Every film whether it be a blockbuster or a low budget film, all films use camera and editing techniques to make their movie interesting. If they didn't then movies would not be very fun to watch. There are many techniques used when using the camera or editing.
However here are 3 main techniques that should be used always when making movies:
Match On Action
This is an editing technique used to make things interesting. Even as walk down a corridor can look interesting when edited properly and using this rule.
Match on action is when you show somebody doing an action and then close up on their actions to see what exactly they are doing. For example, if somebody was really nervous how would you show it? First, you would show the person doing a general action such as sitting in an interview room and then you would close up on their hands and fingers that would be constantly moving around a lot because the person is nervous. You could also show somebody walking up to a door and opening it but while they are opening it, you could close up on their hand on the door handle.
Using this technique makes things more interesting and it shows you have much more skills than just holding a camera and following somebody around the room and not editing anything at all.
Here is a video example:
Shot/Reverse Shot
This is a camera technique used when 2 people are looking at each other or somebody is looking at an object. The camera in one spot while there is a conversation going on can be very boring and sometimes you might not even know who said what when the camera isn't showing who is talking properly. This is a good camera technique to use to show other points of view and make things interesting when people are looking at each other. The camera in one spot while there is a conversation going on can be very boring and sometimes you might not even know who said what when the camera isn't showing who is talking properly
An example of Shot/Reverse shot is when two people are facing and talking to each other. With the camera you can show Person A talking by using an over-the-shoulder shot on Person B and when Person B responds, you can use an over-the-shoulder shot on Person A to show that Person B is talking back.
Here is a video example:
180 Degree Rule
This is another camera technique used mostly when using the Shot/Reverse shot technique. This rule is used more for keeping confusion away rather then making things interesting. It stops people getting confused when 2 people are having a conversation and if the 180 degree rule isn't being used then it makes it look like people are moving from left to right even when standing still or sitting down.
The 180 degree rule is where you have a situation just like the Shot/Reverse shot with 2 people talking and you only keep the camera to one side of the 2 people. If you are using an over-the-shoulder shot on Person A on the right shoulder then make sure when using an over-the-shoulder shot on Person B it's on the left shoulder.
Here is a video example:
