Editing

This is the process of assembling and splicing together the various shots which comprise a film.

Some important things to think about with editing are:

Pairing - alternating one set of shots with another
The Editing Speed - how fast do they cut between scenes? Fast editing involves fast cutting (i.e. shots that are 1-2 seconds long). Fast editing generates excitement and anticipation. Slow editing (i.e. shots are 3 to 10 seconds long) has the opposite effect, and is often in love scenes.

Pairing

Here are some examples of pairing in films

Confrontation Scenes

This is pairing, as the shots alternate from one to the other
The shot speed is fast as they are in an angry fight
The angles used can be used to suggest inferiority or superiority

Cross-Cutting

A sequence of shots in which there is an alternation between two different locations. This sequence builds to a climax and ends with the two things coming together.

This is pairing
The shot speed is increasingly fast

Point of View

The shots of the character are alternated with shots of what he sees. The first shot identifies who the character is, and the second is what he sees.

Other Terms

Here are some examples of other editing tricks.

Montage

The editing together of a large number of shots. Used to compress time. They are generally linked by a unifying piece of sound.

Soft Focus

A slightly blurred shot to make the subject seem more attractive, romantic, nostalgic or dreamlike.

Hand-held Camera

Director wants to create a sense of anxiety or confusion, exploiting the unsteady movement of the character. A hand-held shot in which a character is approached from behind usually suggests that someone is being followed.

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