Continuity Editing

Continuity Editing

Continuity editing is all about creating action whilst hiding the edits from the audience and making all of the footage flow smoothly. Continuity editing can also be known as Transparency editing as the audience wont see the edits. Because of this the audience find it easy to understand and just follow the dialogue.

Good examples of Continuity editing can be found in the Star Wars films, in particular the fight scenes. A good example is the link pasted below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRd9PGmAQUE  

This is a particular good example as each shot flows well with the next and it leaves no confusion with audience as to what is happening.  Even though we as an audience don’t notice the edits, the variety of shots that are involved make sure that the scene doesn’t get boring and upholds the excitement and fast paced action that is needed. Although in some of the fighting scenes I think more edits were needed to uphold the action.   

Another example is from the film Man of La Mancha:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMH7qkgViVs

This is a different type of example as it shows how continuity can be used in a more subtle and way and in a different scenario. At 12.45 you can see how continuity is used to show the reaction of other characters whilst remaining the flow of the conversation. Its also a good shot of eye line matching and match on action. This is important as there are a lot of characters involved and if eye line matching isn’t done correctly audiences will get confused as to who’s talking to whom.