editing: continuity and discontinuity

Two Approaches to Film Editing

1. Continuity: Narrative-based EditingHow can a filmmaker combine individual shots to tell a story?Emphasizes smooth, continuous, and coherent transitions between shots; invisible.

2. Discontinuity: MontageWhat new meaning is created when individual shots are juxtaposed? Emphasizes difference between shots; calls attention to itself.

Continuity EditingThe illusion of temporal and spatial continuity; “invisible editing”

Temporal Continuity Techniques• Match on action• Long take• Dissolves and fades• Cross cutting• Continuous diegetic sound • Sound bridge

Spatial ContinuityTechniques• Establishing shots• Long take• 180-degree rule• Eyeline match• Shot-reverse-shot

Montage (Hollywood)A sequence of shots that compresses narrative time

Montage (Soviet)A sequence of shots that provokes associations and/or disorients the viewer

Montage (Soviet)A + B + C + D = ?

Montage in Narrative Film• Kuleshov Effect• Metaphor

Discontinuity or Disjunctive Editing“Visible” editing; editing that calls attention to itself; violates viewers expectations of continuity

Discontinuity Techniques• Jump cut• Nondiegetic insert• Repetition of

shots or events• Freeze frame• Any violation of

continuity rules