A Brief Walk-through of Completing the Continuity Log for a Film

The Continuity Log is something that often is neglected during a no-budget film-shoot. The reason for this might be because of not having someone to fill the position. This is something that falls under the responsibility of the continuity team. As an alternative, since many small films might not have a continuity person, this is something that can be assigned to an assistant director. Often people might contact you as they are looking for experience on a film set but don’t have any to bring. This is also an excellent opportunity to let them get involved.

How the continuity log works is, for each scene you want to make a note of the scene number and take the camera file numbers and audio file numbers. Most importantly you want to get the notes for the scene. This information is then passed to the editor and the end of the shoot. The editor now knows to reference it when doing the edit.

For example, let’s say an airplane flew overhead during a take if you make a note that the audio had an aircraft in it, so the editor knows not to use that bit. Or if files get out of sync, you can make a note of it.

The sound log, video log, and continuity log is something you might have your Digital Imaging Technician, Data Wrangler, Continuity team, Assistant director, or just some random person you found to do it. The more takes camera, and audio files you work with, the more your editor will appreciate you doing this.

There are plenty of places on the internet to find templates for this if you can search for a sound log /video log or Continuity Log Sheet. Or if you would like, here is the one we use for No Budget: Continuity Tracking Once you find one you want you then edit it and make it your own, but I would highly recommend getting into the habit of using one as it will save time in the post process.

Also, we created a logbook available on Amazon. It is a basic version of the look that captures the basic information needed in one location. The book can be used for tracking the key items to be handed off to the editor. This will save on time and money for your no budget film since you won’t have to use your printer ink and paper. Plus, it stores everything in one place, saving on stables.

For a video walk-through of the continuity, log check out this YouTube video we did.