Editing Techniques

Shot / Reverse Shot: A filming technique used for continuity editing, where two cameras are usually set up either side of the 180 degree line, which each camera focused on each subject. Often used during conversations, it de-emphasizes transitions between shots so the audience perceives one continuous action.

180 Degree Rule: A basic guideline regarding a relationship between two subjects within a scene. The cameras must be kept on one side of an imaginary access, to enable the audience to visually connect with movement happening around the immediate subject. Moving the camera over the line is called 'jumping/crossing the line' and causes a reverse angle, which can be disorienting, and disrupts continuity.

30 Degree Rule: A basic film editing guideline that states the camera should move at least 30 degrees relative to the subject between successive shots of the same subject. If the camera moves less than 30 degrees, the transition between shots can look like a jump cut—which could jar the audience and take them out of the story. The audience might focus on the film technique rather than the narrative itself.

Cut-in Shot: Opposite to a cut-away shot, a cut-in is a close-up shot of something that has previously been shot through a wider frame, it is often used in scenes of conflict, as a way of portraying the action. Where a cut-away is used to display the bigger picture, a cut-in is used to highlight the primary action in the scene.

Cross Cutting / Parallel Editing: A technique of alternating between two scenes that are occurring simultaneously. Corresponding scenes often meet or connect in some form, allowing for continuity. Parallel editing is often used to build tension, or contribute to the narrative.

Establishing Shot: Usually the first shot of a new scene, an establishing shot gives the audience the visual information they need to understand what is happening and where the narrative or action is taking place.

Matching on Action: An editing technique for continuity editing, in which one shot cuts to another shot, portraying the action of the subject in the first shot. The editor cuts from one shot to another view that matches the first shot's action.

Temporal Overlap: An editing technique - used mostly in action scenes, where a shot is repeated to emphasise a particular movement, that is significant to the narrative, or create an emotional response throughout the audience.

Kuleshov Effect: An experiment carried out in the early 20th century, it involved a close-up of an actors face, which then cut to what he was looking at. The object which he was looking at was then changed three times, while the reaction was kept the same; by doing this, the audience's perception of the character changes, according to what subject he is looking at.

Eisenstein Montage: Also known as 'Soviet Montage', this is an approach to creating cinema that relies heavily upon editing, shots should not be seen as linked, but conflicting with eachother.