Continuity editing is the main form of editing seen in films. it was known as the popular classical Hollywood style of editing. It was introduced by American and European directors especially D.W. Griffith. This is seen in his films the birth of a nation and intolerance. It is a important part of a film because it it make the film flow and make a sense of order and make the sense of time moving forward. Continuity editing uses certain technical features. They are Match on action, eye-line match, shot, reverse shot and 180 degree rule
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Match on Action
Match on action is when two short are put together. They are show a character starting an action from one angle , then the section shot is the character completing the action from a different angle. This makes the audience see the whole action connecting the two scenes making them make sense. A film maker uses this to to connect two shots to make a complete shot so the story makes sense. If it is not used it would jump from one shot to a different shot, making it not make sense.
Eye-line Match
Eye-line match is when also putting two shots together. The first shot is of a character looking at something. The second shot is of what the character is looking at. This makes the audience see what is happening making the audience understand what the character is looking at. A film maker would use it to create a sense of either excitement or tension depending what the scene is about. It also makes the audience feel part of the scene . So if it was in a horror film, it would make the audience a sense of fear when they see what the character is looking at. If it is not used the audience might not be as interested or the audience might not understand what is happening.
Shot Reverse Shot
Shot reverse shot also links two shot together. The first shot introduces one character. The second shot introduces the second character. This makes the audience see all the characters introducing them all to the audience so they understand who is having a conversation. A film maker would use it to introduce the characters . It is also used to interests the audience showing difference shots. If it was not used the audience would not know who is talking .
180 degree rule
The 180 degree rule is a rule that the two characters should stay in the same position . This is done by keeping the camera inside the same 180 degree area. This causes the characters stay in the same position. A Film maker uses this to make the scene makes sense . So it dose not look like it is swapping confusing them . If it is not used it will confuse the audience.
In my film I tried to used these features to make it a film following the rules of continuity.
In my film we used match on action, eye-line match, shot, reverse shot ,180 degree rule and point of view.
I used a match on action when Kayley walk into the classroom , walk toward the desk then the next shot was her waking in front of the desk. It was effective in the scene because it shows where Kayley went through the class room making it make sense. But it could have been done better because it dose not really show it from a different angle so it was not really showing a completion of situation.
In my film we also used a eyeline match. The eye line match was used when Nicola was on the computer. The audience see Nicola looking at something, then the next shot is what she is looking at. It is used effectively because you get to see what she is looking at . Which means it makes sence to the audience.
In my film I use shot reverse shot. It is used when kayley and Nicola talking about their revenge. It is used to show kayley wanting to know the plan and Nicola telling her the plan. Irt us sued to show Nicola telling her and Kayley reaction to the plan. It is used effectively because it show the reaction of the characters and makes the audience want to know what is going to happen.
In my film we also used 180 degree rule. It is used when Nicola and Kayley are talking. It is used to make the scene make sense and wont confuse the audience making the film flow. It is used effectively because I keep the 180 degree rule with out breaking it. This means the audience dose not gets confused.
Point of view is not used in my film. It was not in our film because I did not remember to used it in the film. If i used it would have used it to when Kayley was attacking Nicola It would have been used to show the fear on nicola and the aggression of Kayley.
Overall the film was quite successful in demonstrating continuity editing. My film include all the features of continuity editing acept point of view. All of the features were done effectively and make it very emotive.
