Task 5 - Continuity Editing

Task Five

Continuity editing is the popular "classical Hollywood" style of editing. It was developed by early European and American directors, in particular, D.W Griffin in his films, such as "In Tolerance" and "The birth of a nation". The classical style ensures temporal and spatial continuity as a way of advancing narrative, using such techniques as the 180 degree rule, match on action, and shot, reverse shot. it helps retain a sense of chronology , and helps the film feel like time is moving forwards. It doesn't mean you can't use a flash back or flash forward, as long as the narrative will still be seen progressing forward in a realistic way.

Key Techniques

Eye line match links two shots together. We see them looking at someting, then we cut to a shot of what they are looking at. This allows us to experience what the character is experiencing in the film.

180 degree rule is a basic guidline that states that two characters in the same scene should stay in the same place and not swap places when the camera moves. Do not cross the line or go over the 180 degree line.

Match on action is linking two scenes together. Start action shot one, finishes in shot two. It is a natural movement, and there are no pauses.

Shot reverse shot links two shots together. The first shot is one character, the second shot shows a second characters face. It allows audience to realise these two people are interacting with eachother.

In our film, we had three techniques. These are match on action, eye line match and shot, reverse shot.  We did each technique at certain points in the film. The eye line match was filmed when i am looking at the computer, then you see the computer from where i was sitting, as if you could see through my eyes. The match on action shot was when Kayley walks through the door and it runs through smoothly. Finally, shot reverse shot is when me and Kayley are talking.