Continuity Editing

Continuity editing

Watch as an animation →

In plain words

Join the cuts so that time and space seem to flow without a break, letting viewers follow the story without noticing the editing. It is the umbrella name for rules such as the 180-degree rule, eyeline match and cut on action.

When to use it

When you split one event in one place into several cuts. It is the default for dialogue, product demos and story-style ads.

Example videos

What is Continuity Editing? — Explainer: Learn what continuity editing means, as it settled in Hollywood, and the 180-degree rule.
Movie Mistakes: When does Film Continuity REALLY Matter? — Explainer: Learn what continuity editing is and when continuity really matters.

In AI video, like this

If you generate each cut separately, position, gaze and light drift apart easily. Write the character positions, gaze direction, movement direction and light direction in a fixed block and put it in every cut. After joining the drafts, check in this order: the 180-degree rule, screen direction, eyeline match, the 30-degree rule. Regenerate only the cuts that don't fit.

One-click prompt

Three-shot continuity sequence in one kitchen, camera always on the same side of the action line, the woman always on the left and the man always on the right: Shot 1, wide, she hands him a mug; Shot 2, medium, he takes it; Shot 3, close-up of his smile. Same outfits, same warm light, hard cuts, 3 seconds each.

See it in real films and ads

Film & Media Studies — What is Continuity Editing?

AI-made examples

Not verified

Recommended for scenes like these

Techniques that pair well

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