Task 7- Understanding continuity editing

Continuity editing is what became known as a popular "Classical Hollywood" style of editing, it was developed by early European and American directors in particular D.W. Griffith in his films such as "The birth of a nation"
The classical style ensures temporal (Time) and spatial (space) continuity as a way of advancing narrative, using such techniques as the 180 degree rule, match on action and shot, reverse shot.

Why is this important?

This is important because it helps to retain a sense of realistic chronology and generates the feeling that time is moving forward. This does not mean that you cannot use a flashback or flash forward, as long as the narrative will still be seen to be progressing forward in an expected or realistic way.

key continuity techniques

Eye line match

This technique links two shots together, so we are able to see a character looking at something off of the screen and then we cut to a shot of what they are looking at. This allows the audience to experience an event in the film just as the character is experiencing it.

Match on action

This technique is used to link two different shots together, we could see a character start an action in one shot, then the camera cuts to a different angle and we see the character finish the action in the second shot. This technique ensures that the action seems like a natural and realistic movement

Shot, reverse shot

This technique links two shots together, the first shot reveals one character and then the the second shot reveals the second character. This allows the audience to connect the two characters and realise that they are interacting with each other.

180 degree rule

the 180 degree rule is a basic guide line that states that two characters (or other elements) in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other. If the camera passes over the imaginary axis connecting the two subjects, it is called crossing the line.