Continuity Editing Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is editing?
The set of techniques that governs the relations between shots.
Define a shot in relation to editing.
One uninterrupted static or mobile image.
What is a cut in film editing?
An instantaneous transition from one shot to another.
What does fade-out refer to?
Gradual darkening to black.
What is a fade-in?
Gradual lightening from black.
Define dissolve in editing.
The superimposition of the end of one shot with the beginning of another.
What is a wipe in film editing?
A boundary line moving across the screen.
What are graphic relations between shots?
Referring to the visual composition and continuity of shots = framing, lighting, shapes, movement.
Explain rhythmic relations between shots.
The changes in shot duration; fast cuts create a rapid, energetic rhythm, while long takes create a slower, more contemplative rhythm.
What are spatial relations between shots?
Involves spatial construction (world bulding) by combining shots to suggest a coherent environment.
How 2 shots relate in terms of space
Ex. Establishing shot → medium shot → close-up
Define temporal relations between shots.
Deals with how editing manipulates time, including order, duration, and frequency of events.
Ex. chronological, flashback/forward, ellipsis, montage, parallel
What is continuity editing?
Aimed to tell stories clearly by maintaining logical narrative flow.
When was continuity editing developed?
Between 1900–1910.
What is the main function of continuity editing?
The smooth flow of shot transitions and to maintain the spatial and temporal coherence of a scene or sequence.
What is the 180-degree system?
The stipulation that the camera should stay on one side of the axis of action to keep character position consistent.
Define axis of action.
An imaginary line that passes through the main actors.
Also called (180-degree line)
What does screen direction refer to?
The right-left relationships in a scene, often set up by an establishing shot and maintained by eyeline matches.
Used so viewers understand where characters are going/looking
If characters start walking right, in the next shot they should still be walking right to maintain screen direction
What is an eyeline match?
The principle in which the first shot shows someone looking in one direction, with the next shot revealing what the character sees.
What is shot/reverse shot?
Two or more shots edited together that alternate between characters, usually in a dialogue situation.
Define match on action.
A cut that occurs while a character is in the midst of an action, revealing the completion of that action.
What is analytical editing?
The breaking down of the space of a scene into progressively smaller camera distances.
Often establishing shot - wide shots - close ups
Guides the audience’s attention to highlight important narrative elements.
What film is cited as an exemplar of analytical editing?
The Maltese Falcon (1941).
What continuity editing techniques are used in The Maltese Falcon opening sequence?
- Establishing shot
- 180° line
- Shot/reverse shot
- Eyeline match
- Re-establishing shot
- Match on action
- Dissolves
True or False: The Maltese Falcon demonstrates that film style is used only to serve ths story
True.
