Film Education -

Continuity editing

The matching of shots to create the illusion of linear time and space. This allows the action to flow smoothly and seamlessly so that the viewer will not notice the transition between shots.

Shot/reverse shot: a shot is immediately reversed to give the effect of continuous, linear action. Example: if there is a shot of character one talking to someone off-screen, the shot is then reversed to show character two talking to someone off-screen. Because the shots are reversed they are standing in opposite positions creating the illusion that the two characters are having a conversation.

180-degree rule (or, crossing the line): the camera must always film on the same 180 degree ‘axis of action’ to allow for continuity. Example: If a footballer is running towards his goal to the right and then the shot changes and ‘crosses the line’ to film from the opposite angle, he is now seen running to the left. This makes the viewer confused as to which way he is actually running.

Non-continuity editing

When shots are mismatched to disrupt linear time and space. This will often confuse or disturb the illusion of ‘reality’ on the screen by drawing attention to the process of cutting.

Jump cut: two different camera angles, or shots, of the same subject edited together. The subject is not in the same position as in the previous shot, so they appear to have jumped. This can disrupt linear time, as it will appear as though there is a period of time missing between the two shots. Additionally, this will also disrupt the chronology of the narrative by speeding up film time.

Cross-cutting: cutting between various shots of action in different settings/locations, creating the effect that they are happening at the same time. This is often used to create suspense.

Montage: shots from a variety of different locations, settings, or time periods in the film, edited into one short sequence. A common use of montage is to convey a passage of time, for example, to show a character growing older, or to summarise a sequence of events during a flashback.

Flashback/forward: a shot or scene inserted into the narrative that takes the viewer out of the current point in film time, and into another. Often used to recount events, fill in back-story, or represent events that are yet to come in the narrative.

Other cut types

These are various cutting techniques, often signalling the end of one scene and the beginning of the next.

Dissolve: a gradual scene transition where the end of one shot overlaps with the beginning of the next shot.

Wipe: a line or bar visible on screen that pushes away the current shot and pulls in the next shot.

Fade shots: Often referred to as fade-ins or fade-outs. A fade-in starts from a black screen, as the shot gradually gets lighter. A fade-out ends with the screen gradually fading to black.