96 Grammar of the Shot

Continuity

When producing a ctional narrative work, and there is a person or event to be

recorded, you will most likely run through the action several times, recording each pass
from a different angle and with a different shot type in your camera setup. This is called
shooting coverage. You cover the main action from several angles and with several
different framings. The ultimate goal, of course, is to make sure that the viewing audi-
ence is able to watch the entire action or delivery of dialogue from beginning to end.
The editor is allowed to choose when to cut from one shot to the next, and engages the
audience by providing them with a variety of coverage.

Having the actors repeat the same action or dialogue from shot to shot requires that
you pay attention to continuity, which is consistent repetition of movement, action,
or dialogue by the talent from one camera setup to the next. Keep in mind that each
action and line of dialogue delivery are also repeated within each unique camera setup
or shot, recorded as individual units called takes. Your goal will be to record as few
takes as possible to get the action or dialogue correct and usable for the editor,
saving time and money, but still getting the coverage you, and the editor, will need.
However, continuity is not just making sure an actor moves his hand the same way in
each take of each shot. Continuity, on a visual story construction level, involves a much
wider range of planning as well.