Operation Manual

Appendix D: Videography tips 319
Logical sequence of action
The shots strung together during editing must interact
appropriately in relation to the action. Viewers will be
unable to follow the events unless the storyline is
logical. Capture viewer interest from the very
beginning with a fast-paced or spectacular start and
maintain that interest until the very end. Viewers can
lose interest or become disoriented if scenes are strung
together in a manner that is illogical or chronologically
false, or if scenes are too hectic or short (under three
seconds). There should be some continuity of motif
from one scene to the next.
Bridging the gaps
Make an effort to bridge the gaps from one filming
location to another. You can use close-ups, for example,
to bridge chronological jumps, zooming in on the face,
then back out after a few seconds onto a different scene.
Maintain continuity
Continuity – consistency of detail from one scene to the
next – is vital in providing a satisfying viewing
experience. Sunny weather does not fit with spectators
who opened their umbrellas.
Tempo of cuts
The tempo at which a film cuts from one scene to the
next often influences the message and mood of the film.
The absence of an expected shot and the duration of a
shot are both ways of manipulating the message of the
film.
Avoid visual disjunctions
Stringing together similar shots in succession may
result in visual disjunctions. A person may be in the left