Analysis to Preliminary Task

In this presentation, I will explain and evaluate what I have learnt from using the three main principles to filming and editing, which are: 180 degree rule, match on action and shot reverse shot.

The 180 degree rule suggests that you must keep all the cameras used, on the same side of an imaginary line between you and your actors when shooting. A great way of understanding this is if you imagine a circle split in half. The cameras go on one side of the split and the action on the other, which is why it is called, 180 degrees. I have learnt If you “cross the line” with your cameras, the audience may be confused when characters appear to move suddenly from the right to left side of the screen. I have also learnt that characters should be placed in the same position at all times during a conversation, to maintain continuity of the shots.

180 degree rule

The 180 degree rule, was used, when the conversation scene between Josh Massey and Nicholas Lloyd was being filmed

Match on action refers to film editing and video editing techniques where the editor cuts from one shot to another view that matches the first shot’s action. One form of match on action is a cut where the person exits the frame in the first shot and then re enters the frame in the next shot. In order for continuity to be believable, the entrance in the second shot must match the screen direction and movement rhythm as the exit in the first shot. For example, a shot where someone is opening a door, then the next shot, someone walking through that door. This is the type of match on action that was used in my filming. I have learnt that cutting an action gives an impression of continuous time when watching an edited film.

Match on Action

The first shot used in our filming is Josh Massey opening the door and exiting through the door

The second shot is where you see him entering through the doors

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. Shot reverse shot is a combination of editing in dialogue sequences. It uses the 180 degree rule as well as the eye line match rule and the over the shoulder rule. From using this technique when filming, I have learnt that shot reverse shot makes it a lot easier to see characters facial expressions and reactions to situations, making it easier for viewers to understand what is going on from the characters point of view.

Shot reverse shot

Shot Reverse Shot was used during the conversation between Josh Massey and Nicholas Lloyd as seen in the pictures

First when Nicholas was telling Josh about his behaviour

Then the shot changes to Josh, where you see his reaction

It is also used to show the slap that Josh gives to Nicholas