How Harry Potter uses an ‘Intensified’ form of Post-Continuity.

The American film theorist David Bordwell coined the term ‘Intensified Continuity’. His theories were further developed by philosopher and cultural critic Steven Shaviro in his work on Post-Continuity. 

Bordwell describes post-cinema as ‘impressionistic’. Referring to the action sequences in many releases as ‘blurred confusion’, calling the frequent non-linear ‘flurries’ of cuts, a ‘vast busyness’.

“Camerawork and editing didn’t serve the specificity of the action but overwhelmed, even buried it.” (Bordwell, 2002)

However, Bordwell makes it clear that this style of cinema doesn’t completely disregard the intentions of traditional continuity. He explains that intensified continuity is not simply used for the purpose of visual distortion but often to increase engagement and narrative coherence.

“It still tells stories in the classical manner—only more so, with a vengeance.” (Shaviro, 2011)

In the scene above from ‘Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix’ a vast array of technology and filming conventions are used to create an ‘intensified’ form of Post Continuity which generates unique ‘structures of feeling’.

‘Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix’ is an exemplary instance of what I would call ‘Intensified Post-Continuity’. Through the use of special effects, digital technology and non-representational visuals depicting wizards and magic, a spectacle of mystical scenes is created that allows the viewer to immerse themselves in an alternate reality with no limits.

The ability to open the door into a world of enchantment is crucial to the experience. Without the use of special effects, rapid cuts between camera angles, non-linear editing and fluid floating camera transitions, it would be impossible to create a space for the audience to suspend their disbelief and immerse themselves in the visuals and narrative quite like Harry Potter.

Drew Cahane – 33607240

References:

1. Bordwell, D. (2002). “Intensified Continuity Visual Style” in Contemporary American Film. Film Quarterly, 55(3)
2. MoviesHD (2017). Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix (Dumbledore’s Return) 4K. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMeFnwsxh6s.
3. Nanayakkara, D. (2019). “Exploring the Concept of ‘Intensified Continuity” in Modern Filmmaking [online] Available at: https://medium.com/@dylannanayakkara/exploring-the-concept-of-intensifiedcontinuityinmodernfilmmaking-7c1c16262a33#:~:text=If%20traditional%20continuity%20editing%20attempted. 
4. Shaviro, S. (2011). “Post-Continuity” in The Pinocchio Theory. [online] Available at: http://www.shaviro.com/Blog/?p=1003 [Accessed 20 Nov. 2022]. 
5. Shaviro, S. (2016). “Post-Continuity: An Introduction” in Post-Cinema: Theorizing 21st-Century Film, Reframe Books, 2016. pp. 51-64.