1.9 KiB
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.