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BEN MOLYNEUX
Continuity Editing
What is continuity editing
Continuity editing is a type of editing that allows the film to run smoothly across shots without any visual mistakes. The use of editing allows the films reality near identical of the audience real life reality. The advantages of the use of this editing technique allows the shots to run smoothely and benefits the audiance by making the film easier to watch the film.
Match on action
The five rules of Continuity are the following:
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Match on action
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180 degree rule
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Eyeline rule
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Cross cutting
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Montage
The rule Match on action is an editing technique, which cuts from one shot directly to another shot, which matches the first shots action. With this, shots that look as though they are being shot straight after the other in fact may have been shot several hours apart. Here is the perfect example of the editing technique being in use, the lady is walking up to the book and Just as her hand touches the book the scene cuts to then a close up of her hand with the book.
180 degree rule
The 180-degree rule is the rule in which any two consecutive shots should NOT exceed 180 degrees; this is to maintain three-dimensional relationships between people or objects.
Here is a short amature video clip of the 180 degree rule in use.
Eyeline rule
The eyeline rule or otherwise known as the “eyeline match” is essentially where the audience can visually see what the characters on set/ on the film are seeing in first person. The eyeline match begins with a character looking at something off-screen and then cuts to what they are seeing in first person. In this example, we see the women look at the man and then as they get close the eyeline match is introduced and as the audience we see both the women and the mans first persons view.
cross cutting
Cross cutting is also referred as split screen, it is where 2 or more scenes are being played simultaneously usually at 2 completely different sets/places. This is shown through a short clip of the well-known film “ Inception” as two scenes are being played simultaneously, firstly the men in the building and the other scene of a car chase. Films like inception cross cutting usually to create drama and tension for the audience viewing the film.
montage
Within film making, the editing technique “montage” is used to show a lot of shots in a short period of time and within these shots conveys a lot of information in a short period time. A good example of this is the opening of the film “Hot Fuzz”, within this scene we hear as well as see the main character and a lot of information of his past and present life.
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