Applying principles of continuity into film

Never Back Down
Never Back Down (up to 07:00)

The first specific continuity application is when Jake Tyler (the 'protagonist') grabs his rival's helmet; we see match on action as the first shot shows him grabbing the helmet, and the next shot is a close up of him grabbing the helmet. We also see an eyeline match as the camera cuts from close ups of face to face.

This scene is followed by a conversation between the protagonist and his friend. Lots of continuity techniques are applied here. The eyeline match is perfectly demonstrated, for example at (3:21), we see Jake Tyler looking up at his friend and their eyelines are matched perfectly. The 180 degree rule is well applied as the camera never crosses the 'invisible line' and it always stays on the same side, so we never see one perspective which could confuse the audience. Shot/reverse/shot is used perfectly in this conversation. The scene begins with a master shot of the dressing room, it then moves straight into the conversation and cuts from actor to actor.

We see an establishing shot of the house in the next scene, so that shot order is applied as the audience should have a sense of where the scene is taking part. Lots of eyeline matches are used, between Jake's younger brother, himself and his mother. The 180 degree rules is used again, as we never see the wall opposite the kitchen.

Shot order is used in the next scene, as there isn't a huge jump between shots; there is a cut between a Long Shot to a Mid Shot/ Mid Close Up. The shots also stay quite constant (most are mid shots), hence not making the scene too confusing. Match on action is used at (5:42), when Jake Tyler reaches for the box we see him move his arm towards the box and in the next shot we see him put the clothes back into the box.

The 30 degree rule is effectively used when the protagonist and his brother speak from behind the van. The camera angle stays constant as it flicks between each speaker.

In conclusion, this clip is an example of all the features of continuity. Shot order is maintained effectively, and the sequence consistently makes sense from shots, e.g. the zoom into shots at Florida is used well. The 180 degree rule is also maintained, therefore the viewer can always comprehend, and stay focused on the film.