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Film and Video

Editing Techniques
YOUR NAME
+Provide a simple definition of what film editing
is

Film Editing is the art, technique and practice of assembling

shots into a coherent sequence.
+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

Some early examples of film editing include Classical Cutting, Close-ups and parallel editing.

Classical cutting involves flicking between say, different characters in a scene as a way to
create further tension or provide emotional emphasis to the scene, a famous example of
cutting would be from the film The Good, The Bad and The Ugly where the three characters
are preparing for a shoot-out and the film keeps flicking between each of the characters as
a way of creating tension.

Close-up shots are used for more psychological reasons ands contain the head and
shoulders of someone in the frame and not much else, a good example of close-up shots
being effective would be the infamous scene in Silence of the Lambs when Hannibal Lector
is being interviewed in his cell by detective Starling and he says that he ate someones liver

Parallel editing or cross-cutting as it is also known involves multiple scenes happening at the
same time in the films continuity, but in different locations. It is used to create tension and
create emotional responses within the audience. A classic example of this is in Star Wars:
Revenge of the Sith when Order 66 is given and all the Jedi are slaughtered across the
Galaxy.

In terms of cuts early on in terms of film editing they were made in the camera, where the
cameraman would simply stop cranking at the exact end of a shot, and then begin cranking
again for the next shot.
+Describe the concept of montage and
juxtaposition [remember Eisenstein and
Kuleshov] and give an example

A montage is a series of seemingly unrelated shots one after the

other (this is called Juxtaposition) the film makers could create
an illusion of the passage of time as well as other effects such as
visual metaphors and manipulate the audiences emotions and
understanding. One of the most famous montages would be in
Rocky where he does his training sequence, this became so
famous that it occurred in every follow-up Rocky film thus
making it a staple for the series

Juxtaposition: Juxtaposition is the film editing technique of

combining two or more shots to evoke an idea or state of mind.

Montage: A montage can be a juxtaposition of two shots, but

more commonly refers to the juxtaposition of multiple shots to
depict an event often in stretched or condensed time.
+List the types of cut/edit you can use and
provide an example of each on in use

Cuts: Cuts are an instant transition within a film, for example in the good,
the bad and the ugly they flick between each of the three characters
faces as a way of creating tension and suspense.

Fade-outs/Fade-ins: a fade-out is where the screen goes dark and a fade-in

is where the screen becomes lighter or fades to white. the HBO series Six
feet Under has a title sequence that features many different fade-ins and
fade-outs and has thus become a favourite example when describing this
type of transition.

Dissolves: A dissolve in film is where the end of shot A is briefly

superimposed by the beginning of shot B, a good example of a dissolve
would be from Indiana Jones: Raiders of the lost Ark where the
paramount logo dissolves into a scene looking over the mountains.

Wipes: This is where a moving boundary line crosses the screen. Shot B
Pushes shot A off the screen. There are many examples of this within the
Star Wars saga in particular.
+Below, list the four relationships between shots

Editing and Graphic Relationships (PICTURE)

Editing and Rhythmic Relationships (RHYTHMN)

Editing and Temporal Relationships (TIME)

Editing and Spatial Relationships (SPACE)

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

https://videopress.com/v/mRPQxnCZ - Link to Psycho clip

Images may be intended to achieve graphic/pictorial continuity (e.g. no

colour clash, similarity of movement from shot to shot, formal elements
consistent from shot to shot)

Also the images may be edited to achieve graphic/pictorial contrast (e.g.

bold colour clash, opposite movement from shot to shot, formal elements
clash)

Graphic matches or match cuts are useful in relating two otherwise

disconnected scenes, or in helping to establish a connection between two
scenes. By ending one shot with a frame containing the same
compositional elements (Shape, colour, size etc.) as the beginning frame of
the next shot, a connection is drawn between the two shots with a smooth
transition. A famous example of a match cut is from Hitchcocks Psycho
and takes place just after a woman is brutally stabbed to death in the
shower. As her blood washes down the drain with the water, the camera
slowly zooms in on just the drain itself. A graphic match cut is then utilized,
as the centre of the drain becomes the iris of the victims lifeless left eye.
+For RYTHMIC relationships provide a description and examples of
its usage [with a weblink to a sequence on YouTube and still
frames where necessary you may add more slides if you need to]
https://videopress.com/v/lCmSSW2N - Bananas Clip link

Editing can control the rhythmic succession of shots by adjusting their

screen duration. A film may use long takes, or short takes, or a balance
of both, thus contributing to the tempo, or pace, of a scene.

Rhythm editing describes an assembling of shots and/or sequences

according to a rhythmic pattern of some kind, usually dictated by music.
It can be narrative or a music video type of collage, in either case,
dialogue is suppressed and the musical relationship between shots
takes centre stage. In Allens Bananas, the use of a vaudeville-esque
tune recalls Charlie Chaplain and early cinematic comedy. like Chaplins
Characters, Fielding Melishs actions and adventures continually result in
humorous misadventure, a particularly good scene is when he heroically
expels two thugs from a subway car. The length of the shots are
determined by the quick tempo of the piano recording: as the villains
abuse of innocent passengers reaches a climax, the shots become
shorter and shorter. The quick editing builds suspense before the hero
unpredictably rises and throws them off the train.
+For TEMPORAL relationships provide a description and examples of
its usage [with a weblink to a sequence on YouTube and still
frames where necessary you may add more slides if you need to]
https://videopress.com/v/EditMKFq - Rocky IV Clip
link
Editing can suggest dimensions of time, either extending time or
contracting time.

Editing can move time forwards (flash forwards) and move time
backwards (Flash backs)

Match on action is an editing technique used in continuity editing that

cuts two alternate views of the same action together at the same
moment in the move in order to make it seem uninterrupted. This
allows the same action to be seen from multiple angles without
breaking its continuous nature. It fills out a scene without
jeopardizing the reality of the time frame of the action. There is a
scene from Sylvester Stallones Rocky IV, in it we see a different,
more simple style of matches on action. The camera stays at
relatively the same level, with few zooms in and out. The matches on
action are used to keep the fight realistic looking, as well as to keep a
certain character in focus/in the centre of the screen.
+Define the Hollywood method of continuity editing and
why it became so prevalent

The Hollywood Method of editing spawned in the

1930s, when Hollywood film production became very
successful. The Hollywood Method consists of multiple
editing styles, which have been followed by other film
makers in order to cover the basics of film editing,
meaning it has become highly prevalent in the movie
industry. The Hollywood method has shaped and
changed as time has gone by, but it still follows the
same rules as before, except they are now defined to a
modern audience.
+Provide a description of a scene where the 180 degree
line has been used, how does it provide spatial
continuity/discontinuity?

The 180 degree line is the boundary which restricts a

cameraman from taking a shot that will result in loss of
spatial awareness. This is most commonly found when
eye lines do not match up, making it appear that 2
subjects are looking away from each other, whilst
talking to each other.

The imaginary 180 degree line is in place to stop the

spatial discontinuity. The 180 degree line can be broken
in some cases, but first the cinematographer has to
understand the rule and use the effect carefully. Not
following the 180 degree line rule can create confusion
and visual discomfort for the viewer.
+POV and identification explain how we are invited to
identify with a character through POV and shot reverse
shot

If an editor positions shots so that we see the character

looking, and then what they are looking at, and then
back at the character, then we have the ability to
identify with the character. This means that we
experience what the character does, and then get to
see the characters reaction.
+Provide a definition of cross-cutting/parallel editing, what
is so effective about this technique? Where might a
director use it?

Cross-cutting is an editing technique commonly used

when defining spatial relationships in a film. A time
when cross-cutting is commonly used is during chase
scenes, when one character is being pursued by
another. The shots will switch from different views from
the characters, this can include POV. This technique is
very effective as it allows us to feel the pace of the
scene, as well as give us much more to work with
mentally. It allows us to the proximities of each
character, such as when we recognise that one
character is gaining on the other.
+What is Ellipsis? Select an example and explain
how it works

Elipsis is the omission from speech or writing of a word/words that are superfluous or
able to be understood from contextual clues.

Examples of marks that are used to indicate an omission or suppression of letters or

words are:

--

***

It is most used as an indication that something has been left out of a sentence.

In informal writing an elipsis can be used to represent a trailing off of thought e.g. If
only she had... Oh, it doesnt matter now

It can also be used to indicate hesitation, though in this case the punctuation is
more accurately described as suspension points e.g. I wasnt really... Well, what i
mean... See, the thing is... I didnt mean it like the exclamation point the ellipses is
at risk of overuse.
+What is meant by the term intensified continuity? Why
do you think continuity editing has developed in this
way?

Intensified continuity: this is the standard approach to commercial film

making. Although it has changed smoothly over the years. Between 1930
and 1960, most films would be made up of 300 to 500 shots. Nowadays
most action films consist of over 3000 shots. The reason for this will be
largely due to multiple factors.

Storage: storage is much more readily available now, meaning there is

plenty of digital space to store film shots. We also have faster processing
cameras and do not have to worry about perfecting one single shot, as we
can now quickly check the shot and re-shoot if needs be.

Attention span: our attention span has deeply decreased, meaning that we
need to be constantly stimulated in order to not become bored. This is due
to how readily available everything is to us, all information, all sights and
sounds, whenever we want them, we can have them. Digitally of course.
This means that we have become accustomed to getting things fast, so
when we have to wait for exciting parts of a film, we become bored,
impatient and frustrated.
+
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?
+
First Clip: Out of Sight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te4G4EGjidM

This clip is from the film Out of Sight where two of the
characters sit and talk to one another.

Graphically this scene is very good as the camera matches the actions that are
taken in the scene perfectly, for example when the male character goes to sit the
camera is aimed low so that when he eventually sits we have him in the shot
rather than just his legs, this is a particularly good example as it shows the shot
matches the action taken. So overall the shots in this scene follow the actions of
the characters very well.

Rhythmically this scene is very steady as the music is incredibly slow paced and
tranquil, the scene is also very peaceful as the two characters are simply having
a conversation so there is no need for a fast paced piece of music or rhythm as it
would disrupt the tranquility of the scene.

Spatially this scene is fantastic as when it starts the female character is staring
into the window, when the male character appears behind her, so straight away
the audience are aware of where the two characters are within the scene. This is
also represented with the their eye movements as when she is talking her eyes
go from right to left, whereas when it cuts to him they go from right to left, so
you know they are both talking to each other. The scene is rife with small things
such as this.
+
Second Clip: Deadpool
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eP49zRmMFM
This clip is of a fight scene in Deadpool where he smashes into a
car filled with a group of thugs.

Graphically this scene is great as it is very continuous in the way that everything
happens at once but with lots of cross cutting to show whats going on, like when
he kicks one of the thugs out of the back of the car and he hangs on, whilst
everything goes on the scene will flick to shots from outside the car and in each
shot he will still be there struggling to get back into the car.

Rhythmically this scene is good as it is very fast paced, which is down to the pacing
between the shots and the music, which have both been combined in order to
create an incredibly dramatic fight scene.

Spatially the scene is fantastic as it makes sure that the audience knows exactly
where everyone is in the fight, as well as what they are doing at the time.
Throughout the scene the camera will flick between the location and actions of
each individual person within the scene. Also towards the end when everything
slows down the camera flicks to each person again showing what they are doing
before everything goes crazy.

Temporally the scene is awesome as the shots are very short, meaning that the
entirety of the scene is very fast paced and dynamic, however the scene changes
when everything goes slow motion in what seems to be a very long, dragged-out