The rules of continuity in filming

Continuity editing is a system of cutting clips, used to maintain continuous and clear narrative action by following a set of rules.

Establishing shot:

This is a long shot or an extreme long shot, usually with loose framing that shows the spatial relations between the important figures, objectives and setting in a scene.

Shot reverse shot:

This is two shots that have been edited together that alternate characters, typically in a conversation situation. Usually characters in one frame look left and then they will look right in the next shot.

180 rule:

This is 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. It is important not to cross the line of vision between the two characters, if you do the viewer may not be able to make sense of the scene. This same rule applies to a moving subject: keep to one side of the direction of motion.

30 degree rule:

This is the angle between any two consecutive shots should not be less than 30 degrees, in order maintain spatial relationships between people and objects in any given sequence of shots.

Cross cutting:

This is editing that alternates between shots occurring simultaneously in two or more different location.

Match on action:

This is a cut between two shots that places two different farmings of the same action next to each other, making it seem to continue uninterrupted.

Eyeline match:

This is 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 he or she sees or a person looking back in exactly the opposite direction.

Re-establishing shot:

This is a shot that returns to a view of a space or location after a series of close ups.