Continuity Editing Techniques 1

Continuity editing is a device used to cut and maintain continuos and clear narrative actions by following rules. I, today, am going to go though three of these rules. I will give a brief description of three of the rules; then a helpful video and picture to make sure that it is clear how these rules are used.

Rule 1: Shot/reverse shot 

Shot/reverse shot is two shots edited together that alternate characters. This is typically used with in conversational situations. 

A (video) example of shot/reverse shot:

A (picture) example of shot/reverse shot:

Rule 2: 180 degree rule

The 180 degree rule is that: 'the angle between any two consecutive shots should not exceed 180 degrees, in order to maintain spatial relationships between people and objects in any given sequence of shots'.


A (video) example of the 180 degree rule:




A (picture) example of the 180 degree rule:

Rule 3: Match on action 

Match on action is when a video is edited from one shot to another view that matches the first shot that was taken. For example and woman walking up to a door and reaching for the door knob.

A (video) example of the match on action rule:



A (picture) example of the match on action rule:

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