How To: Match On Action

Match on action is a camera technique used in the film industry. Whilst filming, if cameras are limited or for some reason only one is available, they will use match on action:





The object will be filmed doing things as normal and then told to freeze at the end of the shot. The single camera is then repositioned to a new angle and the subject is told to start moving again. The idea is that the subject appears to flow seamlessly without any sign that they have broken their movement apart.

For example, here in the picture we see a woman reading a book from a mid-shot angle. The director then cuts the scene and has the camera repositioned. A new up close shot is now being filmed and she reanimates herself. This makes for an interesting scene that isn't boring but is professional.