Shot Reverse-Shot

A Shot Reverse-Shot is a common filming technique used in just about every scene with dialogue.

When two or more characters are engaged in dialogue, it is not particularly appealing for the cameras to stay fixed on one character, as the other(s) continue conversing. It is acceptable while this character is talking, however, if the audience is going to spend two or more minutes watching someone listening to a conversation and occasionally responding, they might as well leave. To remedy this, the camera must move using a transition (an editing technique to change camera angle and framing) onto a new character. This will be done right after the first character's dialogue has finished, that is when a cut (the quickest transition) is used to show the second character, just as their dialogue begins. This new shot will be a mirror image of the first in terms of size and composition. If the character one is shown in a Close Up to the left hand side of the frame, character two is shown in a Close Up to the right hand side. The cameras must stay on one side of the characters* so not to confuse the audience. To help make it clearer to the audience that the conversation is still going on, the camera can include an Over The Shoulder framing technique which always shows the two characters. This is done by having any part of their body still showing during the other characters dialogue. This body part can anything but is most typically the side of the head or the head and shoulders. Alternatively, not using an Over The Shoulder shot and just having a character in the frame can work just as well. Use image provided to supply as an example.

 - Benjamin.

*See 180 Degree Rule.