The 180 Degree RuleThe 180 degree rule is a rule used in film making and is where the camera must stay on the same side of a 180 degree axis line, or on the same side of two subjects. For example:

Two subjects are having a conversation in a particular scene, the light bear is on the left hand side, and the darker bear on the right...

The camera must not shoot beyond the 180 degree axis line, otherwise...

....it will appear to the audience as though the characters have switched positions, and may be confusing i.e. now the lighter bear is on the right and dark bear on the left.

Match on Action

Match on action/match cutting is a technique used in editing to give the piece a sense of continuity. It is where two different shots are edited together so that the image seen, composition, or position matches up exactly from the first shot to the next. This ensures that the action of the film is continuous and makes sense to the audience.

Shot Reverse ShotThis is a juxtaposition which is used to establish eye contact or a conversation between two subjects. It includes three

shots edited together, one of subject X, the second of subject Y, and then subject X again. For example, a shot reverse shot

may be edited like this...

Character X Character XCharacter Y

Extreme Close Up (ECU)

Used to focus on a particular feature or

action

Close Up (CU)

Used to show detail

Bust Shot (BS)

Used when the subject is doing

something that the audience need to see i.e. texting on mobile

phone

Medium Shot (MS)

From below the waist to the above the head. Allows the

audience to see what is going on around the

subject as well as what the subject is

doing

Long Shot (LS)

The full body. Useful to show

somebody walking or moving

Extra Long Shot (ELS)

Also known as an establishing shot. This allows the audience to see not only what the subject is doing and

how they are moving, but also where they

are

Two Shot (TS)

These shots allow you to see an important interaction in a shot

between two subjects. Can be important in

establishing conversation

Over Shoulder Shot (OS)

OS shots focus on one person as seen from

another subjects’ perspective or from ‘over the shoulder’. This is often used in

conversation where the camera focuses on the person speaking, but we can also see the

person listening.