Why is Continuity so Important?
Continuity in film set photography is important to maintain the visually consistent look of an entire film. It is necessary to maintain the visual look of the production and create continuity in the film’s story. This includes things such as making sure that everything on the set is consistent and lighting is similar between the scenes. Wardrobe and makeup are consistent, and that any props and set decorations are also consistent. In addition, consistent camera angles and shots also help to ensure continuity between shots.
Common mistakes actors make with continuity.
Scenario
SCENE INT. CAFE.
The actor lifts a cup up in the right hand.
The technical crew and DOP (director of photography) change camera angles and decide to do a CU (close-up)
Time has elapsed so in the next shot of the same shot, the actor forgets the actions of the previous shot and lifts the cup up in the left hand.
This shot now is void.
Why?
In, post production during the editing process, we cannot align that shot successfully with the other shot because to the eye it looks wrong, and it is wrong.
Let me explain more clearly.
To set the scene, we use a long shot of the actor picking up the cup with the right hand.
(Change camera angle as on set)
We then want to go in on the visual shot and cut to the close -up. On the close-up the actor is using the other hand.
They don’t match…
