Sliding Doors: Continuity techniques

Sliding Doors-Peter Howitt, 1998

Continuity is extremely important in a film, as it is what makes the film real and believable. by create a seamless effect in the editing department, you shouldn't even be able to notice the editing, as so being more focussed on the story of the film

The shot starts with a clip of the band playing. The music continues to play throughout which keeps it believable. You see a MLS of Helen sitting at the bar looking sad and you can still see the band playing in the background. It then cuts to a two shot of James and his friend which shows they are going to be important in this scene. The shot pans across so that you can see Helen at the bar. James is talking and sees Helen and calls out her name. It then cuts to a MCU of Helen and her eye line matches that of James so we know she is looking at him. A cut to James introducing himself to her and looking in her direction. The camera stays within the 180 degree rule as it stays the side of the bar the whole time. The camera then track along the bar as James walk towards Helen. Helen is still smoking and drinking a beer which give the impression that this scene is happening in real time, rather than having taken hundreds of takes to make it perfect. Shot-reverse-shots of Helen and James atay within the 180 degree rule. You notice that in one shot behind helen a waiter is waiting with his tray for some drinks to be collected, and then the next shot of Helen you see the drinks get put onto the tray and be taken away, which helps create a seamless effect. During and OTS shot of Helen James truns around and points to the other end of the bar. A cutaway shot is used of James' friend to show what he was pointing to. This is also called a reaction shot. A couple more shot-reverse-shots for conversation between Helen and James cut to a MLS of the two of them Talking and laughing which gives more atmosphere to the surroundings. This sequence works well as it uses conversation techniques (with the camera work) well whilst not sticking rigidly to the rules (James turns around from the OTS shot).