Continuity editing is the technique of editing that maintains continuous and clear narrative action by following a set of rules. Also know as 'Classical Continuity Editing' and 'Invisible Editing' the aim of this style is to draw the least amount of attention to the editing, so the audience's appreciation of the story happens without distraction. It's has been and continues to be the dominant style of film editing since the early 20th Century.
There are a few key terms used in editing and those are:
Cut: The moment of change from a shot to the next shot.
Shot: The content contained between the first and last frames of media.
Shot/reverse shot: Cutting to a reverse angle - typically a mirrored composition.
Reaction shot: Cutting to a character reacting to an action and/or dialogue
Cutaway: Cut to a shot which adds new information that informs the viewer. Can also work as a bridge between differing shot sizes or camera positions.
POV: Point of view shot.
Insert: Like a cutaway, but usually is to a POV of an object a character is looking at.
Eyeline: A cut that keeps the direction of the gaze of characters in a logical space.
Jump Cut: A cut in which sequential shots of the same subject are taken from the same camera position with the same frame size.
'Crossing the Line': Moving the camera so that screen direction is matched rather than the opposite as in “shot / reverse shot”
There are a few elements of continuity to be mindful of when putting together a rough cut and those are divided into two main areas of looking at the scene and the cut itself
Continuity of time: A scene may appears in “real time” even though two consecutive shots could have been filmed months apart.
Continuity of space: The action takes place in a space that can be visually understood by an audience.
Continuity of idea: The narrative is advanced by each successive edit.
A single edit can have the following relationships:
TEMPORAL: how the scene plays with time.
SPATIAL: how the cut or suggests geographical relationships
GRAPHIC: how two shots match in terms of visual design or framing.
RHYTHMIC: how the assembled shot work rhythmically across time
THEMATIC: how shots are integrated to suggest themes, ideas or subtext
Below is a rough cut for a project titled "Steve & Susie" which is linked to this topic where I am learning how to edit for continuity.
As editor, you are an extension of the director's intentions and vision. It's important to be in dialogue with your editor so you know exactly what they want cut and how.
You're also there to enhance the actor or presenter's performance. Remember, an actor isn't giving one performance, but several covered from different set-ups and angles. Sometimes, it's disheartening to see the raw footage and think the footage is 'bad', but it's the editor who assembles all the best 'moments' to create the performance. Never underestimate the performances you're given.
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