Continuity editing combines related shots into a sequence that helps viewers follow a story across time and space. This lesson introduces the purpose of continuity editing and explains how editors shape the viewer’s sense of time.
Continuity editing is the process of combining related shots, or parts of a shot, so that the sequence supports a coherent story. It is commonly used in feature films and is also called cutting to continuity. In classical Hollywood cinema, it may be called classical continuity.
All flashcards
What is continuity editing?
An approach to editing that combines related shots into a sequence so viewers can follow a coherent story across time and space.
What is an ellipsis?
An apparent break or omission in the story’s natural time sequence, often used to skip uneventful or unnecessary time.
What is diegetic sound?
Sound that belongs to the narrative world of the film. It can come from on-screen or off-screen sources and may continue across a cut.
How does match on action work?
A cut joins two views of the same movement, with the second shot continuing the action from a compatible point so it appears to flow naturally.
How do a fade and a dissolve differ?
A fade gradually changes an image to or from black. A dissolve overlaps one shot with another. Both can indicate an ellipsis, but neither alone tells the viewer exactly how much time has passed.
Quiz questions
What does an ellipsis do in film editing?Answer: Omits part of the story’s natural time sequence.
How can continuous diegetic sound make a cut feel continuous?Answer: A sound from the story world continues across the cut, linking the shots.
One shot shows a person beginning to toss a ball; the next continues the same movement from a compatible point. Which technique connects the shots?Answer: Match on action.
What does an establishing shot usually help viewers understand?Answer: Where the scene’s action takes place.
What visual feature distinguishes a dissolve from a fade to black?Answer: A dissolve overlaps two shots as one image gives way to another.
Based on the Wikipedia article Continuity editing, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.