Film EditingEditing is undertaking in post-production ( post-prod) where the footage shot during production is ‘cut up’ and reassembled to tell the story.

There are two basic types of editing: Non-continuity, and continuity.

Continuity editing is where it emphasizes smooth, coherent transitions between shots. It can also be called ‘invisible editing.’ Some techniques include: 180 degree rule and shot-reverse-shot.

Non-continuity editing is where the editing calls attention to itself. Some techniques include: jump cuts, freeze frame, and repetition.

There are also different types of transitions from clip to clip that you may use.

Cut - a simple transition which is used frequently in films. When one shot is immediately replaced by another.Dissolve - an outgoing shot gradually disappearing while an incoming one appears. Fade - fade out: gradual darkening of a shot until the image disappears. fade in: dark screen gradually getting brighter. Wipe - One picture chasing another off the screen.

To maintain continuity, we must edit and shoot in accordance with these following points.

180 degree rule - when the characters must remain in the same position in the action. This makes the shot more realistic and will not confuse the audience about what is happening and where the characters are.

Match on action - Two shots are used in this process. The first shot shows the action starting, and the second shot shows the completed action. For example, if someone is lifting a gun, the first shot may show someone starting to lift the gun, and the second shot will show the gun being held horizontally.

Cross cutting - Two completely different stories that are cut up and put in between each other. These are edited together in post-production.

Shot reverse shot - Two images in order, usually used to show a conversation between two people. This can also be used to show a facial expression in response to something happening or something that someone has just said.

Eye line match - A shot of someone looking at something, then followed by a shot of what the person was looking at. For example, a shot of a man looking down at something, then a shot of a gun on a table.