Notes on continuity editing

Why is continuity needed?:

Continuity is needed because in a film you are trying to make a reality and if there are things changing it does not look realistic or believable.

The 180 Degree Rule:

This rule is used so that the viewers don't get disorientated, you cannot cross this line unless you are showing the crossover of the line. If this rule is broken, dialogue or a key part of the film can be missed. 

Match on action:

This means making actions in the film look like it is one continuous action moving from one shot to the next to make it look like they haven't had to re-do actions for different shots.

Shot / reverse shot:

How the shots change between characters during the exchange of dialogue, from one person to the next. 

Rule of Thirds research and notes

What is it?:

The rule of thirds is what is used in both film and photography. It is used for positioning things on camera so that the directors can get the most professional look. 

The four green dots are at the intersections, the top right circle is the point where people's eyes naturally look to when a photo is being taken. The top line with the circles on is the eye line, this is the line photographers / directors use when people are involved in the shots. When objects are involved in the shots they are placed along the lines or intersections.

   

Camera Movements Video

This is a video I produced, showing the use of different types of camera movements.

Camera Shots and Angles

Camera Shots:

Extreme wide shot:

A shot that is used to show lots of background and the surroundings of where the picture/video is set. The subject is so far back that they are almost unseen.

Very wide shot:

Similar to the extreme wide shot, aims to show lots of the surrounding and background, however the subject can be seen enough to make out who/what it is but not close enough to make out any distinctive features.

Wide shot / long shot:

This shot gets the full body of the subject in the picture, still showing a significant amount of background but the subject is close enough to make out features of the person/object.

Mid shot:

This shot focuses on the details of the subject more than the setting, the shot is from the waist up of the the person, focusing on the top half. It is used to show more of the subject so the audience can gain a better understanding of the subject.

Medium close up:

This shot is used to make out more features of the subject, it is from the shoulders up so the audience can still see enough of the body to see how the person is feeling from body language but mainly focuses on the face so we can see features more clearly.

Close up:

Just of the face, it is used to emphasise emotions from the scene.

Extreme close up:

Only showing certain features of the face such as eyes or mouth, this is used for many reasons for example a close up of the eyes to show how sad they are, or of the mouth to show what the person is saying is important.

Over shoulder:

This is almost a 'point of view' shot, the audience is able to see what they character can see, for example, if the character is about to walk into the dark woods or an overgrown forest it give a perspective of a single person to a whole (possibly unknown) area.

Camera Angles:

High Angle:

A shot from this angle makes the object / focus seem small and vulnerable. Used often in a scene between two characters, one who has more authority than the other or when somebody is a victim.  

Low Angle:

Opposite to a high angle shot, this is used to make the object / focus seem superior and powerful. Often used when somebody with more authority enters a scene or when somebody is being violent. 

Eye Level:

This shot is used so we get a clear view of the object / focus. It is an ordinary shot that is used in most if not all pieces of film.  

Birds Eye View:

This shot is used so that we get a view from above the object / focus. Often used in shots of a place e.g. city or street etc so that we get an idea of the surroundings of the scene. 

Other types of shots:

Pan Shot:

Camera stays on a fixed point and can be turned from left to right or right to left.

Tilt Shot:

Camera is on a fixed point and can move up or down, like a point of view.

Tracking Shot:

Camera is fixed and can move forwards and backwards.

Crabbing Shot:

Camera is fixed and can move sideways

Crane Shot:

Camera is on a crane and is lifted upwards to get a shot from high up/

Zoom (in or out):

Camera is fixed, zoom button is used to get closer or further away.

Dolly Zoom:

Camera is on moving wheels and tracks, dolly moves back an camera zooms in, gives the effect of the background moving away from the person.