Which term describes maintaining continuity of action across shots and scenes?

Which term describes maintaining continuity of action across shots and scenes?

• A. Continuity
• B. Composition
• C. 180 rule
• D. Rack focus

Answer: (A)

Continuity is about keeping actions and elements consistent from one shot to the next so the scene plays as a single, uninterrupted moment. It involves matching actors’ positions and movements, props, wardrobe, lighting, and sound across cuts, so when a character moves or a scene continues after a cut, everything lines up as if nothing happened between shots. For example, if a character reaches for a cup in one shot, the next shot should show the cup in the same place and the hand at the same height, avoiding a jump that breaks the sense of continuity. This keeps the audience oriented in time and space and preserves the illusion of real-time action. The other concepts focus on different aspects: how a shot is framed, the rule that keeps consistent screen direction to avoid disorientation, and changing focus within a single shot, not across shots.

Continuity is about keeping actions and elements consistent from one shot to the next so the scene plays as a single, uninterrupted moment. It involves matching actors’ positions and movements, props, wardrobe, lighting, and sound across cuts, so when a character moves or a scene continues after a cut, everything lines up as if nothing happened between shots. For example, if a character reaches for a cup in one shot, the next shot should show the cup in the same place and the hand at the same height, avoiding a jump that breaks the sense of continuity. This keeps the audience oriented in time and space and preserves the illusion of real-time action. The other concepts focus on different aspects: how a shot is framed, the rule that keeps consistent screen direction to avoid disorientation, and changing focus within a single shot, not across shots.