Video - Continuity

We were tasked with producing a short video, focusing primarily on continuity and maintaining it throughout the video. I have organised a video titled (appropriately) as Continuity; I produced a storyboard and script myself, recruiting actors and operating the cameras on my own. The audio was recorded on a phone and I was able to place it close to the actors for the sound to be clear, the phone being out of frame due to the computer monitors.

I used Adobe Premiere Pro CS6 for editing, the music used is Two Finger Johnny by http://incompetech.com/

Continuity Project from Eughan Wooding on Vimeo.

Audio - Continuity

I have decided to use incompetech again, for my video's music as it is royalty-free and has a wide range of music types. The song I have chosen is titled Two Finger Johnny, the link is given below:

http://incompetech.com/wordpress/2015/01/two-finger-johnny/ 

 I primarily chose this as it is lively, setting up nicely for the non-serious piece I aim to film; my video notably is quite meta and exaggerated, therefore I feel the song fits well. It also doesn't have any lyrics and therefore wont take away from the dialogue - I will fade the song as the dialogue begins.

Storyboard - Continuity

Given that the task focuses on continuity, I made sure to indicate where the continuity features appear in the video. Firstly I decided to go with the script I'd written prior and decided that the classroom would be an appropriate and easy place to shoot; I've even decided to go with some of the potential shots from my scouting, as seen in the 3rd drawing where I decided to place the camera on top of one of the computers and pan across the room - making sure to track Person 1.

I've included some alternative shots for each portion of the video, aiming to film both before deciding on which one to use. For example the first shot of the corridor could be shot from over the shoulder or as a still camera looking into the hall.

Scouting - Continuity

Upon realising that my script involves two media students talking, I believe it is quite appropriate to use my Media classroom as media students tend to work in classrooms; it involves little travel requirement and ensures that where I shoot is safe, warm - for the actors, as they wait for me to set up - and able to provide electricity, in case a camera loses charge.

I am also able to control the lighting and somewhat the sound (turning down heaters or air conditioners) which will prove useful. Poor weather and natural lighting will therefore not be a concern for this piece.

The corridor is not usually busy during lesson or after school however it gets darker after school, so shooting during lesson time would probably be a better option, although the lights can be controlled so it might not even be an issue.

Potentially a first shot could be of the corridor?

The room is large enough to shoot the video: I think that I can situate one camera on the opposite side to the actor speaking and record him saying all of his lines - acting as if the other was saying their lines too. This way I can get all of the shots for each actor and keep both bits of audio separate, making it easier to edit them. It also saves me the issue of operating 2 cameras.

Although I would like to get a long shot of the actors in the room, if I recorded both scenes separately but kept the camera in the same place, I could crop both clips together and make them look like one shot. I could cut to this to give the audience a change from the shot/reverse shot of the conversation.


I will have to ensure the room is tidy as loose paper/litter could move and cause continuity errors; another continuity error may be the computers being used so I should aim to keep the actors on the same computers.

Controlling the lighting will be easy, notably there are numerous lights to ensure that the scene is bright enough for the camera to pick up. If it is too sunny then I could also adjust the blinds.

A potential concern is other students during the shoot, if it is done in lesson. I would have to clear with them prior that I am shooting and request they do not interrupt or get in the way. However, this isn't necessarily a major issue as I'm sure other students will be understanding. Equally they could be shooting elsewhere at the same time.


The image to the right could be used in the final video perhaps. Panning across the room to follow Person 1 to their seat in the classroom.

Script - Continuity

Draft of Script

Person 1 enters the room, hand firmly on the door handle. Person 1 seems to be holding a camera - suggesting they are a Media student. They walk over to one of the many computers, pulling a chair out and sitting down with a sigh of relief. They then begin to talk with Person 2 who is sat on a computer directly opposite from them.

Person 1: Hey [Person 2], how's the editing going?

Person 2: It's going pretty well, just can't get the continuity right on some of these shots

Person 1: That's a shame, are you gonna have to re-shoot them?

Person 2: Probably
*Sigh and rubs eyes*
How's your video going?

Person 1: Me?

Person 2: Well yeah

Person 1: Oh well... I'm done!

Person 2: Really? That was quick

Person 1: Yeah well I just finished the action match shot for my video like
*Looks at watch*
Around [30?] seconds ago

Person 2: Can I see it?

Person 1: Sure

Person 2: Where's your flash drive?

Person 1: Here you go
*Hands over a toy car with a flashlight taped to it*

Person 2: Thanks man


Key Notes

I have not selected actors yet however I will substitute Person 1 and Person 2 for the real names of both actors as it will make rehearsals easier, since they can just keep to their real names. Additionally, this scene is meant to feel really natural and casual, due to this I will aim to pick two actors who know eachother relatively well as it will again make things easier.

The information placed in '[ ]' is subject to change in order to better fit the script i.e. the time Person 1 says must be as close to how long it will seem to have been in the final video.

Another note worth making is that the script is subject to change in order to cater towards the actors' speech, in order to generate a more realistic performance.

Continuity Project

We have beem tasked with producing a video focusing on 'continuity', the main focus is to ensure that we get it right in this video.

Our brief also claimed that we should include:

• Action Match
• Shot/Reverse Shot
• The 180 Degree Rule
• A character that opens a door
• A character that crosses a room
• Exchange of dialogue

Each point listed above seems to correspond with the one in the second list, in that order

Although we have to include all these features in our final video, we are given freedom to plan, shoot and recruit as we see fit for this project - making storyboards, scouting for locations and aquiring cast members. This also means that we are given free range to create a script of our own, an opportunity we were not given during the 'Numbers Project' as that was to test our camerawork and editing capabilities.

I am unsure as to what scenario I wish to film however I will try and create a plot that is short - as to avoid any unwanted continuity errors - since the longer the film, the more risk for continuity errors. Presumably my story will consist of a conversation between two people sat across from one another.

Research - Continuity

What is "continuity"?

Continuity is the maintenance of continuous action and detail in the various scenes of a film or bradcast, typically these details are kept the same in order to better tie scenes together or help them make sense. For examp, a continuity error leads the audience to realise that the piece they are watching is not as real/convincing; continuity errors can even go on to potentially spoil the immersion provided by certain pieces.

The consistency of the characteristics of people, plot, objects, and places seen by the reader or viewer essential for maintaining a believable or effective piece. It links into making a nicer flow for the audience or generally making sense of the situation.


Avoiding Continuity Errors

Shooting for television and film is typically non-linear, making continuity especially difficult; due to the importance of continuity in certain media, it is easy to understand why supervisors are hired in order to look out for continuity errors - attention to detail playing a major role in this.

Filming all the shots for a particular scene (and consecutive scenes) together; the scenes taking place together, with no break between them in the film's timeline, can be edited together easily. Actors are able to remain in costume, character, and the same location to prevent issues.

Linking into the idea of lighting, it is ideal to shoot on a set or in a studio as they provide more control over lighting and environment - unlike the weather which can change.


The 3 Main Rules

There are 3 main things to look out for, in terms of continuity, when shooting a film. You should mainly look out for:

• Action match
• Shot/Reverse shot
• 180 degree rule

These tend to help the audience remain 'spacially aware' of the scene. Firstly, the 180 degree rule ensures that the characters involved all maintain a reasonable flow of contact - looking in the same direction during a particular sequence as to establish where other characters are. The shot/reverse shot is typically used during conversations and can be used with an over-the-shoulder shot in order to better immerse the viewer. Finally, the action match can be used to better build dramatic tension and similarly they can be used to point out certain bits of symbolism; certain objects or actions can be highlighted or stand out if they occur across 2 shots (or more) - for example if a door was being opened.