Continuity Editing Research

Continuity Editing- A system of cutting used to maintain continuous and clear narrative action by following a set of rules.
The Rules

• Establishing shot
• shot/reverse shot
• 180 degrees rule
• 30 degrees rule
• Cross Cutting
• Match on Action
• Eyeline Match
• Re-establishing shot
• Ellipsis
• Diegetic Sound
• Non Diegetic sound

Establishing Shot
A long shot or extreme long shot usually with loose framing that shows relationships between characters and sets the scene.

Shot/Reverse Shot

Two shot edited together that alternate characters, typically in a conversation. It may not be filmed together but edited together.

180 Degrees     

The angle between any two consecutive shots should not exceed 180 degrees, in order to maintain spatial relationship between people and objects in any given sequence of shots.

30 Degrees Rule

The angle between any two consecutive shots should not be less than 30 degrees, in order to maintain space between people and objects in any given sequence.

Cross Cutting

Editing that alternates between shots occurring simultaneously in two or more locations.

Match on Action

A cut between two shots that places two different framings of the same action next to each other, making it seem to continue uninterrupted.

Eyeline Match 
A cut between two shots, in which the first shot shows a person looking off in one direction and the second shot shows either a space containing what they are looking at or a person looking back in the opposite direction.

Re-establishing shot
A shot that returns to a view of a space or location after a series of closeups.