180 Degree Rule

The 180° rule is a basic guideline in film making that states that two characters (or other elements) in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other. If the camera passes over the imaginary axis connecting the two subjects, it is called crossing the line. The new shot, from the opposite side, is known as a reverse angle.

Shot/Reverse Shot

Shot reverse shot is a film technique where one character is shown looking at another character, and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer assumes that they are looking at each other.

Match on Action

Match on action is any cut that emphasizes continuity. It is a technique used in film editing from one scene to another in which the two camera shots compositional elements match, helping to establish a strong continuity of action - and linking two ideas with a metaphor.

Match on action is during the same scene in a film where the shot cuts to something else happening but to give the illusion the film carries on flowing. Here is a good example...

Continuity

Continuity is keeping the flim flowing as time goes by while the story carrys on. An example of this is if someone is talking with their phone in their right hand and if the shot changes and the phone is suddenly in their left hand, that is an example of bad continuity. Good continuity would be the person keeping their phone in their right hand which would happen without the error.

An example from the movie Star Wars here,

This is an example of very bad coninuity because within seconds and a couple of shots from the film. Something has completely changed which shouldnt have. Good continuity wouldnt have any of these errors in the flim and everything will flow properly

Preliminary Excersice

Our first brief is to produce a continuity excersice which involves a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom they exchange a couple of lines of dialogue. The task should demonstrate:

• Match on action
• Shot/reverse shot
• 180 degree rule

Introduction to Media Studies

Hi, my name is Sam.

I decided to take Media Studies for A-level to help pursue a career in media and television. My target grade is a C but i will work hard to hopefully get an A grade.

In my media group is:
Sol Ilett -  http://www.solilett.blogspot.com/
Tom Speechley - http://www.tomspeechleymedia.blogspot.com/

We have decided to call our group Sharrison Productions.