FILM EDITING - CONTINUITY EDITING
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DEFINITION:
Film editing is the process of selecting and combining shots into a coherent narrative. 
Continuity editing specifically aims to maintain smooth, logical flow that doesn't draw 
attention to itself.

THE 180-DEGREE RULE:
- Imaginary line between characters/objects in a scene
- Camera stays on one side to maintain spatial consistency
- Crossing the line confuses audience about positions

THE 30-DEGREE RULE:
- Camera angle should change by at least 30 degrees between shots
- Prevents jump cuts (abrupt, jarring cuts)
- Creates smooth visual flow

MATCHING ON ACTION:
- Cut occurs during movement
- Hand reaches for door, next shot shows door opening
- Hides the cut, makes transition seamless

EYE-LINE MATCH:
- Character looks at something off-screen
- Next shot shows what they're looking at
- Creates cause-and-effect relationship

SHOT REVERSE SHOT:
- Alternating shots of two characters in conversation
- Each character on opposite sides of frame
- Cut at natural pauses in dialogue

JUMP CUTS:
- Abrupt cut between similar shots
- Removes time, creates unease
- Sometimes used for stylistic effect (e.g., French New Wave)

CROSS-CUTTING (PARALLEL EDITING):
- Alternating between two concurrent storylines
- Creates tension (e.g., rescue race against time)
-montage sequences

MONTAGE:
- Series of short shots combined to convey information
- Compresses time (training sequences, travel)
- Soviet montage theory: editing creates meaning

L-CUTS AND J-CUTS:
- L-cut: Audio continues while video cuts
- J-cut: Audio starts before corresponding video
- Creates smoother audio/video integration

RULE OF SIX:
1. Screen direction must be consistent
2. maintain spatial relationships
3. Maintain temporal continuity
4. Match eyelines properly
5. maintain lighting continuity
6. Maintain sound continuity

MATCH CUT:
- Cut based on compositional similarity
- Object in one shot matches position in next
- Creates visual rhyme/irony

CONTINUITY ERRORS:
- "Cheerleader effect" - errors audiences often miss
- Wine glass moves between shots
- Objects appear/disappear
- Position changes without explanation

CONTEMPORARY TECHNIQUES:
- Quick cutting for fast-paced action
- Long takes with minimal cuts
- found footage style (intentionally rough)
- Digital effects integration with live action
