reaction shot

A close shot of a person (or persons) reacting to something that is said or done off scene or in a previous shot. A reaction shot may be used as a standard continuity device, such as cutting from one player speaking to another who is reacting to his words, or as a cutaway device, such as cutting from the main action in a boxing ring to the reaction of a spectator in the audience, then returning to the main action.

reverse action

Also called "reverse motion". A trick effect achieved by running film backward in the camera or during optical printing. When projected, actions in the scene appear in reverse sequence. For example, a diver may be made to rise from the water and defy the law of gravitation by returning to the diving board. There are many legitimate applications to the reverse-action trick. A crash may be staged without risking lives by beginning shooting from the point of impact and having the cars drive backward. The action is filmed in reverse and when the scene is projected the sense of collision will appear very realistic.

reverse angle shot

A shot taken from an angle opposite the one from which the preceding shot has been taken. The reverse angle technique is frequently employed in dialogue scenes to provide the editor with alternate facial shots of the actors speaking.

running shot

A travelling shot in which the moving camera keeps up with the pace of a moving person or object.