reverse shot

noun

, Movies.

1. a shot that views the action from the opposite side of the previous shot, as during a conversation between two actors, giving the effect of looking from one actor to the other.

Word History and Origins

Origin of reverse shot¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

We tried to humanize the numbers and put the camera on the other side — to make a reverse shot and see this story from the point of view of the contemporary hero and the people who have this adventure.

From Salon

A crucial reverse shot reveals that Misaki is in the house, watching what is in effect the representation of a moment from her own life.

From New York Times

Brosh draws a reverse shot to open this sequence: The first panel takes Allie’s perspective, looking down at her expectant, cheerful baby sister, followed by what Kaiti sees, a grinning child standing over her, poking toys into the crib for her amusement.

From New York Times

Sure, Birdman and 12 Years a Slave both took home the night’s biggest prize, but last year’s winner, Green Book, rarely attempted anything more complicated than shot–reverse shot, and Spotlight, which won three years before that, was deliberately self-effacing in its procedural-driven style.

From Slate

“When we’re cutting a simple shot/reverse shot of two actors talking to each other, there could be 10 people, all miked, having separate conversations in the background,” Bronstein says.

From Los Angeles Times