Research

1. HONGLI YE
AS MEDIA STUDIES
Preliminary task 2
Video continuity task

2. VIDEO CONTIMUITY-PROJECT BRIEF
For the second preliminary task, I have produced a short clip exhibits my comprehension of the
following three media techniques:
1.The 180 degree rule ,is a basic guideline that two characters in the same scene should always
have the same left/right relationship to each other.
2.Shot/reverse shot is when one character is shown looking at another character , and other
character is shown looking back at the first character.
3.Match on action is when an action that begins in one shot is continued or completed into the
next scene.

3. THE 180 DEGREE RULE
The 180 degree rule states that during the filming procedure of two elements, the
camera must stay within a 180 degree field and not cross the axis of action which refer
to ab imaginary line which cuts through the middle of the scene from left to right sides
of the frame, with respect to the camera.
If the camera crosses the axis of action confusion and disorientation can be caused
from the side of the audience because of the natural view of the subject is reversed.
The effect achieved when using the 180 degree rule is that it involves the audience into
the conversation by using various shots of a quick pace to capture the poignant facial
expressions of the characters.

5. Demonstration of the 180 Degree Rule
The initial shot in the p1 establishes a wide
extreme long shot which introduces the audience
into the setting and mood if the following scene.
The following shot demonstrates a medium shot of
character A. In this way the audience has a deep
insight into his facial expression while he is
speaking which reflects onto what kind of
character he has. The long interval between the
first and second shot refers to the audience being
able to analyze the characters surrounding.
The last shot cuts to another medium shot if the
character B. A factor which follows this thesis could
be that the focus the director wanted to make on
was of character A rather than character B . The
short pause illustrates a quick pace to make the
conversation appear more natural to the audience.

6. BREAKING THE 180 DEGREE RULE
*Stanley Kubrick was well known for
breaking the 180 degree rule . Shining
(1980), more specifically the bathroom
scene as an example of breaking this rule .
In this scene Kubrick alternates shots by
shooting two directions of first shot,
character A has his back turned towards the
camera , whilst we can see the front of
character B who is talking. The same
principle is applied to the second shot but
showing character A speaking.
*Stanley Kubrick didn’t follow the 180
degree rule on purpose due to the fact that
the shot is from a horror movie indicating
that it was done to create an effect on the
audience
* For further analysis it can be said that the
shot transition from a long shot to a
medium shot , indicates that the director
wanted to state that the character speaking
in the second shot is of more importance in
this scene.

7. SHOT/REVERSE SHOT
• Shot/Reverse shot is a crucial editing technique when filming
dialogues . Traditionally , the process utilizes the 180 degree rule ,
eye line match and rule of change among others.
• The essential components consists of a three camera set up.
• The basic shots required to fulfill the principles of this editing
process are: a two shot of the characters ( wide or medium shot) ;
an over the shoulder shot on character A and an over the
shoulder shot on character B.
• It is used to attract the audience into the dialogue and into the
plot of the film rather the visual display.
• This technique is based on continuity editing due to the audience
not being able to notice the cuts.
• The Coen Brother’s are known for their repetitive use of
shot/reverse shot in movies such as :”O Brother where art thou?
(2000), Bif Lebowski (1998) abd Fargo (1996).

8. Demonstration plan out of shot/reverse shot

9. DEMONSTRATION OF SHOT/REVERSE
SHOT
• This sequence of shots illustrates the
editing term shot/revers shot . In the
primary shot (0:22) a two the audience
gets the opportunity to see full setting
of where the character are placed
through a wide shot.
• In the secondary shot (0:24) the camera
cuts to a medium over the shoulder
shot of character A. By utilizing this
principle we get deep insight into the
conversation.
• in final shot(0:28) the same premise is
established but the camera is directed
towards character B.
• The short span between the shot
creates a quick pace to the storyline and
thus impacting the audience to follow.
• The film example displayed is The
interview(2014), directed by Seth Rogen
and Evan Gold borg.

10. MATCH ON ACTION
*The process of this editing technique is based on one shot cutting to another shot
portraying the action of the subject in the first shot.
*Matched on action is part of a continuity sequence which results in a visual bridge ,
which means that the action flows and thus no abrupt pauses are made that would
make the scene seem unnatural in term of reality and validity of the action being
displayed.

11. DEMOSTRATION OF MATCH ON ACTION
*The clip commences with a matched on
action editing technique. The primary
shot (0.04) displays this by a close up of
the character’s feet .In this way suspense
is intensified since the audience does not
know the gender. Appearance or location
of the character.
*IN the following shot (0.06) the audience
sees a back medium shot to establish the
scene and thus steadily revealing a deep
insight into the characters appearance
since we now see the back of its head.
*The final shot(0.10) depicts a medium
shot of his bag which is another key factor
of unrolling the characters in initiatives in
this scene.
*The short intervals create a quick pace
and thus a better sense of continuity since
the cuts become less obvious.