Preliminary Brief: Continuity Task

For our preliminary task, we have been asked to film a short clip, in which we must include certain continuity techniques. The short clip must include, a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. The clip must include; match on action, the 180 degree rule, and an example of shot/reverse shot.

For this task, I am working with, D'arby, Lois and Carmel. We have all decided it would be best to make this clip creepy and tense, in order to prepare ourselves for our final task of making an opening to a thriller.

Match on Action: This refers to film editing and video editing techniques, where the editor cuts from one shot to another, whilst still matching the action in the first shot. Even though the two shots may have been filmed with a significant period of time in between, it gives the effect of a continuous flow of time. 

180 Degree Rule: When filming a clip with two characters in, they should always have the same left/right relationship to one and other. This is to avoid the sense of disorientation and to help the audience with spacial awareness. The camera must always stay on one side of the imaginary line, in order for this shot to work. 

Shot/ Reverse Shot: This is a film continuity technique, where one character is shown to be looking at the other character, often when having a conversation, then the shot cuts back to the other character. This shot is often used to show the reaction of each of the characters individually.