What is continuity editing?
-Breaking down a scene into a series of shots-Making it feel believable to the watcher
-Creates coherence and helps spectator orientation
-Shots are edited so the viewer can actually piece it together (into a story) like a puzzle
Key techniques:
-180º rule-Eyeline match
-POV cutting
-Match on action cutting
-Directional continuity
-Establishing shots
-Parallel/cross-cutting
-Transitioning
-Rhythm
180º rule
-Tries to imitate the space of Renaissance painting and proscenium space of 19th Century theatre
-Viewer is positioned on the same side of wall or action (i.e. the 4th wall)
-A film edited using this orients the viewer by placing them on one side of a 180 degree axis line of action
Eyeline match
-A character looks at something in one shot off screen, and it cuts to the thing they are looking at
-The line of the character's glance has matched the two shots together
POV cutting
-Variation of eyeline match
-Character looks offscreen, cut to thing they're looking at, and object is shown from character's POV
Match on action
-One action scene cut to show various angles in shots all put together
Directional Continuity
-If a character exits the shot from the right of the screen they should enter the next shot from the left
Establishing shot
-Make transitions smooth
-Used at the beginning of stories or beginning of new scenes within the narrative
-Re-establishing shot may be used after many cuts to remind viewer of spatial context
Parallel/Cross Cutting
-Editing that alternates shots of two or more lines of action occurring in two different places, usually at the same time
Jumpcutting
-Abrupt transition cut that is meant to jar a viewer
Transitions
-Seamless as possible
-Dissolve, straightforward editing device to link any two scenes or in more creative ways (e.g. hallucinatory)
Rhythmic editing
-Contributes to mood and overall impression on viewer
-Sometimes to music
Why is editing necessary
-Director now has complete control over how the movie will pan out
-The viewer now has optimal access to the story and events
-Viewers are more involved in action instead of focusing just on character psychology/actor performance (like in theatre)
-Eliminates unnecessary time and/or space
Duration
-Length of a shot is usually determined by how complex the image is
-Long shots contain more information than close ups and tend to take more time
-[Raymond Spottiswoode] Cut must be made at a point where the audience has been able to assimilate necessary information
History of continuity editing
-Lumiere Brothers and Goerges Melies (Train/Moon respectively)
-DW Griffith pioneered continuity editing
>locale changes
>timelapses
>shot variety
>emphasis on details
>POV shifting
>simultaneity
>repetition of motifs
Questions to ask self when editing
How much cutting is there and why?
Are the shots highly fragmented or relatively lengthy?
What's the point of cutting? Clarifying, lyricizing, creating suspense?
Is it manipulative?
Is there a rhythm? What is it, does it work?
Does the personality of the filmmaker show through or is the editing purely functional?
Is the editing a major language system in the film or does it play a minor role? (i.e. fast jumpcuts for certain mental states)
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