Research on Continuity

Continuity is one of the most important things to consider in film making since it ensures that the narrative of a film is coherent and professional looking. It helps keep the story flowing smoothly, allowing shots to cut or mix to one another flawlessly and fluently.

Continuity Editing

This process is followed by directors of film and tv fiction, which allows footage to be shot and edited to create a seamless narrative.

The process that this derives from is suture, which means that the audience is hooked by the narrative. The audience is distracted by the charcters and doesn't think that this film as been constructed and edited for effect.

Continuity Editing Techniques

180 degree rule: It is important not to cross the 'line of vision' between two characters, since this may confuse the viewer meaning they won't be able to make sense of the scene. The same rule applies to objects in motion, the camera must keep to one side of the movement.

 30 degree rule: When the camera angle changes by less than 30 degrees, a noticable 'jump' in the footage can be seen, known as a jump cut, which can confuse the viewer.

Eyeline Match: The direction of the characters' vision must stay the same. For example, a taller character must look down towards the eyes of a smaller character, and vice versa.

Match On Action ( or Matched Cuts): Action should be edited so that a character or object has clearly moved forward between shots, as opposed to having the action look repeated.

Shot / reverse / shot: This technique is used when two characters are in conversation.

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  The conversation must be filmed at least 3 times with the acting and positioning of the characters being exactly the same.
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  Firstly, the conversation is filmed with a master shot.
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  Secondly, the covnersation is filmed over the shoulder of one character
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  Then the conversation is filmed over the shoulder of the other character.
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  Other shots, such as close ups can be added for effect.

Making Meaning Through Continuity

Meaning is created through various cuts and mixes, both of which control the pace and time frame of a sequence.

Cuts: This is the most common way of seamlessly moving form one shot to the next. When used correctly, cuts are effective in creating many effects of pace and rhythm. For example, an action sequence will include many very quick cuts to shtos of action.

Dissolves: These are used to provide a slow, relaxed way of linking shots, for example, in a montage of shots in an opening sequence. They also show that time has passed in the narrative.

Fades: Fade up & fade out / Fade to black & fade from black. They are used to signify that a pariod of time has elapsed between 2 sequences.

How will this help me in my filming?

This research on continuity will help me greatly in the my own film making. I now understand that it is possible to save time by reducing the number of camera and lighting set ups and I know how to avoid falling into the traps of the 180 and 30 degree rules.

I also now acknowledge the use of different transitions which can be used for effect in the editing process.