Analysing My Preliminary TaskMatch On Action

Match On Action is an editing technique which emphasises the continuity of a scene, it

allows one shot to move into another shot smoothly whilst still portraying the action done in

the first shot. The perspective of the camera changes in this rule however the scene still

continues to flow. This creates the impression of continuity, the action which is being done

creates a “visual bridge” allowing the viewer to witness the action without being distracted

by slight cutting or continuity issues.

From this rule I learnt that I must make sure when filming the seperate parts of the Match On

Action scene, I must ensure each time I film the scene, the same action is performed to the

absolute detail. It is also essential when editing that you cut and edit the shots at the exact

right frame to ensure continuity.

In our preliminary task, we incorporated this rule by creating a scene where a door is opened

and a dramatic character enters, it helped add more interesting elements to my shot rather

than a straight recording of a person opening a door. This way I used more angles to film

which resulted in me having more to work with when I was editing it.

Here we see Jenny walking towards the door to turn the handle, this is shot one.

Next, Jenny performs the action we were about to see in the previous scene in a

different angle to emphasise the continuity, this is shot two.

Shot three consists of another angle where Jenny is walking towards the

camera and into the room she opened the door into.

The 180 Degree rule states the line of action that should not be crossed to ensure

continuity of the scene. The camera must stay on the one side it is recording on

throughout the scene behind the 180 degree line. If the camera passes this line

and goes on the other side of the characters, this causes a misplace in the

visuals you witness when you watch the characters as the perspective will go off.

This can be seen in a conversation scene, no matter where the camera is

behind the 180 line, the characters should be seen looking at eachother on the

same side of the shot.

From this technique I learnt to maintain the continuity of our shots by ensuring

the characters are placed in the same position all the way through the scene

otherwise it will look like they have suddenly warped to another

location/position. We used this rule in our Task twice by showing the connection

between the two characters with a somewhat long shot on the 90 degree line to

show both characters equally in a balanced manner.

180 Degree Rule

Shot Reverse Shot is a filming technique where one character is filmed

looking/conversing with another character who is off screen then the other character is

filmed looking back at the first character. Scenes like this are commonly used in most

situations as it is the most common filming technique to use for conversations. During

the preliminary task I learnt that to ensure this scene goes well, the other off screen

character doesn’t speak/reply in the conversation when the camera isn’t on them. In

our preliminary task, we focused on over the shoulder shots to make it seem more

engaging with the audience, we used this back and forth throughout the conversation

to maintain an idea of continuity and conversation.

Shot Reverse Shot

Example of Match on Action

Shot 1: Using the table to light the match

and then continuing onto striking it against

the table to light it.

Movie: Bringing Up Baby

Shot 2: Moving the

match to the cigarette

to light it.

Example of 180 Degree RuleMovie: Harakiri (1962) directed by Masaki Kobayashi

Camera always stays behind the axis.

Example of Shot Reverse Shot -The Hunger Games