Friday, 11 December 2015

Task 8: Using Continuity Editing Techniques


Our task was to film a short sequence to demonstrate our understanding of the key conventions of continuity editing. It had to take place in school and had to have at least two characters. We had to include:
  • Eye-line Match
  • Match on Action
  • 180 degree rule
  • Shot, Reverse Shot

https://youtu.be/hl1-iJyzVGo


Eye-line Match

For this technique, the first shot shows character 1 reading and then suddenly looking towards the door as something as caught her eye. The second shot reveals what character 1 was looking at. This shot demonstrates a good understanding of eye-line match. To improve the eye-line match, we could do a close up of the characters eyes rather than the face and possibly have better timing. Also, there is some level of background noise and it would be better if that couldn't be heard. Below is an example of eye-line match taken from the internet, and the example of eye-line match from my video.







Match on Action

For this technique, the first shot shows character 1 walking through a door and in the second shot, the action is continued as character 1 comes through the door and shuts it. This demonstrates a good understanding of Match on Action, however, the timing of the door closing in the second shot is a bit off which could be improved to continue the flow of the sequence. Below is an example of match on action taken from the internet, and then the example from my video. 









180 Degree Rule

In our sequence, the 180 degree was not broken. For this technique, one shot shows character 1 walking through and closing the door, and then walking straight forward. The second shot shows this action happening again but this time from a different angle. The 180 degree rule was not broke because we stayed on the same side of the 'Imaginary Axis.' Throughout both shots, both characters stay at the same angle, character 1 does not walk in from the right and then walk in from the left, in both shots she walks in from the right. The camera stays on the same side of her face throughout both shots. I think this shots shows a clear understanding of the 180 degree rule and that it was carried out fairly well. This shot could be improved by not showing character 1 walk through the door for the second time, and just having her continue walking in the second shot from another angle. By showing character 1 walk through the same door twice, it disturbs the continuity of the shot. 










Shot, Reverse Shot


For this technique, we showed character 1 and character 2 having a conversation about their weekends. To demonstration shot, reverse shot, the camera constantly swaps over the shoulders of the characters to portray the flow of the conversation. In one shot, the camera is over the shoulder of character 2, as character 1 listens to what she is saying, and then in another shot, the camera is over the shoulder of character 1 as character 2 speaks. This shows a understanding of shot, reverse shot and also flows nicely. However, it can be improved as in some shots the lighting is really bad. Also, we could possibly use a boom operator so that the conversation can be heard more clearly. Also there is a slight cut in the video where the flow of the sequence is disturbed which could be improved. Below is an example of this technique taken from the internet, and then the example from my video.



















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