Shot Reverse Shot

Shot reverse shot, also known as shot/counter shot, is a "classic Hollywood" style of continuity editing. This film technique is, when being filmed, one character is seen to be looking at a character who is often off screen, and then the second character is shown looking back at the other character. As both characters are looking at each other, when they are filmed, they both have to be facing opposite ways.

Shot reverse shot

For example, John and Dave are both seen in the shot, John facing left, and Dave facing to the right, then when they are filmed individually having a conversation, John will always be facing the left looking off screen and Dave will always be looking off screen facing right. This still gives the audience the feeling that they are both still in the room together and that nothing has changed. Where as behind the camera, the actor playing John might have left and Dave might be talking to a marker, but as he is facing the same way the audience is none the wiser. If they were both facing to the left in their individual shots, then this would disorientate the audience, who would now be feeling uncomfortable watching this clip.

• Wikipedia was used as a reference