Continuity Editing Definition

Continuity Editing is the predominant style of editing in narrative film clips. The purpose of continuity editing is to smooth over the inherent discontinuity of the editing process and to establish a logical change between shots. In most films, logical changes are achieved by cutting to continuity, which emphasizes smooth transitions of time and space.

Examples of continuity editing methods that are mainly used are:

- Master Shot : This shot is usually used when there is a change of location so that the audience or viewer is aware where it is taking place, and what the surroundings are like out of the shot.

-180 degree rule : This is usually when two people are being filmed and the filmer makes out in their mind that there is an imaginery line between the two people. The camera cannot cross that line unless panning, as if so it would become a reverse angle.

-Shot reverse shot : This shot is usually used when two or more people are having a conversation. The shot focuses from behind one persons shoulder to the other face, and swaps to other side when the other person begins to talk.

-Match on action : Is where you film shots to make sense for example if you, in one shot was holding a glass of water being half full, your next shot must have the same amount of water in the glass to look continual. It must look the same as it was in ya last shot otherwise the filming wouldn't look realistic and would be very jumpy.