What is continuity?
Continuity within a film can be defined by how certain aspects are repeated identically across a number of frames. An example of this is if part of a scene were filmed during particular time of day then the other part of the scene should be shot on another day whereby the lighting, weather patterns, season and natural positioning appear the same. By doing so it ensures that the pattern of the footage is uninterrupted and therefore makes the actions within the film sequence more believable to the audience.
Why is it important?
Continuity is essential within a film as without it the images on screen become evidently unbelievable and false. If the continuity is not achieved well then when edited together it becomes more apparent that a majority of shots may be unusable due to their lack of flow. To reshoot these costs time and money and jeopardises the production of the film as a remake may be unattainable.
Who is responsible for continuity?
Within the production of a film each team member plays a role in the continuity of the project, however there is usually an overall advisor who is placed in direction of any major changes to the script, props, actors or makeup etc. This role of the script supervisor is close to every department within a films production to avoid any obvious mistakes being made. That being said the main responsibility for the continuity is everyone involved, continuity errors should not happen all the while all jobs are executed in their proper manner.
Department Roles:
Actors – Actors spend much of their time rehearsing for the ability to mirror scenes and the actions that they make within them. For example, if they picked a glass up with their right hand, then they need to do this again within every other take.
Props – They need to be aware of where everything goes exactly so that for example if a camera angle is moved to a wide shot from a close up the props within the scene remain in place. If a candle is being burnt for example then it needs to remain at the same length as the scene changes. These type of mistakes are incredibly obvious to the audience.
Hair and Makeup – This department need to be aware of how a certain person looks at al times. For example what changes happen to the hair/makeup throughout the day, if lipstick fades or hair moves etc. These are all changes that must be altered constantly to avoid any interruption within the footage.
What issues may hair/makeup artists have with continuity?
Shooting out of sequence –
Often during filming actors become unavailable for certain amounts of time, because of this factor if scenes need to be reshot within a film production it is down to the makeup artist to be able to reflect back maybe months to recreate the same makeup look. It is very common to revisit the filming of scenes and therefore being able to reflect on the makeup is essential.
Crew Availability – If a producer decides that a scene does need to be reshot months after its initial filming an acquire record of how the person looks is essential so that the new crew will be able to recreate it exactly as it was. Not having all the crew present will affect this as the designs would need to be shared across a wide body of people.
Product Quantity – As a makeup artist it is vital to ensure that all products are in date, in high quantity and can be used/replaced even if the product becomes discontinued by its manufacturer.
Hiring hair pieces or wigs – Often on large productions hair pieces are hired form many different sources, if a scene is reshot these will need to be re-tracked and styled to the exact same design.
How to prepare for continuity:
– Analyse the script to see what problems may effect the continuity with regards to makeup and hair.
– Prepare any documentation needed for each look, for example, hair charts, makeup charts, product lists etc.
-Make sure there will be enough products and equipment to last the filming time, taking into account there will be multiple takes.
Maintaining hair/makeup continuity during productions:
– Check each character’s hair and makeup at the begining, end and during takes.
– Ensure that appropriate continuity photographs and notes are taken throughout shoots and filed for reference purposes. Every scene number and day number must be recorded with the look.
– Have materials for maintaining the hair and makeup on you at all times.
– Recognise possible scripted and unscripted occurrences that might impact on performers hair/makeup and take appropriate action.
– Make required adjustments to the hair/makeup quickly and accurately at appropriate times during filming.
– Make sure all relevant people are aware of the changes made in the appearance department.
Key skills as a hair and makeup artist:
– Attention to detail
– Technical skills
– Ability to work as a team
– Ability to work under pressure
– Continuity
– Being organised
Fashion Film 