@mytechtoday/augment-extensions 0.7.0 → 1.2.0

package/augment-extensions/writing-standards/screenplay/rules/screen-continuity.md

@@ -1,263 +1,263 @@
-# Screen Continuity
-
-## Overview
-
-Screen continuity ensures visual coherence and spatial logic in film and television. Proper continuity helps audiences understand spatial relationships, follow action, and remain immersed in the story without confusion.
-
-## The 180-Degree Rule
-
-### Definition
-An imaginary line (axis of action) between two characters or along a line of movement. The camera should stay on one side of this line to maintain consistent screen direction.
-
-### Purpose
-- Maintains spatial relationships
-- Prevents disorientation
-- Keeps characters on consistent sides of frame
-
-### Application
-**Two-Person Conversation**:
-- Draw imaginary line between characters
-- Keep camera on one side of line
-- Character A always on left, Character B always on right
-
-**Action Sequences**:
-- Establish direction of movement
-- Maintain consistent left-to-right or right-to-left motion
-- Crossing the line reverses apparent direction
-
-### Breaking the 180-Degree Rule
-**When Justified**:
-- Show disorientation or confusion
-- Dramatic reveal or reversal
-- Transition between scenes/locations
-- Camera movement that crosses line visibly
-
-**How to Cross Safely**:
-- Show the camera crossing the line in one continuous shot
-- Use a neutral shot (directly on the line) as transition
-- Cut to a new scene/location
-
-## Eyeline Matches
-
-### Definition
-When a character looks off-screen, the next shot should show what they're looking at from an appropriate angle.
-
-### Rules
-**Height**:
-- Character looking up → camera angles down at subject
-- Character looking down → camera angles up at subject
-- Character looking level → camera at same height
-
-**Direction**:
-- Character looks left → subject is on left side of frame
-- Character looks right → subject is on right side of frame
-
-**Distance**:
-- Close eyeline → subject is near
-- Distant eyeline → subject is far
-
-### Common Mistakes
-- Mismatched eyeline direction
-- Incorrect height relationship
-- Subject too close/far for eyeline angle
-
-## Match Cuts
-
-### Types
-
-**Match on Action**:
-- Cut during movement
-- Action continues seamlessly across cut
-- Creates smooth, invisible transition
-
-**Example**:
-```
-INT. KITCHEN - DAY
-Sarah reaches for the door handle.
-
-INT. BEDROOM - DAY
-Sarah's hand turns the door handle.
-```
-
-**Graphic Match**:
-- Similar shapes or compositions across cut
-- Creates visual continuity
-- Can show passage of time or location change
-
-**Match on Sound**:
-- Audio bridges the cut
-- Sound continues while image changes
-- Creates smooth transition
-
-### Best Practices
-- Cut on movement, not stillness
-- Match speed and direction of action
-- Maintain consistent lighting and color
-- Ensure temporal logic
-
-## Screen Direction
-
-### Definition
-The consistent direction of movement across cuts.
-
-### Rules
-**Chase Sequences**:
-- Pursuer and pursued move in same direction
-- Maintain left-to-right or right-to-left consistency
-- Reversal indicates change in pursuit
-
-**Travel**:
-- Establish direction of journey
-- Maintain consistent direction across scenes
-- Reversal indicates return journey
-
-**Looks and Glances**:
-- Characters looking at each other look in opposite directions
-- Maintain consistent spatial relationship
-
-### Neutral Shots
-Shots directly toward or away from camera:
-- Reset screen direction
-- Transition between sequences
-- Establish new spatial relationships
-
-## Continuity Errors to Avoid
-
-### Temporal Continuity
-**Script Supervision Issues**:
-- Props in different positions
-- Costume changes between shots
-- Hair/makeup inconsistencies
-- Food/drink levels changing
-- Weather/lighting changes
-
-**Prevention**:
-- Detailed script notes
-- Continuity photographs
-- Careful shot planning
-- Matching lighting setups
-
-### Spatial Continuity
-**Common Errors**:
-- Characters switching positions
-- Props appearing/disappearing
-- Inconsistent backgrounds
-- Mismatched geography
-
-**Prevention**:
-- Overhead diagrams of scenes
-- Consistent camera placement
-- Clear blocking rehearsals
-- Reference photos
-
-### Performance Continuity
-**Issues**:
-- Different line readings
-- Inconsistent gestures
-- Varying emotional intensity
-- Changed timing
-
-**Prevention**:
-- Multiple takes for coverage
-- Video playback review
-- Consistent direction
-- Actor awareness
-
-## Advanced Continuity Techniques
-
-### Cross-Cutting
-**Parallel Action**:
-- Maintain separate screen directions for each location
-- Use consistent spatial logic within each thread
-- Clear transitions between threads
-
-### Montage
-**Continuity in Montage**:
-- Progression of time/action
-- Consistent visual style
-- Logical sequence
-- Clear beginning and end
-
-### Flashbacks/Flashforwards
-**Temporal Markers**:
-- Visual distinction (color, grain, aspect ratio)
-- Clear transition in/out
-- Maintain spatial continuity within each timeframe
-- Consistent character appearance for time period
-
-## Writing for Continuity
-
-### Scene Headings
-Be specific about locations to avoid continuity issues:
-```
-GOOD:
-INT. SARAH'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
-INT. SARAH'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN - DAY
-
-BAD:
-INT. APARTMENT - DAY
-INT. APARTMENT - DAY
-```
-
-### Action Lines
-**Specify**:
-- Character positions
-- Movement directions
-- Prop placement
-- Spatial relationships
-
-**Example**:
-```
-Sarah sits at the LEFT side of the table. John enters
-from the RIGHT and sits across from her.
-```
-
-### Transitions
-Use transitions to signal continuity breaks:
-- CUT TO: Standard cut
-- MATCH CUT TO: Match on action/graphic
-- DISSOLVE TO: Time passage
-- SMASH CUT TO: Abrupt change
-
-## Category-Specific Considerations
-
-### Film
-- Strict continuity for theatrical release
-- Multiple takes for coverage
-- Detailed script supervision
-
-### Television
-- Faster production requires careful planning
-- Multi-camera setups need special attention
-- Episodic consistency across episodes
-
-### Live TV
-- Real-time continuity challenges
-- Pre-planned camera positions
-- Rehearsal critical
-
-### Web Content
-- Shorter scenes reduce continuity complexity
-- Single-location shoots simplify continuity
-- Jump cuts more acceptable
-
-## Best Practices
-
-### DO
-✅ Plan shots with continuity in mind
-✅ Use overhead diagrams for complex scenes
-✅ Take continuity photos between setups
-✅ Maintain detailed script notes
-✅ Review footage for continuity errors
-✅ Establish clear spatial relationships
-✅ Use consistent screen direction
-
-### DON'T
-❌ Cross the 180-degree line without justification
-❌ Mismatch eyelines
-❌ Ignore prop/costume continuity
-❌ Forget to establish spatial relationships
-❌ Change screen direction arbitrarily
-❌ Neglect temporal logic
-❌ Assume continuity will "fix itself in post"
-
+# Screen Continuity
+
+## Overview
+
+Screen continuity ensures visual coherence and spatial logic in film and television. Proper continuity helps audiences understand spatial relationships, follow action, and remain immersed in the story without confusion.
+
+## The 180-Degree Rule
+
+### Definition
+An imaginary line (axis of action) between two characters or along a line of movement. The camera should stay on one side of this line to maintain consistent screen direction.
+
+### Purpose
+- Maintains spatial relationships
+- Prevents disorientation
+- Keeps characters on consistent sides of frame
+
+### Application
+**Two-Person Conversation**:
+- Draw imaginary line between characters
+- Keep camera on one side of line
+- Character A always on left, Character B always on right
+
+**Action Sequences**:
+- Establish direction of movement
+- Maintain consistent left-to-right or right-to-left motion
+- Crossing the line reverses apparent direction
+
+### Breaking the 180-Degree Rule
+**When Justified**:
+- Show disorientation or confusion
+- Dramatic reveal or reversal
+- Transition between scenes/locations
+- Camera movement that crosses line visibly
+
+**How to Cross Safely**:
+- Show the camera crossing the line in one continuous shot
+- Use a neutral shot (directly on the line) as transition
+- Cut to a new scene/location
+
+## Eyeline Matches
+
+### Definition
+When a character looks off-screen, the next shot should show what they're looking at from an appropriate angle.
+
+### Rules
+**Height**:
+- Character looking up → camera angles down at subject
+- Character looking down → camera angles up at subject
+- Character looking level → camera at same height
+
+**Direction**:
+- Character looks left → subject is on left side of frame
+- Character looks right → subject is on right side of frame
+
+**Distance**:
+- Close eyeline → subject is near
+- Distant eyeline → subject is far
+
+### Common Mistakes
+- Mismatched eyeline direction
+- Incorrect height relationship
+- Subject too close/far for eyeline angle
+
+## Match Cuts
+
+### Types
+
+**Match on Action**:
+- Cut during movement
+- Action continues seamlessly across cut
+- Creates smooth, invisible transition
+
+**Example**:
+```
+INT. KITCHEN - DAY
+Sarah reaches for the door handle.
+
+INT. BEDROOM - DAY
+Sarah's hand turns the door handle.
+```
+
+**Graphic Match**:
+- Similar shapes or compositions across cut
+- Creates visual continuity
+- Can show passage of time or location change
+
+**Match on Sound**:
+- Audio bridges the cut
+- Sound continues while image changes
+- Creates smooth transition
+
+### Best Practices
+- Cut on movement, not stillness
+- Match speed and direction of action
+- Maintain consistent lighting and color
+- Ensure temporal logic
+
+## Screen Direction
+
+### Definition
+The consistent direction of movement across cuts.
+
+### Rules
+**Chase Sequences**:
+- Pursuer and pursued move in same direction
+- Maintain left-to-right or right-to-left consistency
+- Reversal indicates change in pursuit
+
+**Travel**:
+- Establish direction of journey
+- Maintain consistent direction across scenes
+- Reversal indicates return journey
+
+**Looks and Glances**:
+- Characters looking at each other look in opposite directions
+- Maintain consistent spatial relationship
+
+### Neutral Shots
+Shots directly toward or away from camera:
+- Reset screen direction
+- Transition between sequences
+- Establish new spatial relationships
+
+## Continuity Errors to Avoid
+
+### Temporal Continuity
+**Script Supervision Issues**:
+- Props in different positions
+- Costume changes between shots
+- Hair/makeup inconsistencies
+- Food/drink levels changing
+- Weather/lighting changes
+
+**Prevention**:
+- Detailed script notes
+- Continuity photographs
+- Careful shot planning
+- Matching lighting setups
+
+### Spatial Continuity
+**Common Errors**:
+- Characters switching positions
+- Props appearing/disappearing
+- Inconsistent backgrounds
+- Mismatched geography
+
+**Prevention**:
+- Overhead diagrams of scenes
+- Consistent camera placement
+- Clear blocking rehearsals
+- Reference photos
+
+### Performance Continuity
+**Issues**:
+- Different line readings
+- Inconsistent gestures
+- Varying emotional intensity
+- Changed timing
+
+**Prevention**:
+- Multiple takes for coverage
+- Video playback review
+- Consistent direction
+- Actor awareness
+
+## Advanced Continuity Techniques
+
+### Cross-Cutting
+**Parallel Action**:
+- Maintain separate screen directions for each location
+- Use consistent spatial logic within each thread
+- Clear transitions between threads
+
+### Montage
+**Continuity in Montage**:
+- Progression of time/action
+- Consistent visual style
+- Logical sequence
+- Clear beginning and end
+
+### Flashbacks/Flashforwards
+**Temporal Markers**:
+- Visual distinction (color, grain, aspect ratio)
+- Clear transition in/out
+- Maintain spatial continuity within each timeframe
+- Consistent character appearance for time period
+
+## Writing for Continuity
+
+### Scene Headings
+Be specific about locations to avoid continuity issues:
+```
+GOOD:
+INT. SARAH'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
+INT. SARAH'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN - DAY
+
+BAD:
+INT. APARTMENT - DAY
+INT. APARTMENT - DAY
+```
+
+### Action Lines
+**Specify**:
+- Character positions
+- Movement directions
+- Prop placement
+- Spatial relationships
+
+**Example**:
+```
+Sarah sits at the LEFT side of the table. John enters
+from the RIGHT and sits across from her.
+```
+
+### Transitions
+Use transitions to signal continuity breaks:
+- CUT TO: Standard cut
+- MATCH CUT TO: Match on action/graphic
+- DISSOLVE TO: Time passage
+- SMASH CUT TO: Abrupt change
+
+## Category-Specific Considerations
+
+### Film
+- Strict continuity for theatrical release
+- Multiple takes for coverage
+- Detailed script supervision
+
+### Television
+- Faster production requires careful planning
+- Multi-camera setups need special attention
+- Episodic consistency across episodes
+
+### Live TV
+- Real-time continuity challenges
+- Pre-planned camera positions
+- Rehearsal critical
+
+### Web Content
+- Shorter scenes reduce continuity complexity
+- Single-location shoots simplify continuity
+- Jump cuts more acceptable
+
+## Best Practices
+
+### DO
+✅ Plan shots with continuity in mind
+✅ Use overhead diagrams for complex scenes
+✅ Take continuity photos between setups
+✅ Maintain detailed script notes
+✅ Review footage for continuity errors
+✅ Establish clear spatial relationships
+✅ Use consistent screen direction
+
+### DON'T
+❌ Cross the 180-degree line without justification
+❌ Mismatch eyelines
+❌ Ignore prop/costume continuity
+❌ Forget to establish spatial relationships
+❌ Change screen direction arbitrarily
+❌ Neglect temporal logic
+❌ Assume continuity will "fix itself in post"
+