EDITING
What is editing?
1. cutting or splicing
2. joining together of different shots into a coherent whole
Editing determines shot length, sequence length, and filmic emphasis.
Editing can be invisible, or it can call attention to itself.
Film shots that are edited have two values:
1. The photographic image (singular) by itself has
meaning.
2. Images in coordination with other images develop new
or enhanced meaning(s).
Edits
1. Establishing shot – master shot / match shot, used as a reference
2. Match cut – creates continuity between shots
A. Match on action cut – one action mirrors another
B. Graphic match cut – exploitation of (visual) similarity
C. Eyeline Match Cut – cuts from viewer to what they are viewing
3. POV Editing
4. Parallel Editing – cross-cutting, film shifts back and forth between 2 actions
5. Shot/Reverse Shot – type of a cross-cut used for characters in conversation
6. Jump Cut – abruptly advances later into the take
7. Fade in/out
8. Dissolve – superimposition
9. Wipe
10. Iris in/out – circle closes down to black then back out
11. Flash forward/back
12. Freeze Frame
13. Split Screen – builds meaning through juxtaposition
14. Montage – sequence of shots that condenses time and/or creates associations
through juxtaposition
Two Basic Types of Editing
A. Continuity editing aka “Classical” editing
1. Promotes filmic unity
2. Tells a story in one continuous sequence (singular)
Establishes a problem
Confronts the problem
Resolves the problem
3. Smooth, sequential, unifies time, space and action
4. Heavy use of shot/reverse shot
4. Solidifies a 180 degree axis
Sitcoms (filmed on a soundstage) still utilize this
B. Discontinuity editing
1. Allows the viewer to make the continuity
2. Constructive – builds in meaning over time
3. Non-linear
Editing & the Editor
Editor’s Responsibilities:
During Post-production, the Editor
Manipulates footage
Constructs the form of the film
Creates continuity (or discontinuity)
Helps to realize the final vision of the film
Elements of form created by the Editor:
A. Shot to Shot Relations (spatial and temporal)
B. Rhythm
C. Mood
D. Ellipsis
Omission of time
End of scene to the beginning of next (days, months, etc.)
E. Separation
Cuts between two or more characters involved in simultaneous action in 2
different places
F. Patterns
Editors are typically creative, skilled at memorization, and possess technical training.
Hollywood Editing Process
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5.
6.
Edit dailies (the daily rolls of film shot on set) & choose the best takes
Assembly edit
Rough cut
Fine cut (typically sent out to producers)
Final Cut
Locked print – goes to the sound mixing stage
Standard Editing Procedures:
A. Linear editing with video – deck to deck; have to edit in a line (in event order)
B. Nonlinear – done digitally; editing can be “on the fly”
Nonlinear system advantages:
• quicker, more cost efficient
• if you screw up – you haven’t lost your film
• make several alternative cuts of a film
• all material stored on the computer – so it’s easy to get to and primed for
distribution