(V) Task Five: Continuity Editing

Continuity Editing

Continuity Editing became known as the popular 'Classical Hollywood' style of editing was developed by early european and american directors, in particular D.W. Griffith in his films such as "The Birth of a Nation" and "Intolerance"

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

Eye Line Match:
This techniques 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 experience an event in the film.

The 180 Degree Rule:
The 180 Degree Rule is a basic guideline that strikes 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 line axis connecting the two subjects, it is called crossing the line.

Match on Action:
This technique links two shots together. 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 ensues that the action seems like one natural and realistic movement even when the actor may have really performed it twice.

Shot and Reverse Shot:
This technique links two shots togehter. The first shot reveals one character and 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.