+

Film and Video Editing TechniquesEthan Payne

+Provide a simple definition of what film editing is

Film editing is an aspect of post production where you take footage, cut them into different parts that you want in the film, and fit them together in the sequence you desire. It is a technical and creative process.

+Can you list some examples of early film editing? Think about the different ways that film makers could combine shots using the technology of the time. Include weblinks/images where necessary

An example of early film editing is 1902 Erwin S Porter’s (Great Train Robbery). In this film each scene consists of one continuous long shot. In modern films each shot lasts an average of 2 – 3 seconds, however as this film is from the early 1900’s, editing is a new technique in films therefore each shot lasts around 1 minute.

+Describe the concept of ‘montage’ and juxtaposition [remember Eisenstein and Kuleshov] and give an example Montage is where a series of short shots are edited together into a

sequence. This can progress the action and theme of a film. An example of a montage in a film is from “Watchmen” 2009. This montage introduces the characters and tells a story about the Vietnam War. It takes the audience through an important part of time without showing the irrelevant parts.

Juxtaposition is where two things displayed on screen that are very contrasting. For example you have a shot of a rainbow which is joyful and colourful and edit in after a shot of a snow storm which is dark and miserable. An example of juxtaposition in film is the ‘Kuleshov Effect’. This effect is where Kuleshov has the same shot of a man with a blank expression three times. In between each shot he edited a shot of a baby in a coffin, a shot of food and a beautiful woman. This changed the look of expression each time on the mans face to sadness, hunger and lust.

+List the types of cut/edit you can use and provide an example of each on in use Match Cut: A match cut is where you edit too shots together that looks

similar. For example in “A Space Odyssey” 2001 where the monkey throws a bone in the air and the shot cuts to a space ship thousands of years later.

Jump Cut: This is where the film jumps forward in time. For example in the film “Battleship Potemkin” 1925 where the camera cuts to many different angles of the explosion the battleship makes after firing a mortar.

Cross Cut: This is where the camera will cut out of one action and cut to another. This is to show that the action occurring in the film is simultaneous. For example action films use cross cuts very often.

Cutting on Action: This is where the camera cuts when the subject of the shot is making an action. For example if a man is walking down a hallway and opens a door, the camera will cut when he reaches for the door handle and opens the door.

Cutaway: This is where the editing jumps from scene to scene to tell two story lines which are happening at the same time at once. For example this happens a lot in Soap Operas.

+List the types of cut/edit you can use and provide an example of each on in use Fade Outs: When the shot fades from the image to black.

This can identify the end of a scene. Fade Ins: This is when the shot fades from black to the

image. This occurs usually at the beginning of a film or the beginning of a scene.

Dissolves: This is where the end of one shot is superimposed over the beginning of another shot. It shows a change in the visibility of the image on screen. An example of this is used in “Citizen Kane” 1941 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTPctDhOCzE

Wipes: This is where one shot will push another shot off of the screen. This can be used when changing scenes.

+Below, list the four relationships between shots The relationships between shots in film are TIME, SPACE,

PICTURE and RHYTHM.

Editing and Temporal Relationships – TIME.

Editing and Spatial Relationships – SPACE.

Editing and Graphic Relationships – PICTURE.

Editing and Rhythmic Relationships – RHYTHM.

+For GRAPHIC relationships provide a description and examples of it’s usage [with a weblink to a sequence on YouTube and still frames where necessary – you may add more slides if you need to]

PICTURE: Images/ shots within the film are intended to portray a graphic/ pictorial continuity. This includes the colour clash, similarity of movement from shot to shot, and the consistency of the formal elements from shot to shot.

+For RYTHMIC relationships provide a description and examples of it’s usage [with a weblink to a sequence on YouTube and still frames where necessary – you may add more slides if you need to]

RHYTHM: Editing to rhythm can control the rhythmic succession of shots by adjusting their screen duration. A film may contribute long takes, short takes and maybe both. Also on occasion the footage and shots are edited to the rhythm of a piece of music.

+For TEMPORAL relationships provide a description and examples of it’s usage [with a weblink to a sequence on YouTube and still frames where necessary – you may add more slides if you need to]

TIME: Editing can show different concepts of time. It can show time being extended or contracted. Also flash forwards or flashbacks can be used in film to jump back and forth through time. Montage is a great example of using time structurally by explaining important moments without showing irrelevant footage.

+Define the ‘Hollywood method’ of continuity editing and why it became so prevalent…

The ‘Hollywood method’ of continuity editing is the process in which you continue to edit and insert additional shots to make the audience aware of what is happening. For example, when editing footage of a man walking across the room, the editor will include several different shots of this action from different angles on one side of the 180 degree line.

+Provide a description of a scene where the 180 degree line has been used, how does it provide spatial continuity/discontinuity?

An example of the 180 degree line is in the 1989 Rob Reiner film ‘When Harry Met Sally’. The specific scene I have chosen as an example is the scene where they are sat in the diner. We see three example shots of the 180 degree rule. Firstly we see a medium shot of the characters facing each other, one on the left and one on the right. After the director has used this shot he must ensure all other shots are on this side of the “line”. During the conversation between the two characters we see two different over the shoulder shots as the characters are talking while the medium shot of both characters is edited in between the over the shoulder shot throughout.

+POV and identification – explain how we are invited to identify with a character through POV and shot reverse shot

Shot – reverse – shot is an editing technique where shot 1 show the character looking at something, and shot 2 shows what the character is looking at. This can draw the focus to a certain object if used more than once and can set the mood for the plot. An example of this is in the 1960 Alfred Hitchcock film ‘Psycho’. This is where the character ‘Marion’ is packing her bags and keeps looking at an envelope of money on the bed.

Identification is introduced when shot 3 is placed into this sequence. Shot 3 is where the director will cut back to shot 1 which is the character. This introduces identification to the character as we see some kind of relationship with them and the object in this sequence.

+Provide a definition of cross-cutting/parallel editing, what is so effective about this technique? Where might a director use it?

A cross cut (also known as parallel editing) is an editing technique used to show two different situations in two different locations happening at the same time. This technique is effective because it can be used to explain a more in depth storyline and help connect related storyline. This editing technique is frequently used in soap operas such as Eastenders or Coronation Street. This is because of the several characters in the TV shows.

+What is Ellipsis? Select an example and explain how it works…

Ellipsis is an editing technique where you establish the end of a sequence or the end of a scene with a fade out or an dissolve etc. This is because the director wants to infer a jump in time.

Examples of ellipsis:

Fade out: When the shot fades from the image to black (usually the end of a scene).

Fade in: When the shot fades from black to the image (usually the beginning of a scene).

Dissolve: The end of one shot is superimposed over the beginning of another shot.

Swipe: When one shot is pushed off screen by another shot.

+What is meant by the term ‘intensified continuity’? Why do you think continuity editing has developed in this way?

Continuity editing has developed over the years as the technology has improved.

+Your Case Study

+Free choice case study

Your individual case study should describe the development of editing in film and aim to highlight the different aspects of editing discussed in the lecture [with examples]

You should select at least 2 different examples/clips to discuss – you should include links to these and use still images to support your arguments

Use the questions listed on the next slide to start your investigations

+Questions to ask

When any two shots are joined, you can ask several questions:

1. How are the shots graphically continuous or discontinuous?

2. What rhythmic relations are created?

3. Are the shots spatially continuous? If not, what creates the spatial discontinuity? [Cross-cutting? Ambiguous cues?] If the shots are continuous, how does the 180-degree system create the continuity?

4. Are the shots temporally continuous? If so, what creates the continuity? [e.g. matches on action?] If not, what creates the discontinuity?