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Continuity

With Justin we looked at the importance of continuity in editing.

Continuity in editing is important because:

  • It creates realism - the edit is invisible so the action appears real instead of it looking like its constructed
  • It helps the viewer make sense of the action by implying spatial relationships and ensuring smooth flow from shot to shot
  • Cutting shots to tell a story with narrative continuity
There are 6 main rules to continuity:
  • Eye-line match
  • Establishing shot and re-establishing shot
  • Cross-cutting
  • Match on action
  • Shot-reverse-shot
  • 180 degree rule
Eye-line match rule

This rule is based on the premise that the viewers will want to see what the character they are watching on the screen is viewing. This means there will be a cut to show what is being looked at by the character on screen. It can be: 
  • An object 
  • A view
  • Another character
The eye-line match will begin with a character looking at something off-screen. It is then followed by a cut to the object or person at which he is looking. Eye-line match refers to the trajectory of the looking eye. Eye-line matching isn’t just about seeing what the character is looking at, it’s about the angle at which they’re looking at it.




Establishing shot and re-establishing shot

It sets up the context for the scene. The re-establishing shot shows what has changed between other shots to ensure continuity.


Cross-cutting

It is an editing technique, most often used in films to establish action occurring at the same time and usually in the same place. It can heighten tension.



Match on action

It is when one shot cuts to another shot but the action in the first shot must match the action in the second shot. This creates the impression of a sense of continuity - the action carrying through creates something known as a "visual bridge" which draws the viewers attention away from slight cutting or continuity issues.




Shot-reverse shot

Shot reverse shot is a film technique where one character is shown looking at another character (often off-screen), and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer assumes that they are looking at each other.










180 degree rule

This is when the camera can not film beyond the imaginary 180 degree line as if they do this will break the continuity and look wrong.











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