The Classical Hollywood Cinema - Thompson

1985

“First the onlooker surveys the scene (establishing shot); as the action continues, he or she focuses upon a detail (cut-in), or glances back and forth at the participants in a conversation (shot/reverse shot), or glances to the side when distracted by a sound or motion (cutaway). But while the attention may flit here and there, it never departs from the physical ties of the spectator to the degree that it crosses the line to view the opposite side of the action.” (P.296)

Thompson, Kristin. Page 290, 296, 308-309, in: Bordwell, David, et al. The Classical Hollywood Cinema: Film Style & Mode of Production to 1960. Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2005.