Importance of Continuity

In the production of films and TV programmes, the scenes are often shot out of sequence. This can be due to the availability of actors, the weather, or access to locations. It is not unlikely that a makeup artist will be recreating a look that was shot a year ago, when the director feels this is necessary. Members of the crew, including the makeup artists, could be working on other projects by the time the director chooses to re-shoot specific scenes, so people will be hired to replace and complete the looks once again. It is essential to take continuity notes when the film is played back, so that the looks are exactly the same. The actors must be dressed in the same clothing, complexions must be the same tone, same makeup and same hair. If this is not completed exactly the same as the time shot before, it will be very noticeable when the film is edited. It is up to the individual working to take notes and pictures of the looks. If anything has to be changed, it will be logged, with a scene number, and day number of the film sequence. Continuity is clearly very important to the TV and Film Industries, as if there re continuity errors, they make the production seem less believable, which is ultimately the most important part of a production. Here are a few examples of continuity issues:

(Delaware Academy, 'Film Continuity And The Make-up Artist' (online), [viewed 22nd February 2015] available from: http://www.delamaracademy.co.uk/the-make-up-artist/film-tv-make-up/makeup-continuity)