Cinematographer
Anschluss habe ich beim Drehen im Kopf. Mein Material muss im Schnitt funktionieren – ich liefere Coverage, die dem Editor Spielraum gibt.
Visual and narrative consistency between cuts — props, costume, hair, eye-lines, screen direction. The Script Supervisor watches it on set and flags every break.
Definition
Continuity (German: Anschluss or Kontinuität) refers to the consistency of all visual and narrative elements between successive shots. In editing, these shots must fit together seamlessly, even though they may have been filmed hours or days apart.
Types of Continuity
Spatial Continuity
- Actor positions
- Eyelines
- Left/Right orientation
- Camera axes (180° rule)
Temporal Continuity
- Time of day (lighting!)
- Season
- Chronology of the action
- Duration of actions
Prop Continuity
- Object positions
- Fill level of glasses
- Length of cigarettes
- Clothing and accessories
Movement Continuity
- Direction of movement
- Gestures (which hand?)
- Position within a movement
- Pace
The 180° Rule
The most important rule for spatial continuity:
AXIS
│
┌─────┼─────┐
│ A │ B │
│ │ │
└─────┼─────┘
│
─────┼─────
CAMERA ZONE
(one side!)Rule: The camera stays on one side of the axis between the main characters. Crossing it confuses the viewer spatially.
Typical Continuity Errors
On Set
- Props moved
- Clothing changed (buttons, collar)
- Hair different
- Lighting changed
In Editing
- Jump cuts due to lack of angle change
- Eyelines don't match
- Movement is interrupted
- Sound doesn't match the image
The Script Supervisor
The Script Supervisor (formerly: Continuity) is responsible for monitoring:
Tasks
- Photos of each setup
- Notes on positions and props
- Monitoring dialogue
- Documentation for editing
Tools
- Polaroid/Digital camera
- Detailed notes
- Script with annotations
- Stopwatch for timing
Continuity Check on Set
Before the Take
- Compare positions with the last take
- Check props
- Check clothing/makeup
- Compare lighting (for exterior shoots)
After the Take
- Ask "Continuity okay?"
- If unsure: Video review
- Update photos
When is Continuity Unimportant?
Some directors consciously break continuity:
- Jump cuts as a stylistic device (Godard)
- Dream sequences with breaks
- Time jumps within a scene
Practical Tips
For the Director
- Plan coverage, don't improvise
- Adhere to the shot list
- When in doubt: more takes
For the Camera Department
- Pay attention to details
- Communicate with the Script Supervisor
- Shoot both sides of a dialogue scene promptly
For the Editor
- Review footage before editing
- In case of errors: creative solutions (cutaways, reactions)
- Sometimes errors are unavoidable
See also
- Script Supervisor – Responsible position
- 180-Degree Rule – Axis rule
- Match Cut – Seamless cut
- Eyeline Match – Matching eyelines
From the crafts
Perspectives
Director
Bei Anschluss entdecke ich den Film, den ich wirklich gedreht habe. Der Schnitt offenbart Stärken und Schwächen und bietet neue kreative Möglichkeiten.
Editor
Anschluss ist mein Kernhandwerk. Am Schneidetisch entsteht der Film neu – ich entscheide über Rhythmus, Tempo und emotionalen Fluss der Erzählung.
Producer
Anschluss braucht Zeit und erfahrene Editoren. Ich plane ausreichend Schnittzeit ein, denn hier wird aus Rohmaterial ein Film.
More in the lexikon
Related terms
Camera · Terms
180-Degree Rule
180-degree rule is the fundamental rule of spatial continuity, stating the camera should…
Camera · Terms
Eyeline
Directing · Terms
Coverage
Camera · Terms
Extreme Close-Up / Insert
Directing · Terms
Eyeline Match
Editing technique connecting a character's gaze direction to their point of view. Camera…
Directing · Terms
Jump Cut
Test your knowledge
Quiz
1. Was beschreibt „Anschluss" am besten?
2. Zu welchem Department gehört „Anschluss"?
3. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?