P1. Continuity Editing

Continuity Editing 

Continuity Editing is the process in which cutting is used to maintain a clear and continuous narrative by following a sets of 8 rules. The 8 rules consist of the 180 degree rule, the 30 degree rule, Cross-cutting, Match on Action, Eyeline Match, Shot/Reverse Shots, Establishing Shots, and Re-establishing

Shots. 

The 180 degree rule consists of an axis, which is an imaginary line connecting and passing directly through the characters, but most importantly this rule results in the first character being on the left of the screen and the second on the right, if the camera stays on one side of the axis. If the camera crosses this axis, the characters will then swap sides, the first being on the right and the second being on the left; this is why it is important to maintain this rule so you don't confuse the audience. 

Eyeline match is an editing technique used to show the audience what the character is looking at. An example of this is when a sequence will cut from one shot of the character looking of screen, to another shot of the object she is looking at.

Shot/reverse shot or shot/counter shot is a technique where both characters appear to be looking at each other, but are actually not. This works by having one character looking off screen in one direction, and then cropping to another shot of the other character looking in the opposite direction, so to the audience it appears as if they are looking towards each other. 

The 30 degree rule is when the camera should move at least 30 degrees between shots of the same sector. If a jump cut occurs when this rule isn't followed, the audience could focus more on the rough edit then what is actually taking place. 

Cross cutting is an editing process which allows the audience to see two things taking place at once; it is done by cutting one extremely different clip after the other. Cross cutting can cut back and forth between any amount of scenes, not just two, and is also referred to as Parallel Editing. 

Match on action, also known as Cutting on action, is where the scene cuts from one shot of something to another that matches the first shots activity. Match on action shots give the audience the impression that the two scenes are shot in continuous time, although they could have been shot hours apart. 

An Establishing shot is usually shown at the beginning of a sequence, and is used to inform the audience of where the scene is taking place. Re-Establishing shots are used to return to an initial establishing shot in a scene, which act as a reminder to the viewer of the context of the closer shots.