2. Brief Project Explanation
In this preliminary we are issued with filming and editing a continuity sequence
that builds to a climax. I will be using filming and editing in order to maintain
continuity of space and time.
I will be researching and presenting specific continuity filming and editing
techniques.
In order to fulfill project criteria and requirements, I will need to initially plan, shoot
and cut a sequence which highlights different elements of continuity editing. Later,
I will identify the continuity editing I used and assess how successful it was, and
what I could have done better.
3. The clip exhibits my comprehension of the following 5
media techniques:
-Eyeline Match
-Match on Action
-Shot/Reverse Shot
-180 Degree Rule
-Cross Cutting
4. Eyeline Match
Eyelines are determined by where
an actor looks during a scene.
They can help inform viewers of
the scene's geography, as well as
conveying actors' relationships
and moods.
Eyelines are also a powerful tool
for telling a story through visuals
and directing the eyes of the
audience to portions of the frame.
https://youtu.be/Q0yVaPyRJAA?si=
PTuoD4mvCAT2IvEn
5. Match on Action
A match on action cut (also
referred to as cutting on action) is
a type of film transition that cuts
from one shot to a closer shot in
order to emphasize an action.
Match on action cuts are used by
filmmakers to generate seamless
flow in editing. Match on action
cuts are also an important part of
continuity editing.
https://youtu.be/yu3iX6zxbm0?si=nr
D8017a8qIWaU_Q
6. Shot/Reverse Shot
Shot reverse shot refers to when
a filmmaker places a camera
setup on a subject, and then
uses a subsequent setup to
show the reverse view of the
previous setup.
This is different from the
Kuleshov effect in that shot
reverse shot applies a narrower
definition, requiring the filmmaker
to show the reverse angle of their
previous shot.
https://youtu.be/mX1hgyMGuAE?si
=538Uz-D-WjoTDA-1
7. 180 Degree Rule
The 180 degree rule is a
filmmaking guideline for spatial
relations between two characters
on screen. The 180 rule sets an
imaginary axis, or eye line,
between two characters or
between a character and an
object.
By keeping the camera on one
side of this imaginary axis, the
characters maintain the same
left/right relationship to each other,
keeping the space of the scene
orderly and easy to follow.
https://youtu.be/9MwO5Pxy1Mo
8. Cross Cutting
Cross cutting in film is an
editing technique that cuts
separate actions together to
illustrate moments that take
place simultaneously within the
narrative structure.
The “rules” of cross cutting as
far as their relation to scale and
time are not overly strict, but
the majority of cross cuts are
used to show large scale
events that occur across
multiple locations. https://youtu.be/B_9FyTiq3SA
9. Preliminary Task Synopsis
The story takes place in a house in Belgrade. We follow two characters-a
mother and her son. The son is sick and will not go to school, so his class
teacher has to be notified. The son walks down the stair and the mother
asks him if he’s going to school. The mother wants the son to notify the
teacher, but while they argue it’s her phone that receives the message
from the class teacher, so the son is free to lounge. End scene.
16. Preliminary Task Self-Evaluation
I began this project with creating the basis for the presentation. I researched the five
required elements: Eyeline Match, Match on Action, Shot/Reverse Shot, 180 Degree Rule
and Cross Cutting and put their simple descriptions, picture and video examples in the
presentation.
Then I spent a long time coming up with the story for the video. I wanted to do something
interesting for me even if it was more complicated to do.
My photo-story, “The Meeting” assignment, was made around the idea of simple and down-
to-earth shenanigans between members of a family, and the video continues that same idea.
Where before a father and a son entered a stand-off over a bowl of cookies, now a mother
and her son argue over who should notify the teacher of the child’s absence.
17. Preliminary Task Self-Evaluation, continued
The story, logically, dictated the place-the living room of a family home, and the time-somewhat early in the morning. At first
it was meant to be a simple dialogue, but the need for cross-cutting introduced some shots from a bedroom upstairs. Since
neither of the actors is a native english speaker the dialogue was simplified to sound more natural and fluent.
In order to obey the word of 180 degree rule and maintain its spirit, that is to maintain consistency for viewer’s space-
comprehension, a long take of the son walking all across the living room and behind his mother to plop onto a couch was
introduced. It was the most challenging to film, and the living room had to be made presentable and neat for the shot. The
shot allowed the room to be shown from a consistent angle and for the son to enter the frame on one side of the mother and
end the shot on another.
After the video was made the lack of match-on-action was pointed out to me by my teacher, so another shot had to be
inserted into the video, which meant waiting for suitable weather conditions once again.
Of course, should this have been a more serious production, all of its elements would have been more refined. Acting and
delivery would be more natural, it would not be so awkwardly quiet and the camera would be worked with more proficiency.
As of now it is good enough for what it’s supposed to be and for what resources I had to produce it.
Then the only thing left was to finish the formalities of the presentation with the script, the photos of actors etc.
