Continuity Editing

continuity editing is the main style of editing used by most professional editors. The aim of continuity editing is to make the editors work invisble to the viewers, to make them forget that they are watching a film or TV show so they can becaome more fully involved in what they are seeing. This should then make the experience more enjoyable because it makes the text seem much more realistic, either by heightening the emotional empathey with a character.
The viewer should not notice any cuts and all the shots should flow natrually and should there for be continuous, hence the name "continuity editing"

Continuity editing is unobtrusive and dose not get in the way of the story or plot line. The aim is to take the viewers mind away from their disbeliefs and get carried away in the story. The narrative has to appear logical, coherent and continuous

One of the key editing rules to achieve this is the 180 degree rule.
When two characters are being filmed facing eachother they must never apear in the same half of the frame. Each time a cut is made the characers must remain in the same frame or the continuity is broken. This will then make the viewers aware of the editing within the text.

Another technique used is a match in action cut. this is when two pieces of the same even are filmed or framed differently and are then edited together so it appears continuous.

There is also the 30 degree rule. When cahnging the camera angle to film the same event or object you must cut by atleast 30 degrees or you will get a jump cut, which will disrupt the continuity and make the viewers aware of the editing.

One other rule is to be aware of the eye line match between the interacting character. The footage must be matched to the characters eye line to keep the continuity.

Last but not least you need the basic shot types to establish the auidiences understanding of the scene and the emotional state that the characters are in.