Reversed footage on TV shows
This is a really odd one. I don't know when I started noticing it, but occasionally on a TV show they will need a pan across some vista for a few seconds, usually outdoors, usually to set the scene. And the director says "You know, that 3-second establishing shot would work better if we panned left-to-right instead of right-to-left. Have we got any left-to-right pans in the can? No?"

At this point they can, presumably, pack up a vanload of camera equipment and tootle off back to the place they were filming it, wait days for identical weather conditions (for continuity purposes) and get the required footage of a 3 second left-to-right pan.

Or they can just reverse the film. Not reflect left-to-right, but run the whole thing backwards in time.

This is fine and dandy until there's a flag, or a fire, or some smoke, or a waterfall, or some clouds, or a bird moving in the scene.

And then it just looks weird for 3 seconds. Just long enough to notice. This then breaks the flow of the narrative and I'm spending my time looking out for another one rather than ogling Billie Piper (or whatever).
( Amish Information Systems hates misplaced, commas, Thu 7 Apr 2011, 10:12, 2 replies)

Oh yes, I get that too.
I also look out for the left-to-right switches. They are commoner in still photos than in film but you do see a few moving ones.
When I see a bloke with his shirt buttoned the 'girl' way I shout 'HAH!' and point.
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Thu 7 Apr 2011, 11:34, closed)

My favourite
is in the film 'Anaconda'. At one point, the heroes crash into a waterfall in their big boat. Following some snake-based fun, they manage to free the boat and reverse out.

It's the crash sequence in reverse. The waterfall goes up. *facepalm*

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqhhk9_i06c

Though the film does redeem itself a bit later by having Jon Voight regurgitated briefly by the titular snake. Most amusing.
(SimianKid internet faffer, Thu 7 Apr 2011, 11:59, closed)