Task 7: Understanding Continuity Editing

"Continuity Editing" is what became known as the popular 'classical Hollywood' style of editing. It was developed by early European and American directors such as D.W. Griffith in his film 'The Birth of a Nation.' It ensures temporal and spatial continuity as a way of advancing narrative.

Techniques include:

• Eye-Line Match
• Match on Action
• Shot, Reverse Shot
• 180 Degree Rule

It is important because it helps to retain a sense of realistic chronology and creates the feeling that time is moving forward. It doesn't mean that you can't use flashbacks or flash forwards, as long as the narrative will still be seen to be progressing forward in an expected or realistic way.

Eye-Line Match

This technique links two shots together. We see a character looking at something off screen and then we cut to a shot of what they are looking at, this allows the audience to see what the character in the film is seeing. 

Filmmakers may use this technique to create a realistic chronology in their films, they may use it to emphasise that a character is looking at something in particular. This technique makes temporal and spatial relationships clear to the audience, it allows audiences to understand what has captured the characters attention. It creates a sense of mystery and tension. If a filmmaker does not use this technique then the scene wouldn't make sense or seem realistic. The shot will not create as much mystery or tension. The audience won't understand what the character is looking at. 

Match on Action 

This technique is when we see a 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 motion appears to continue uninterrupted.

  

Filmmakers may use this technique to link shots together, it creates a continuous shot. The camera can be placed at different positions to film two shots. They can then be put together in the correct order. This allows the shots to flow without interrupting the continuity. If a filmmaker did not use this technique then the shots will not be continuous as it will create a jump shot. 

Shot, Reverse Shot

This technique is mainly used in conversations. The first shot reveals one character and then 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.

Filmmakers may use this technique to engage with the audience and make them feel like they are interacting with the characters. It is used to focus on the characters speaking rather than the whole scene. If filmmakers did not use this technique then it would be one long continuous shot which may make the characters feel bored and not focused.  

The 180 Degree Rule

This is a basic guideline that states that two characters 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.' When filming, the camera should always stay on one side of the imaginary axis. If you cross the line the characters will appear to swap positions on the screen.

Filmmakers may use this technique to enable the audience to visually connect with the movement happening around the characters. If a filmmaker did not use this technique then its creates the feeling of confusion, mystery and disorientation.
However, a filmmaker may purposely choose to break the 180 degree rule if they wish for the audience to feel confusion or disorientation and to build up mystery and tension.

An example of where the 180 degree is purposely broken is in 'The Shining' by Stanley Kubrick.