What Does Eyeline Match Mean?

An eyeline match is a continuity editing technique in which two shots are cut together in a way that allows viewers to infer that a character in the first shot is looking at another person or object in the second shot without the two subjects being shown together.

Eyeline match is commonly used when two characters are having a conversation with each other. In the first shot, one actor is shown looking off-screen in one direction. In the second shot, the other actor is shown looking off-screen in the opposite direction, towards the other actor. The placement of these two shots lined up consecutively during editing allows viewers to easily understand the two actors engaging in dialogue with each other even if the two actors shoot their scenes independently during filming.

For effective eyeline matching, the two actors can be filmed using the same camera lens with careful attention paid to making sure that the height, distance, and placement of the actors in the frame line up. However, if one actor is significantly taller than the other, then camera angles can be adjusted and the taller actor should have a downward gaze while the shorter actor looks upward to make the scene appear more realistic.

See an example of how eyeline matching works:

“The eyeline match” by Ian Killick

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