Task 7– Understanding Continuity Editing

continuity editing
Continuity editing is the predominant style of film editing and video editing in the post-production process of filmmaking of narrative films and television programs. The purpose of continuity editing is to smooth over the inherent discontinuity of the editing process and to establish a logical coherence between shots. furthermore, continuity editing is what became known as the popular classical Hollywood styles of editing . It was developed by early European and American directors, in particular DW. Grifith, in his films such as The Birth of a Nation.
The classical styles of continuity editing ensures temporal (time) and spatial (space) continuity as a way of advancing narratives using such techniques as the 180 degree rule match on action, shots, reverse shots.


continuity shots is very important as it helps retain a sense of realistic chronology and generates the feeling that time is moving forward. Continuity editing does not mean you can use a flash back or flash forward, as long the narrative will still be seen to be progressing forward in an expected or realistic way.

The key continuity technique

Eye line match- the eye line match describe the placement of two particular shots placed together . This technique links two shots together. We see a character working at something off screen and then we cut to a shot of what they are looking at. This allows the audience experience an event in the film just as the character is experiencing it.

match on action
This technique link two shots together. We also see character start an action in one shot, the camera then cuts to a different angle and we see the character finish the action in the second shot. This technique ensures that the action seem like none natural and realistic movement even when the actor may have really performed it twice.

shots, Reverse shots
This techniques links two shots together. The first shot reveals one characters and the second shot reveals the second character , this allows the two characters and realise that they are interacting with each other.
Those who create a film will use this because it will allow the audience feel like the characters are talking to them directly.  If you do not use a shot, reverse shot, the audience might get bored of what you’re filming because there’s only one shot being filmed throughout.

180 degree rule
180- degree rules is a base guideline that state that two characters ( or other element) in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other. If the camera passer over the imaginary axis connecting the two subjects, it is called Crossing the line. Those who are creating a film might use 180 rule because it allows the audience to visually have a connection with what movement that going on around the film characters.