Editing in Eastenders

This clip uses narrative continuity editing that is typical of British TV Dramas. There is the use of sound-bridge editing at the end of the shot of Ian (2.25), when we can hear Alfie calling out to his wife, before it cuts to the next scene of Alfie and the other characters in the Queen Victoria pub. The director uses jump cuts between the scenes to signify the change in setting. Also, there is use of eye-line matches (2.46-2.51) when the director edits the shot to show Alfie and Jean looking at each other while they speak to one another. Moreover, matched cuts (which are a type of continuity editing) are used throughout this scene when the director cuts from a close up of one person, to a mid-shot of another. These shots are hardly noticeable and seem to fit together naturally, ensuring that viewers are never confused about where the scene is taking place or who the characters are talking to. The clip also complies to the 180 degree rule as all of the characters in the shot are standing straight, so an imaginary straight line between protagonists can be visualised, which ensures special continuity as the characters never cross these lines. Furthermore, when Lucy is talking to her father (2.00), the rule of thirds is used. Instead of Lucy being placed in the centre of the frame, Ian is in the centre, sitting on the stairs and Lucy is in the first third on the left of the frame, as she is the one who is talking. By using the rule of thirds, the director makes the shot look more natural and realistic, which is very important in TV Dramas and Soap Operas as they are meant to be as realistic as possible, so that the characters and situations can be generalised to real life, in order for the audience to be able to relate to the TV show.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01p8rss/EastEnders_03_12_2012/ 2.00 4.00