2. + 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.
3. + 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.
4. + 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.
5. + 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.
6. + 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.
7. + 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.
8. + 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.
9. + 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.
10. + 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.
11. + 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.
12. + 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.
13. + 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.
14. + 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.
15. + 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.
16. + 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.
18. +
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
19. +
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?
