Continuity Editing

Continuity editing, is the style of filming that is favoured by the majority of Hollywood editors. The purpose of continuity editing is to ensure that the work of the editor(s) is as invisible as possible, so as to make you forget that you are watching a film or a TV show so you can immerse yourself within the programme. The goal is to make the experience more realistic and enjoyable to watch, which therefore increases sympathy made with the characters in the programme. Editors hope that because of this, the story line becomes more believable and the viewers forget that what they are watching is actually scripted. The audience shouldn't notice the cuts and the shots should flow naturally.

Continuity editing is linked to classical Hollywood narrative and doesn’t get in the way of telling the story; it’s almost invisible. Its purpose is to get the audience to suspend their disbelief and get carried away in the story.