Editing Techniques

Writing framework for creating 'specific' examples...

"For example, in the scene in ________ where _______ happens, the editing technique _______ is used. The effect of this on the audience is __________"

Fast cutting & Jump Cutting

An abrupt transition from one camera angle to another, very rapid, and very short in duration. Often used in fight or chase scenes to inject pace, intensity.

Model answer extract...

During the fight scene, the director cuts frantically between different kinds of camera angles. For example, most of the fight scene is shown through a series of mid shots. This is to ensure the audience see the muscular torso and close combat fighting skill, where body shots are important. However, there are many occasions where the jump cuts change rapidly (and often) to extreme close ups, which are much closer to the protagonist, and show intricate details of the fight. In Gladiator, it is the wide open wound when the blade hits the chest and arm. This is to emphasise the brutality to the audience, and possible make them unconformable.

Montage

• Compresses, or denotes a passage of time.

• Informs the audience and provides opportunity for backstory.

• Also used on 'previously on' for TV shows (then evaluate why this might be a bad point)

• 'Best bits' on reality TV shows (then evaluate why this might be a bad point)

• Movie trailers

• Often overused, often parodied.

Think of Rocky (1976) and the famous training montage.

That whole sequence could be replaced by a title card reading "After weeks of training, Rocky improved his stamina and perfected his boxing skills."

This short sentence essentially summarises that 3-minute montage… but which one do you think is more cinematic? Which one would make you have goose bumps?

We learn that the character is...

• Poor / working class / represents community.

We learn that the character...

• is determined / motivated / resilient / positivity / hardworking.

• is improving / endurance.

• has goals.

• is known in the community / recognised / reputation / respected / charismatic.

• is laid back.

• is a loner.

• doesn't complain.

• is obsessive.

• is ambitious / successful / achieving / confident.

• is proud.

180° Rule

In film making, the 180-degree rule is a basic guideline regarding the on-screen spatial relationship between a character and another character or object within a scene. An imaginary line called the axis connects the characters, that shouldn't be crossed.

It is used in tandem with the shot-reverse-shot.

Shot-Reverse-Shot / Over the Shoulder

Shot reverse shot (or two shot or over the shoulder shot) is a film technique where one character is shown looking at another character (often off-screen), and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character.

It is used in tandem with the 180 rule.

MID SHOT or MS

Editing Pace & Shot Duration

Dictated by the duration of the shots. As in how long the shot lasts (in seconds) before it is replaced by another camera angle.

Long duration, usually emotional conversation or monologue.

Short duration, usually confrontation/fight, or intense conversations.

Editing Rhythm and 'cutting to soundtrack' aka 'editing to the beat'

'Cut to' and change of camera angle occur on the beat of the non-diegetic music. Often used in music videos. Rhythm changes from fast to slow, stops, starts...

• Slow, quiet start, tempo slow, infrequent cuts, long shot duration.

• Increase in tempo as race gets more intense, and closer to the climax. Builds to a crescendo or climax.

• Inclusion of ECU show emotions of face. Despair and disappointment for losers, ecstasy and relief for winners. Determination for both.

• Meant to put audience in characters' shoes, makes us feel like we participated in the emotions of the race ourselves.

Both change of camera angle AND body language synced with beat of song. As it increases, so does heartbeat and adrenaline.

Motivated or 'continuity editing'

A motivated edit is one that alludes to something not in the frame and then cuts to that item or event. You see it all the time in horror films: a woman is standing in a spooky place all alone and then hears a startling sound. She spins her head around and sees nothing. The sound then comes from another area, and the soon-to-be victim jerks her head in that direction.

Many call the Hollywood style of editing 'continuity editing' - the editing that is least noticeable to the viewer.

The general rule in Hollywood is that the viewer should not notice a single edit, because the edit helps further their understanding of the story.

Crosscutting / Parallel Editing

• Moving between scenes or locations.

• Gives an overview of different characters - their emotional reactions.

• Generates tension - implies a link or a collision between events and characters.

• Empowers the audience - generates the feeling that they have an overview of the situation - gives a godlike view.

• Good for foreshadowing - creating enigmas.

• Creates variety for the spectator - keeps us engaged.

Transitions, eg cut, dissolve, fade, wipe

• Cut to (or jump cut or smash cut if fast paced and strategically timed)

• Fade out / dissolve / fade / dip to black

• Match cut

• Foreground wipe (aka fly by effect)

• Using titles / animations to bridge scenes

• Camera movement, such as tilts, pans, zooms

Point of View Shot

A point of view shot (also known as POV shot, First-person shot or a subjective camera) is a short film scene that shows what a character (the subject) is looking at, represented through the camera.