Continuity

[Robbie Comeau]

Just out of curiosity.

I'm so in to film now a days, that I'll literally watch a film JUST for the continuity's sake..

With that being said-

Shows like two and a half men, or Kings and Queens, are filmed with muli-cameras, so says Wikipedia.

If there filmed with multi-cameras, that means in post, the syncing is no problem right? But I always see in the cuts they do, continuity areas (very minor) but some are noticeable.

If multi-cameras are used, then why does this occur? Cause maybe they have to use another shot that one didn't work out?

Robbie

 

[cyclone]

Often, the rehearsal (earlier in the day with a different audience) is filmed. If it's better, they use it - even individual takes.

 

[grinner]

cutaways come from all takes available and whe looking for a reaction from the dude listening, old tired editors often don't look at the dude talking. Bugs me too... especially when yu know they had a shot in sync that would have worked.
By in large it's why they use rotating editors. One guys gets tired of it weather he admits it or not. When that happens things are overlooked or missed all together as result of him thinking about where he'd rather be.
Then there are baaaad producers and directors. You've been there. All comfy in the edit seat ready to get your edit on. Dude lets you know ya won't be rocking today but waiting for his every direction... and calls for cutaways you know will be egg on your face. This is where old linear editor techniques come in very handy. There is a fine art to saying no and it revolves arounf never using the word no. The key is to do what you want but make it their idea to a point they actually think it really was their idea. Thier ideas are golden, it's yours that are hard to sell. Make it theirs and your golden. Example.... I quite recently had an old producer actually ask if I could do a page turn. Now, I wanted to laugh but he was serious so I approached with showing him some page turns then added a "I see you are going for a different transition here and I agree... so your saying if I cut out the principal, change the background, then wipe him away with a little glow on top... dude that's awesome."
Ego fully stroked, they'll always agree, confused as they still are. Now you've pleased the client, giving them exactly what they wanted... the best product their product could possibly be. You oppeased all their requests yet still have something you can show to future clientele.
Pushing buttons is only half of an editors job. People skills are as important as creativity.

 

[Amr Rahmy]

also, the one scene you see, sometimes is cut into few takes in the middle and glued in the wrong parts, mostly it's the writers and directors fault. the director is supposed to say were to start the take when it's interrupted, and the writers sometimes punch in too much dialogue in the middle of the jokes which leads to interruptions while recording the scenes. writers should keep in mind where the audience will laugh, and where they should not make small jokes between important parts of the dialogue, or right before a big joke. sometimes the scenes are too long that it can't be had in one take, which can lead to continuity problems.