Continuity editing is when you maintain continuous narrative in a sequence in order to make the sequence more realistic and therefore more entertaining. It is used to manipulate the audience to thinking that this is all happening in real time when in actual fact it is done over a period of a long time. Continuity is broken if something in the shot changes mid way through the scene which would give away that it is not real. For example, if someone if drinking a drink and then the drink suddenly shrinks then continuity is broken.
A variety of coverage shots must be used but they must be edited smoothly through time. For example, if someone walks out a door and another clip shows them reacting that moment from a different shot type then continuity is broken. The 180 degree rule must always be kept in order to keep continuity. This is when you draw an imaginary line at the 180 degree axis which you cannot cross with a camera. This will help avoid any geography issues and ensure the whole scene looks real. For example, if one person is running on screen down a hill and the camera passes the axis, then the same person will look as if they are running up the same hill.
Griffith was the first film maker to discover and use continuity in his films. He discovered it through the method of trial and error. He also discovered many other techniques such as the 180 degree rule. The establishing shot, reverse shots, matching eye line and cutting on action which all feature apart of continuity.
Rhythmic Editing
Rhythmic editing is when you edit both the pace of your scene and the pace of you sound track in order to match what it happening. For example, if something exiting is happening then the scenes can be editing together at a fast pace and fast paced music can be played. This helps to raise the audiences excitement when it comes to this point. Similarly, if something is being revealed, a slow pace can be used to create suspense. For example, when a character hears something and goes to reveal what it is a slow paced editing and music can be used to raise tension in the audience as they wait for what ever it is to be revealed. It can also be used for certain genres. For example, if something is a comedy, they can use a slow pace in order to create a humorous effect.
Cross Cutting
Cross cutting also known as parallel editing, is cutting between two different scenes that are happening at the same time. This technique was created and developed by D.W. Griffith. Cross-Cutting was first used in D.W Griffith's film "After many years" in 1908. The clip below shows an example of cross-cutting being used. The clip is from the film Quantum of Solace. In the scene, A man is being interrogated, the camera then cuts to another scene to show that somebody is approaching in a car. The purpose of Cross-Cutting is to show two important/relevant events in the story that are happening at the same time. Using Cross-Cutting makes the story of a film more interesting for audience. It also allows the audience to be introduced to new characters of the story. Cross cutting manipulates time and space as it allows us to see two different events simultaneously happening at the exactly same time. Though these shots were shot at different times, it has been edited to make viewers think they are actually happening at the same time which really helps in story telling as it also engage the viewers and they do not need to use their brains to work out what is going on so its defiantly a mainstream way of editing it aloes uses different combinations of different shots to make the story more interesting
180 Degree Rule
This an imaginary line that goes between two characters which the camera or set of cameras must not cross. Its a mainstream type of editing as it allows and keeps continuity. It uses different combination of shots such as shot reverse shot and over the shoulder shot to show conversation between two characters it also engages the viewer by letting them know who a character is talking to or talking about, the main purpose of the 180 degree rule is to keep one character on a particular and another character on the other side of the screen the rule also follows the action as it happens.
Shot reverse shot
Shot Reverse shot is, involves two characters having a conversation. You would have one character looking at the other, then we would have a reverse shot from that characters point of view. This is also known as continuity editing. The purpose of using short reverse shot to see character face whilst talking instead focusing on one character when talking, by this you can see their emotions when talking and makes more interesting. It engages the viewers making them more entertained and telling them what is actually going on.
Jump Cuts
Jump cuts play a huge part in the editing we do today and it was discovered by accident George Melies was filming a bus but since he is only able to record 10 minuets of footage he had to just keep filming but his camera jammed and the bus was now a car as he fixed it. But as Melies was a live performer he used this to his advantage and then used the jump cut as some what of an allusion this made the audience very entertained as they have not yet seen film in this sort of manner from this point forward all over film pioneers used the jump cut for the sort of realistic events as we see in modern films today.
Metric Cutting
Metric editing also known as editing to the beat is a form of montage editing created by the soviets. It is a technique that often follows the beat in music videos or sets a pace for films.
Eyeline Matching
An eye-line match is simply an editing technique which falls under continuity editing. It involves one shot of the character's gaze and the next shot has to be the object the character is looking at. This technique was discovered by D.W Griffiths who is the 'father' of continuity editing.
Transitions
Transition cuts are used when we film a shot or a scene we use transitions to cut out and cut in different transitions such as cut in and cut out. The was in which these were gradually developed was from George Melies as in his films he used jump cuts and transitions to create a sense of atmosphere or the viewers. there are also shot dissolves for example in the film psycho which was directed by Hitchcock in the shower scene were we see the victim get ruthlessly murdered we see the plug hole and it uses a dissolve transition and cuts to her eye. this shows us she's dying as the plug hole shows darkness.
Cutaway
Cutaway shot is a shot that abruptly introduces content and scenery away from the central action. The most widely recognized utilization of cutaway shots in emotional movies is to alter the pace of the principle activity, to cover the cancellation of some undesirable piece of the primary shot, or to permit the joining of parts of two forms of that shot. For instance, a scene may be enhanced by removing a couple casings of an on-screen character's interruption; a brief perspective of an audience can hide the break. The pioneers like Porter was responsible for introducing cutaways which Doesn't break continuity.
Motivated Cut
Motivated cuts or also known as Motivated editing is when a scene in the film cuts to an another scene that was not in the frame at previous scenes of films but this is done quickly for the audience because they could think that the use of continuity editing has been broken. This is usually used in narrative terms in movies for example: flashbacks where this technique is used to create tension of what is going to happen next in the film but the pioneer that came up with this technique was again D.W Griffith as he was discovering other techniques which are associated with Continuity editing. Also the purpose of this technique is to show what happening in the next scene that was not in the frame in the previous scene of a movie.
180 degree rule is an technique that show the relationship between two characters in an film as well as keeping them on screen. This type of editing technique was used by D.W Griffith (one of the film pioneers) who used this through trial and error as he was discovering different techniques while making films in the 1900's.
Seamless editing or also known as invisible editing is when the cuts matches with the action. This means that there is no editing involved at all just cuts in between shots so it matches the action of what is happening in the film in a certain scene and continues to have the flow without breaking or ruining it but this certain technique was used by D.W Griffith.
2AM: The Smiling Man
Narrative Structure: The narrative structure of this short film is open narrative because it leaves a cliffhanger at the end of the film which means that there is more to the film than the audience has seen. This means that the rest of the film (footage) is kept hidden by the director and his production team and decide to only show a short part of the film as they want to see if the audience wants to see what happens in the rest of the film.
Format: The format of this short film is single drama as a story is told by an single video of footage.
Thriller/Horror Genre conventions: This short film's genre is a thriller and the way you can tell why this short film is a thriller is that there is a series of close-ups in a sequence where it shows the character's facial expression and emotions of what he is going through in a series of sequences which does create mystery and suspense for the audience watching this short film. Actual scene of this was set in the evening while being located in the streets which was competently deserted of no cars, people etc but this does give a perfect setting for a thriller film because you are alone and no-one to help you at all. The Smiling Man was wearing a yellow suit and shoes which does make him stand out in the darkness of the street and had a scarily smiling face which shows that he is addressing the audience that he is dangerous to approach.
Technical
Camera: There is of mid-shots and close-ups of the roamer's facial expressions of him reacting to this weird smiling man approaching him but the reason why this was used is because it creates mystery and suspense for the audience watching this short film but towards the ending of the short film, there is another close-up of the smiling man looking at the roamer and when the smiling man walking to the roamer again after stalking him at first, the angle of the shot was a long shot to show that the audience can see him from a certain distance. In the scene where the roamer was running away from the Smiling Man as he was chasing him, the shot was a hand-held tracking because it is involving the audience by making it like the audience is running with the roamer as well.
Screenshots of the camera angles (Coverage shots) with an explanation:
This shot is a mid-shot where it shows the character's head and shoulders which does give a more of the detail to the audience that what are the character's emotions and facial expression. The roamer gives a half-smile as he has just seen the smiling man walking weirdly which does means he is worried that something is not going happen to him at all.
This particular shot of the smiling man walking towards the roamer is a long shot as it is making the audience think why this smiling man is walking weirdly which does create mystery for the audience and create an impression that he could be dangerous
As the smiling man was walking towards himself, you can see that his facial expression has changed which means that he is concerned or worried of what is going to happen to him which does create tension for the audience watching this film.
This shot of the smiling man of doing a bunny hop and walking to the roamer again after walking and stalking him earlier in the film is a long shot as it shows the smiling man from a certain distance but also showing the surroundings (location) of where the filmmakers was filming this particular scene.
This shot is over the shoulder as it is looking from the roamer's perspective because he is looking at the smiling man but this does involves the audience as they going behind the character's shoulder to see what is happening.
This is a close-up of roamer breathing a sign of relief as he was worried that the smiling man was going to do something to him after he was walking and stalking him the first time which does create tension and intense moments for the audience.
A long shot in this scene is being used because the Smiling man starts running and chasing the roamer which does create intense and suspense for the audience.
Here is an another close up of when Smiling man starts chasing the roamer and when sees that he is running towards him which we can tell by his facial expression that he is frightened and scared but with the audience, they will feel intense of what is going on in this scene.
This particular shots of the roamer running away due to the smiling man started chasing him is a tilt or also known as the Dutch tilt and a close up as well. The reason why you can tell that this a tilt shot because has changed the shot from a normal way into a slope which does create a better composition for the film but for the audience as well due to the fact that they want to see different coverage shots being used. The reason why this shot is also a close up because the roamer is scared which the camera does create this due to the fact it looks shaky and unsteady as he is running away from the Smiling Man as quickly as possible.
This is a establishing shot because it is showing of where the film is taking place. But this is showing that no-one than the roamer is running on the street also the killer is not there at all.
This is a extreme close-up as it is showing the roamer's facial expression as the smiling man is not behind him at all which does create tension for the audience.
This is a close-up shot of the Smiling Man's face which can create tension for the audience watching the film because he came out of nowhere to jump-scare the roamer.
In this shot of where the roamer and the Smiling Man encounter for the first time, you can see the surrounding behind the roamer that he has past already at the beginning of the film, is blurred out because it need the audience to focus on the main part of the scene of what is going happening but shows that no-one is with him at all.
Sound: In this film, the roamer has a troubled mode of address as he senses that something is going to happen to him. There was a Foley used when the smiling man was walking towards the roamer but this was used to enhance the movement of him walking which does increases the intensely of film which does show that something is going happen in the next scenes being shown to the audience. Also there is Diegetic sound (a sound which can heard from the audience and all of the characters in the entire film) where the roamer asks the smiling man of what he wants due to him walking weirdly and hard breathing as well when the roamer was running away from the Smiling Man.
There is non-diegetic sound in the beginning of the film as the roamer is walking by himself which can create tension as he is alone without anyone with him but this sound was a score being played in the background. When the Smiling man was walking towards to the roamer, there is an another score being played but as he got closer to the roamer, it got quiet to create tension and when the roamer was running away from the Smiling Man which sounded like an alarm going off which can be shown that there is danger and an electronic heartbeat due to the fact the roamer was running away as quickly he could from the Smiling Man.Towards the ending of the film, there is another score being played when the Antagonist appears out of nowhere in front of the protagonist but this soundtrack came on quickly which means that it showing that he is dangerous.
Editing: In the end where the Smiling man appears out of nowhere when the roamer thought that he got away from him, it cuts to a dark screen which means that it is showing there is more to the film then the audience thinks when watching it at the movie and also it shows that is an open narrative story.
Lighting: There is a use of low-key lighting in the short film which does creates an forbidding location for the roamer and the audience as well as they are watching the film.
Procelain Rising
Narrative Structure: The narrative structure of this is linear narrative because it follows a 3 act structure of beginning, middle and end and does not have flashbacks but also, it is a closed narrative as well which it ends.
Format: Since this is a short film, the format of this film is a single drama because it is telling a story through one video.
Thriller/Horror genre conventions: The genre of this single drama is a supernatural and psychological horror as the film is about of gaining possession of a little girl which does represent a demon presence in the girl's bedroom and possessed dolls is most commonly used in supernatural or psychological horror films. The girl is wearing pajamas which tells that she is trying to get to sheep which is also commonly used a lot in horror films but the location does take place in her bedroom. Also a prop was used which was a doll wearing old-fashion clothes to create a reminiscence theme to the film as it is a horror and a teddy bear that the girl was holding on in the film gave a sense of protection for her.
Technical
Camera: In the beginning of the single drama, there is a long shot showing the girl named Elly who is awake in her bed in the night which does show that it is slowly building and creating suspense and mystery for the audience who are into these types of horror films but as the camera moves closer to the girl, it looks lower which seems to suggest that there is some evil presence in her bedroom. A master shot and two shot is also used to show the main characters of Elly and her father Derek and where the scene is taking place as well but also to show the relationship between them . There was a series of close-ups between Elly and the possessed doll which does establish a relationship between them and also a binary between good and evil (Elly vs Possessed Doll) but also there is a point of view shot as well where it represents that the girl is being watched through her eyes and is in danger.
Screenshots of the camera angles (Coverage shots) with an explanation:
The type of this coverage shot is long shot as it shows Elly (character) from a certain distance but this is also a low angle as well because it maybe a evil presence in her room which shows that she is weak.
The type of coverage shot is a master shot as it shows the room of where Elly is sleeping but this is important as it captures all of the characters in one scene. Also it is a two-shot as it shows the relationship between Elly and her father because he looks concerned.
This shot is a close as it shows Elly's father's facial expression and emotions which this shows he is concerned for his daughter as she is in fear about something that may happen to her.
This coverage shot is another long shot where the doll and Elly is in same bedroom which this is shown to the audience watching this film but this shot is in a low angle because it is showing that the doll is powerful and stands out more than the girl.
This is a close up of the doll smiling as it is being shown that it is possessed by an demon which does an impression to the audience that it is dangerous and possibly will do something later on the film.
This is a over the shoulder shot where the camera is behind Elly while her father is putting his daughter to bed and this shows that it shows that it being shown of what is going on in the scene behind a character's shoulder.
This is a coverage shot of an mid-shot with the father is stressed that his daughter is scared and fearing that something is going to happen to her be.
This is long shot as it is showing Elly is hiding under her bed as she in fear that the doll is coming for her but it is in a low angle as well because Elly is weak while the doll is more powerful than her.
It is a high angle because Elly is vulnerable as the doll has caught her bed in the previous shot in the film which means that the doll is powerful but it is also a canted angle as well because the composition of this shot has changed.
This coverage shot of this is a extreme close-up as you are able to look the character's detailed facial expression which you can tell that Elly is in fear as she wondering of what the doll is going to do with her.
This coverage shot is a mid shot because the possessed doll is now kill anyone which next on it's list is Elly's father after seeing her own daughter on the bed lifeless.
Sound: Elly has a frightened mode of address which is a dominant stereotype that children are scared of the dark but this is commonly used in horror films today. There is ambient sound used which was the lightning that does create a sense of reality for the audience watching this short film. An incidental music to show the movement of the doll but this is used to create an dramatic effect for the film as an audience is watching it but also this can be describe as non-diegetic sound as well. Also a diegetic sound is used in this single drama when the possessed doll starts talking to Elly which her and the audience can hear her what the doll is saying.
Editing: There is quick cuts in the film where there is a shot of the possessed doll smiling which does show it is possessed but also it is also surprising for the audience as the doll is likely to something to the girl who is trying to sleep without anything scaring her at all. On the toe end of the bed, there is a panning shot being used where it shows Elly is scared as she feels that something is coming after her which the audience watching this short film know that it is the possessed doll.
Lighting: In the film, there is a use of low-key lighting inside of the house which the audience is unable to see whole room so they feel scared and fearing of what is going to happen in this film.
The Open Door
Narrative Structure: The narrative structure of this short film is a open narrative as leaves a cliffhanger at the end of the film which means that there is more to it than the audience thinks.
Format: Since this is a short film, the format of this film is a single drama because it is telling a story through one video.
Thriller/Horror Genre conventions: The way that an audience watching this short film is a thriller where it shows a series of close-ups, where it shows the character's
facial expression and emotions of what he is going through in a series
of sequences which does create mystery and suspense for the audience
watching this short film. An location of this single drama takes place in the character's house as unknown person came into her place without a reason why so this can create mystery for the audience. The clothes that the character was wearing at first was formal clothing when she was coming home from the shops, then she was wearing something that woman would wear when going to a spa and after the dream, she was wearing her normal clothes during the night.
Technical
Camera: In the beginning of this single drama, there is a establishing shot of the location of where Naomi lives which does set the scene as shows the audience where this film is taking place but also this film has close-ups on Naomi as it shows her facial expressions and emotions of what she is going through in a particular scene which does create mystery and suspense for the audience.
Screenshots of the camera angles (Coverage shots) with an explanation:
This coverage shot at the beginning of this short film is an establishing shot because it is showing the location that the director and his film crew filmed this scene.
This coverage is a long shot where Naomi is walking home with shopping bags in her hand and the audience are able to see her from a certain distance.
This shot is extreme close-up on Naomi using her right hand with the keys which is being used to unlock so she could through the front door.
This is a close up where Naomi has entered her house but she forgot to lock the front door which could lead to an unknown person seeing that the door is unlock and may enter the house without her permission to do so.
This is another close up on Naomi's face as she is very focusing on cutting the cucumber that she bought from the shops.
This particular coverage shot is canted angle as the composition of this shot has changed because it will the film more interesting for the audience watching the film but it is also an high angle as well which means that Naomi is weak as she has not realized the fact that she has forgot to lock the front door while having a face pack in her face and relaxing at the same time .
This shot is close-up of Naomi's face while having a face pack on her but this coverage shot is used because it capture the character's facial expression and emotion by which this screenshot is showing me that she is calm and relaxed.
This shot is a close-up on the unlocked front door of Naomi's house but there is a reflection of the unknown person going to enter the house while she is still having her face pack done.
This shot is again a close-up as it captures the character's facial expression and emotions of what they are going through in the film. In this scene, Naomi's facial expression is in shock which means that she was dreaming that someone would do something to her.
This coverage shot is an over the shoulder because the audience are able to see what is going on behind the characher's shoulder. In this scene, Naomi goes downstairs to make sure that the front door has locked.
This shot is a close-up because the audience are able to see what are the character's facial expression and emotions of what has happened in a particular scene of a film. In this scene, Naomi has realized that an unknown person is in house which starts to worried her but there is a depth of field being used when the background of the scene is blurred out which an unknown person is behind Naomi because it makes Naomi stand out in the final scene of the film.
Sound: Naomi has a worried and scared mode of address which means that she is worried and scared that something going to happen to her. There is non-Diegetic sound used in this film where the score is being played which the audience can hear but not the characters as it will ruin the film for the people watching this and a diegetic sound when the unknown person says to Naomi that he is not Jamie which the audience and including all of the characters can hear. A Foley sound effect can be heard when she walks into her house after coming back from work and possibly the shops as well but does need to be in sync because if it is not in sync, then it will ruin the film.
Editing: In the scene where Naomi thinks that Jamie (who could possibly be her husband or boyfriend) has arrived home but the unknown person says it's not Jamie which she reacts in shock before she is put down again by the person which cuts to a dark screen for few seconds before she wakes up from her sleep. This is showing the audience watching the film that her worst nightmare or fear is that she forgot to lock the door and the unknown person had enter the house and doing something to her.
Lighting: In the first half of this short film, Naomi has a worst nightmare that someone enters her house which the filming crew including the director must filmed at during the day and when editing it, they must used a color correction on a editing software to make it look like that it was a dream because it is part of the film but in the second half of this film, there is low-key lighting used to create tension and suspense for the audience watching this.
