Shot reverse shot

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Shot reverse shot (or shot/countershot) is a film technique wherein one character is shown looking (often off-screen) at another character, and then the other character is shown looking "back" at the first character. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer unconsciously assumes that they are looking at each other.

Shot reverse shot is a feature of the "classical" Hollywood style of continuity editing, which deemphasizes transitions between shots such that the audience perceives one continuous action that develops linearly, chronologically, and logically.

[edit] Reference

• Bordwell, David; Thompson, Kristin (2006). Film Art: An Introduction. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-331027-1. 

[edit] See also

• The 180 degree rule

Continuity editing topics
Establishing shot | Shot reverse shot | 180 degree rule | Eyeline match | 30 degree rule | Cutting on action | Cutaway | Insert | Cross-cutting