1. Two Approaches
to Film Editing

2. 1. Continuity: Narrative-based Editing
How can a filmmaker combine individual shots to
tell a story?
Emphasizes smooth, continuous, and coherent
transitions between shots; invisible.
2. Discontinuity: Montage
What new meaning is created when individual
shots are juxtaposed?
Emphasizes difference between shots; calls
attention to itself.

3. Continuity Editing
The illusion of temporal and
spatial continuity; “invisible
editing”

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

5. Spatial Continuity
Techniques
• Establishing shots
• Long take
• 180-degree rule
• Eyeline match
• Shot-reverse-shot

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

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

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

9. Montage in Narrative Film
• Kuleshov Effect
• Metaphor

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

11. Discontinuity
Techniques
• Jump cut
• Nondiegetic insert
• Repetition of
shots or events
• Freeze frame
• Any violation of
continuity rules