Continuity - Video Project by

Pre Production - 26/02/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 15:53:18 UTC

To begin, I conducted research to understand the specifics of the role of continuity. I explored various sources to learn about the responsibilities and tasks associated with continuity on the day of production.

I discovered several key aspects of continuity that I needed to focus on, including: "Actor continuity, time continuity, plot continuity, camera and audio continuity." (Sorkin, A. 2021)

I learned that keeping a keen eye on actor positioning and prop positioning is important to gain fluidity throughout each take and shot. To make sure that nothing stands out as out of place throughout the shooting days and I will eliminate any opportunity of this by taking photos of prop and actor positions so I can make sure that everything is fluent throughout each take and shot throughout the filming process.

Pre Production - 29/02/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 16:10:18 UTC

I looked through academic research on this day to read what professionals take on continuity so I can find examples through it.

"If an object suddenly appeared or disappeared, the associated visual transients should capture attention and alert a viewer to the discontinuity. As such viewers can assume the world is continuous unless the world itself alerts us to a discontinuity" (Smith, T. 2006)

Therefore, this source emphasizes the importance of continuity in the film. It highlighted that maintaining continuity is crucial because it ensures that the audience remains fully immersed in the story without any distractions. A seamless and coherent flow, without interruptions from continuity errors, is essential for an uninterrupted viewing experience.

An example of a continuity element beyond control is daylight. Changes in sunlight due to the movement of the sun or cloud cover can impact the overall outdoor continuity of the film, affecting lighting conditions unexpectedly on the day of filming.

Pre Production - 11/03/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 16:18:42 UTC

During today's class, we discussed our filming locations, and I made careful notes of them for continuity purposes. I identified the housing location as our biggest challenge due to the numerous accessories scattered around the house. To ensure seamless continuity throughout the film, I'll need to keep a close eye on these details.

Additionally, while the actors were auditioning and rehearsing for the office scene, I brainstormed potential prop placements for the room, such as coffee cups. I created a list detailing where these props could be positioned to maintain consistency.

I also spoke with the producer about purchasing colorful tape. This tape will be used to mark both the actors' positions and the placement of props during production.

Pre Production - 15/03/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 16:42:14 UTC

Now that all props have been bought and allocated and all the actors are finalised I researched more into how to develop my skills into continuity.

"The continuity system principles allow you to incorporate other shots seamlessly, invisibly, and with the illusion that the scene is unfolding in continuous, sequential time. "(Rabiger, M. 2003)

Therefore, I ensured close collaboration with the Director of Photography to ensure that each shot seamlessly transitioned into the next, maintaining a consistent and professional continuity throughout the film.

Pre Production - 18/03/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 16:45:32 UTC

The final class has arrived and everyone is ready for filming after the Easter holidays. We had a meeting were we discussed what days we are going to be filming on and everyone knew their roles and responsibilities ready for the filming to go ahead.

Production - 15/04/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 17:08:51 UTC

To start off with we setup the props and positioning of the actors and I took photos of the room and surroundings to make sure that continuity was looked at in detail.

Production - 15/04/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 17:09:31 UTC

Production - 15/04/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 17:10:52 UTC

Making sure that all the props were set up accordingly.

Production - 15/04/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 17:12:13 UTC

Making sure that the actors were in place. I put tape at the bottom of the chairs to make sure that they were kept in place throughout the shooting.

Production - 15/04/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 17:13:38 UTC

long shot to make sure that the whiteboards were noted for continuity purposes.

I also made sure that the actors hair/makeup looked the same throughout the different takes.

Production - 15/04/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 17:14:29 UTC

Making sure that the posters in the background were the same throughout the different shots.

Production - 16/04/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 17:17:29 UTC

On the next shooting day for the office scene. I set up all the props of how they were the day before. I also kept the table with the same layout and made sure that the posters in the background were the same.

Then I compared photos of the actors from the day before to make sure they were wearing the same accessories and clothing from the previous shoot.

Production - 22/04/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 17:20:47 UTC

First of all I took photos of the surroundings in the building to make sure that nothing changed throughout the shooting day.

Production - 22/04/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 17:21:34 UTC

Production - 22/04/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 17:22:12 UTC

Production - 22/04/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 17:22:44 UTC

Production - 22/04/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 17:23:56 UTC

Taking a photo of were the tea to make sure that they are in the same place from the previous takes.

Production - 22/04/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 17:24:50 UTC

Taking a photo of the props on the main table. These did not move throughout the shoot.

Production - 22/04/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 17:26:48 UTC

I took a photo of the actress' positioning and what props were being used throughout the bedroom scene. I made sure that the actors hair was in the same place for the consistency of the shots.

Production - 22/04/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 17:28:27 UTC

I was making sure that the bedroom scene had no differences in between takes. Additionally I marked were the actress was going to put down the bottle of wine so she can make sure that it is consistent throughout the different shots.

Production - 22/04/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 17:29:54 UTC

I made sure that the actors positioning in this scene stayed the same throughout the different shots which was vital for this scene in the living room.

Production - 22/04/24

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 17:31:46 UTC

The props and the positioning of the actor was crucial in one of the last shots of the film because there was movement. I marked the positioning for the actor to know where he was going to walk to.

Production - Last day of filming

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 17:33:49 UTC

For my last day on set. We could only film one short scene because our actress was ill. Therefore for continuity there was no movement for the outside scene. But I made sure that the actors were wearing their desired costume and I made sure that there was no differences between the different angles for the shots.

Reference list

tmarshall218 — 2024-05-01 17:35:06 UTC

Rabiger, M. (2003). Directing : film, techniques and aesthetics. Focal Press, Boston ; London.

Sorkin, A. (2021). How To Maintain Continuity In Film. [online] MasterClass. Available at: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-maintain-continuity-in-film.

Timothy John Smith, Pain, H. and Lee, J. (2006). An Attentional Theory of Continuity Editing. Birbeck Intuitional Research.