following the action

following the action is where we see a character performing an action such as picking up a book which is where we would see a cut. We would then see the character do something with the book such as open it, then you might get a close up of the book as they are turning the pages as if they were reading the book, so you get the following the action. Say if you were to have the action shown but then the book is not in their hands, the continuity of the shots are compromised and so you no longer have the illusion that the audience is watching something that is real life.