Camera

Continuity

What is continuity in film production?

Continuity is the consistency of everything visible and audible across shots that will be cut together — wardrobe, props, hair, position, eyeline, screen direction and the state of the action. It is tracked on set by the script supervisor and matters because scenes are shot out of order.

The failure mode is specific and unfixable: two shots that will be adjacent in the edit were filmed hours or weeks apart with a glass at different levels. Nothing in post recovers it cheaply, so the tracking happens on the day, take by take, with notes and reference photographs.

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Continuity software

Reviewed 2026-08-27

Related terms

Take: A take is a single recorded attempt at a shot. Takes are numbered sequentially within a setup, logged with a circled marker when the director considers them usable, and identified by scene, slate and take number so the edit can find them.
Coverage: Coverage is the set of different angles and sizes shot of the same scene so that it can be assembled in the edit. A conventionally covered dialogue scene includes a wide master, matching mid shots or singles of each performer, and often close-ups and cutaways.
Camera report: A camera report is the log kept by the camera department for each roll or card, recording every take with its scene and slate number, lens, filters, frame rate, and whether it was circled. It travels with the media to post.
Slate: A slate is the board filmed at the head of a take carrying the production, scene, take and roll numbers. Its hinged arm is clapped to produce a sharp sound and a matching visual frame, giving post a point at which picture and separately recorded sound can be aligned.