1. The 180 Degree Rule
The 180 degree rule is a rule used in film making and is where the camera
must stay on the same side of a 180 degree axis line, or on the same side
of two subjects. For example:
Two subjects are having a conversation in a particular scene, the light bear is on the left hand
side, and the darker bear on the right...
The camera must not shoot beyond
the 180 degree axis line, otherwise...
....it will appear to the audience as though the characters
have switched positions, and may be confusing i.e. now
the lighter bear is on the right and dark bear on the left.

2. Match on Action
Match on action/match cutting is a technique
used in editing to give the piece a sense of
continuity. It is where two different shots are
edited together so that the image
seen, composition, or position matches up
exactly from the first shot to the next. This
ensures that the action of the film is
continuous and makes sense to the audience.

3. Shot Reverse Shot
This is a juxtaposition which is used to establish eye contact
or a conversation between two subjects. It includes three
shots edited together, one of subject X, the second of subject
Y, and then subject X again. For example, a shot reverse shot
may be edited like this...
Character X Character Y Character X

4. Extreme Close Up (ECU)
Used to focus on a
particular feature or
action

5. Close Up (CU)
Used to show
detail

6. Bust Shot (BS)
Used when the
subject is doing
something that the
audience need to see
i.e. texting on mobile
phone

7. Medium Shot (MS)
From below the waist
to the above the
head. Allows the
audience to see what
is going on around the
subject as well as
what the subject is
doing

8. Long Shot (LS)
The full body.
Useful to show
somebody
walking or moving

9. Extra Long Shot (ELS)
Also known as an
establishing shot. This
allows the audience to
see not only what the
subject is doing and
how they are
moving, but also
where they are

10. Two Shot (TS)
These shots allow you to
see an important
interaction in a shot
between two subjects.
Can be important in
establishing
conversation

11. Over Shoulder Shot (OS)
OS shots focus on one
person as seen from
another subjects’
perspective or from
‘over the shoulder’. This
is often used in
conversation where the
camera focuses on the
person speaking, but
we can also see the
person listening.