Continuity
The form convention that makes cuts invisible: the 180° system, matches, and the grammar audiences never notice learning.
- form conventions
- reference
- form-convention
The system that lets hundreds of shots read as continuous space and time: the 180° line, shot/reverse shot, eyeline match, match on action, establishing and re-establishing. Continuity is the water cinema swims in — the convention so successful it disappears.
What to look for
You mostly look for breaches: crossed lines, jump cuts, mismatches — and ask whether they're errors or arguments. Note also this site's namesake: shot/reverse shot is continuity's handshake, two looks stitched into a conversation.
Canonical cases
Psycho — the shower scene obeys continuity's letter while shredding its spirit — space stays legible while rhythm turns violent (Montage). Psycho — the parlour scene is a textbook shot/reverse-shot duet whose framing slowly stops matching, which is the point.
Sources
Bordwell & Thompson — Film Art — the standard account of the continuity system.