The above clip is taken from Jurassic Park 3, it is a fight scene between a T-Rex and Spinosaurus and I believe the continuity editing to be very good in this scene.
The continuity editing is very good in this clip and makes the viewer think they are seeing continuous action. This is done partly through having consistent lighting, set and character appearances throughout. However, as it is a very fast paced scene these factors aren't as noticeable, and the good continuity editing can be attributed more so to the camera and editing skills as analysed below:
Shot Order: The camera is the bystander and audience in this scene and therefore changes views just how you would expect to if you were in that scene, which is via a progression of shots. For example, not once do you see a long shot cut to a close up as that doesn't make logical sense to the audience and will only disorientate them. Instead you see a long shot progress to a mid shot as can be seen when the characters are running away.
180 Degree Rule: This clip never breaks the 180 degree rule as the camera is always on one side of the action, and never crosses the line of vision between the two dinosaurs. This can be seen very clearly by how the T-Rex is always the one on the left - the only time this changes is at 0:37 but the camera still stays on one side of the direction of motion therefore avoiding disorientating the audience and keeping them immersed in the film.
30 Degree Rule: With every shot the camera changes angle by more than 30 degrees, this gives the audience a different perspective whilst also ensuring there are no jump cuts that could ruin the illusion of continuous action which would in turn ruin the immersion for the audience.
Eyeline Match: Eyeline match is done very well in this clip, not just for continuity but to add realism and danger to the scene. This can be seen in the third shot where everyone is staring up in fear at the T-Rex. This makes logical sense to the audience as the smaller character looking up at the big character is to be expected. This therefore gratifies the audience's needs and lets them view the scene as continuous action.
Match on Action: Match on action is arguably the most important continuity rule as nothing will ruin the illusion of continuous action more than if an action is repeated or if part of an action is simply missing. However, my chosen clip is a perfect example of match on action. There's no repeated actions or missing actions, instead everything can be seen even through the cuts which makes the audience they're actually there seeing everything. An example of a good match on action can be seen at 0:38-0:39 where the T-Rex is dragging the Spinosaurus around.
Shot/Reverse/Shot: This technique is used in the first 13 seconds of the clip when the group of people see the T-Rex and realise the danger for the first time. Doing this makes the audience a bystander and allows them to see the reactions of the two subjects, because the reactions make logical sense this then immerses the bystander and makes it a more enjoyable viewing experience.
Seamless editing is achieved in this clip as all the rules are followed very well giving the illusion of continuous action. The biggest contributor to seamless editing is the match on action as it doesn't make the cuts too obvious . Finally, the progression of shots logically and gradually takes you closer/further which makes the editing seem seamless.
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