Continuity and its importance in the TV & Film Industry

Continuity is the consistency in a film or television programme. This can include a number of things from the appearance of the characters to objects throughout a scene. Often a scene is recorded in a number of takes and from different angles and sometimes across a number of days/weeks, the continuity in the scene is the idea that it should look exactly the same each time it is recorded.

Often when filming productions, the scenes are not recorded in a chronological order and therefore most productions have someone assigned to the specific role of making note and analysing the scenes to ensure that everything is recreated to be exactly the same as it has been previously. The continuity in the film and TV industry is crucial in making the scene appear realistic, if a characters makeup is done for a day of filming and then it is recreated at a different point in time in order for the scene to be effective and realistic the makeup, hair, props etc. must be placed in the exact same way it was when previously recorded, this is simply part of making an effective production for the viewers watching.

Here are some examples of discrepancies in continuity in various productions ... 

Pictures courtesy of Google Images

Although most viewers watching these programmes/films for the first time are unlikely to spot these mistakes unless trained too, it shows a poor level of production and professionalism. Consistency in recording is important in helping the viewer to become engrossed and feel a part of what their watching and by having mistakes or a lack of continuity in a piece it can restrict the audience and make them more aware that they are watching something that is not real.