Match on Action

Match on action is a very simple but essential technique, where the perspective of the camera changes during a scene and the scene continues to flow. It is used to create a sense of continuity as one shot is cut to another shot portraying the action of the subject in the first shot. The action carrying through creates a 'visual bridge' which takes the viewers attention away from the cutting making it seem continuous.

This is an example of match on action from 'Friends.' The camera shows a medium shot of Chandler closing the door, with his body slightly turned towards the audience. The camera then cuts to a long shot where he can be seen standing in exactly the same position with his hand still on the door knob. The match on actions causes the transaction between shots to appear smoother, and evidently less noticeable. The same can be seen again in a medium shot of Monica placing her hands on Chandler shoulders and leaning in for a kiss. The shot then becomes a medium long shot, where her hands can be seen in exactly the same position as she continues to lean in. As a result, the cut appears to be more fluid.

This match on action clip from the 1938 black and white film, 'Bringing Up Baby' successfully shows how match on action is used to create a sense of flow in a scene when Susan strikes a match in one frame and in the next, she lifts it towards her lips to light her cigarette. 

Beth