Continuity editing

Continuity

 

For part of our coursework we have to create a preliminary task, a short thriller opening showing continutiy. Therefore we have looked at what continuity is and how to maintain it. Ther term continuity means the chronological order in which something is to appear, conintous existence of time. This is done within movies so that a sense of realism can be created. Therefore everything within a scene remains the same for the period of time they are filmimg. This ranges from the positioning of objects that have not been touched by characters, costume and hair. It would not make sense if from one angle a character has thier hair up and then another angle the hair style changes. This would not make sense to the audience in terms of realism. There are multiple techniques and rules that too have to be followed to allow conitnuity and prevent disorientation. I have listed these below.

 

Eye line match:

 An eye line match is used within the system of continuity , it is based on the premise that the audience will want to see what the character on screen is seeing. The eye line match begins with the character looking at something off-screen followed by a cut to the object or person at which they looking. Hitchcock makes use of the eye line match in the movie 'Rear Window' where the main character is seen to be pearing from his window at events below him. For example in this short clip there is use of an eye-line match.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Match on action:

This continuity technqiue starts with the audience seeing an action in one shot and then see them continue into the next shot.

 

Shot-reverse-shot:

A shot-reverse-shot tends to be used in conversations. It works by showing one shot of a character speaking then changing to another shot of the other character in the conversation replying. This is usually done several times. For example in this 

scene from Psycho there is use of shot-reverse-shot

when Norman and then women converse. Shot-reverse-shot allow the audience to see who are conversing and also to show expression and emotion. In this scene we can see Norman;s estranged expression and Mariom's reaction of confusion and awkwardness.

Graphic action:

This is where two shots are linked together through similar objects/shapes. This is a creative way of allowing scenes to flow from one to another. This create a continous feeling of time progressing. Below is a clip from the film 'War of the worlds' where there is use of two graphic actions. The water drop to the earth to the traffic light, this is a creative way to link the transition of scenes.

180 degree rule:

The 180 degree rule is a basic guideline that states two characters in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to eachother. An imaginary axis is put in place of 180 degrees. The camera can not cross this imaginary line as objects and people will appear on a different side which creates confusion to the audience. 'Crossing the line' can only be done if the audience are physically shown the camera passing behind the character swapping sides. The 180 degree rule is usually accompanied by a shot-reverse-shot.