# Continuity Editing

> Make each cut feel like uninterrupted time & space. The audience should forget the camera exists.

Note:
Reinforce that continuity is about psychological comfort; when it's invisible the viewer stays focused on story, not technique.

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Continuity Editing
#### 1. Match on Action

A cut during continuous physical movement (e.g., a door opening) hides the edit.

* Cut at peak motion so momentum sells the splice.
* Action should overlap a few frames across both shots for seamless flow.

Note:
Demonstrate with a two‑camera sample: actor sits, use a clap for sync and cut mid‑sit.

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Continuity Editing
#### 2. Eyeline Match

Maintain where a subject looks so the viewer can orient spatial relationships.

* Shot A: interviewer asks, eyes \~10° left of lens.
* Shot B: guest answers, eyes \~10° right of lens.

Note:
Ask the class what happens if we flip shot B horizontally; show the resulting confusion.

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Continuity Editing
#### 3. Screen Direction

Keep left‑to‑right (↔) travel consistent unless you show an explicit reversal.

* Insert a neutral axis shot before reversing direction.
* Works in tandem with the 180‑degree rule to anchor geography.

Note:
Draw arrows on the whiteboard; relate to driving footage where the car suddenly appears to go backwards if screen direction flips.

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Continuity Editing
#### Continuity Checklist

| Area             | Watch For                         |
|---               |--- |
| Action           | Movement overlap, no jump stutter |
| Eyeline          | Correct sight‑lines across axis   |
| Direction        | Consistent L↔R travel             |
| Props & Wardrobe | No sudden changes                 |
| Lighting         | No time‑of‑day jumps              |

Note:
Encourage participants to toggle clip visibility in Kdenlive and watch each cut back‑to‑back before exporting the final cut.