EDITING CONCEPTS

DEFINITIONS:

Graphic Matching – (Graphic match) A match cut is any cut that emphasizes spatio-temporal continuity. It is a cut in film editing from one scene to another.

EXAMPLE:

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.

EXAMPLE:

Matching on Action - Cutting on action or matching on action refers to a film editing technique where the editor cuts from one shot to another view that matches the first shot's action.

EXAMPLE:

Eye Line Match – A term used to point to the continuity editing practice ensuring the logic of the look or gaze. In other words, eyeline matching is based on the belief in mainstream cinema that when a character looks into off-screen space the spectator expects to see what he or she is looking at. Thus there will be a cut to show what is being looked at:

object view another character

Shot Reverse Shot –

A Shot/Reverse Shot is an editing pattern in which complementary reverse-angle shots are alternated. The primary elements of a shot/reverse shot sequence are derived from the three-camera set up. The shots you should have for a basic shot/reverse shot are: a two shot of the two characters usually in wide or medium shot, an over the shoulder shot on character A, and an over the shoulder shot on character B.

The diagram below should give you an idea of the set up. 

Continuity -

The purpose of continuity editing is to smooth over the inherent discontinuity of the editing process and to establish a logical coherence between shots.Continuity editing can be divided into two categories: temporal continuity and spatial continuity. Within each category, specific techniques will work against a sense of continuity. In other words, techniques can cause a passage to be continuous, giving the viewer a concrete physical narration to follow.

Establishing Shot -

The establishing shot is one that provides a view of all the space in which the action is occurring. Its theory is that it is difficult for a viewer to become disoriented when all the story space is presented before him. The establishing shot can be used at any time as a re-establishing shot. This might be necessary when a complex sequence of cuts may have served to disorient the viewer.

30-degree Rule -

The 30-degree rule is a basic film editing guideline that states the camera should move at least 30 degrees between shots of the same subject occurring in succession. This change of perspective makes the shots different enough to avoid a jump cut. Too much movement around the subject may violate the 180-degree rule. Following this rule may soften the effect of changing shot distance, such as changing from a medium shot to a close-up.