divided into nine sections, which acts as a guide to
filmmakers on where to position objects/characters
within the shot. (As seen to the left).
When there is one main character in a shot they are
normally placed in the middle of the frame with their
eyes being centred on the top horizontal line.
This is important as it helps to centre the
characters correctly and place emphasis on specific
people. The Rule of Thirds helps the audience decide
who/what to focus on.

Film and Editing Techniques

Continuity Editing
Continuity editing primarily suggests guiding an
audience through a sequence of events, and, in the
process, showing them what they want to see when they
want to see it. In the end, youve told a story or
logically traced a series of events to their
conclusion. The purpose of continuity editing is to
smooth over the inherent discontinuity of the editing
process and to establish a logical coherence between
shots.
Aspects of Continuity Editing:

Establishing shot
Shot/reverse shot
180-degree rule
Crosscutting
Match on Action
Eye line Match

The benefit of continuity editing allows the

narrative to have a strong structure. The shot
sequences flow seamlessly into each other, making it
easier to watch.