Preliminary Exercise 16: Introduction to Editing in Film

i. Introduction

Welcome to my blog my lovely audience! On my last blog, I mentioned our team's creation of a short scene implementing a variety of sounds to show our understand of sound in film. Today, I will be introducing editing in film.

What is editing in film?

Editing in film is the process of choosing, manipulating, and arranging images and sounds in the post-production of a film. 

What is an editor?

An editor is someone who is responsible for assembling raw footage into a complete, cohesive cut of a film. An example of a popular editor in film is Lee Smith, who edited the famous movie Inception (2010).

Why is editing in film so important for a movie? 

Editing makes a movie POP. Without any editing, your shots would look bland, boring, and uninteresting to your target audience. Also, your shots would not be properly cut for each scene, so it would either make your scene unnecessarily lengthy or undeniably short. But, editing in film is not just putting shots together. It also includes coloring your shots. The color of your shots tells the audience the tone of the overall scene. You can use dark coloring to showcase a creepy & brooding tone, while you can use brighter coloring to represent a carefree and joyful tone. Aside from coloring, you can add music and sound effects to further accentuate the film's meaning. Visual editing is also a great way to make your movie more 'alive'. 

ii. Work

 

 

 

Editing Technique shot/reverse shot
Definition	A technique that is defined by multiple shots edited together in a way that alternates characters, typically to show both sides of a conversation situation.
Describe (2) ways editors utilize this technique
Editors use this to show a conversation between two characters. They do this by alternating over-the-shoulder shots, so we can better grasp the two characters’ point of view.		When editors use this technique, they may make certain shots longer, to emphasize the emotions of the scene.
What effects does the technique have on the audience? Discuss genre, emotions, and messages communicated by each technique.
This technique helps the audience understand the two characters’ relationship with each other.		This technique also shows the audience what the characters are feeling. We can see their reactions and that way; we can analyze their characters.

Example: “Marriage Story” (2019)

You can see the technique being utilized when the two main characters, Nicole, and Charlie, are having a huge argument.

Editing Technique: Eyeline match
Definition	A technique based on the premise that an audience wants to see what the character on-screen is seeing.
Describe (2) ways editors utilize this technique
Editors create this scene by showing a character looking at something offscreen. Then there is a cut followed by a shot that shows what the character is looking for.		Editors use the camera as the character’s eyes. It shows the audience what their viewing from their POV.
What effects does the technique have on the audience? Discuss genre, emotions, and messages communicated by each technique.
The audience gets narrative information from a shot like this. Without this shot, the audience would be confused as to what the character is currently looking at.		This shot can highlight the film’s most vital details, making the audience more intrigued in the story.

Example: Burn After Reading (2oo8)

Editing Technique: Graphic Match
Definition	Creates a relationship between two otherwise disconnected scenes using graphics, movement, and audio.
Describe (2) ways editors utilize this technique
Editors use this technique by ending one shot with a frame containing the same compositional elements (i.e., shape) as the beginning frame of the next shot.		This technique shows a smooth transition, which pulls the audience in.
What effects does the technique have on the audience? Discuss genre, emotions, and messages communicated by each technique.
This shot shows symbolism or meaning in a scene. With all kinds of symbolism in scenes, this can allow the audience to feel intrigued and curious, which makes them analyze the film.		Graphic match shots show the film’s creativity. When audiences watch creative films, they feel more interested.

Lion King(1994)

Editing Technique: Action Match
Definition	A cut that connects two different views of the same action as the same moment in the movement.
Describe (2) ways editors utilize this technique
Editors create this shot by carefully matching the movement across two shots. For a realer shot, the action should begin in the first shot and end in the second. While for longer action, the action should continue across multiple shots.		Filmmakers make the illusion that the motion continues uninterrupted. An example of this would be: SHOT 1: A character opens a door SHOT 2: The character walks through the door
What effects does the technique have on the audience? Discuss genre, emotions, and messages communicated by each technique.
In some movies, like horror, editors use action match cuts to build suspense. If used correctly, the audience will not know what is going to happen in the second shot, which will make them even more interested and filled with even more suspense.		This shot also has smooth transitions, so this makes the audience intrigued.

Example: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Editing Technique: Jump Cut
A single continuous sequential shot of a subject is broken into two parts, with a piece of footage removed to make the effect of jumping forward in time.
Describe (2) ways editors utilize this technique
The editor removes a portion of time from a continuous sequence, creating a discontinuous effect, often used to condense time or emphasize narrative changes.	The editor creates disorientation by cutting between visually similar shots with different compositions, camera angles, or scales, often used to convey a character’s confusion, emotional state, or sudden revelation.
What effects does the technique have on the audience? Discuss genre, emotions, and messages communicated by each technique.
In fast paced genres (like action) jump cuts are used to maintain momentum and keep the audience engaged, enhancing the energy of the scene. In experimental films, jump cuts are used to disrupt the narrative and the storyline, creating a sense of unpredictability for the audience.	Abrupt jump cuts mixed with moments of stillness can create tension and anticipation, heightening the audience’s emotion in the narrative. Jump cuts can also be used in a rhythmic or stylized manner which can convey a sense of feelings of joy for the audience.

EXAMPLE: The Ring (2002)

Editing Technique: Crosscutting
Definition	A technique that cuts separate actions together to illustrate moments that take place simultaneously within the narrative structure.
Describe (2) ways editors utilize this technique
The editors use this technique to show the viewer multiple views across separate locations.		Editors also use this technique to show large scale events that happen across multiple locations.
What effects does the technique have on the audience? Discuss genre, emotions, and messages communicated by each technique.
This shot is often used to build anticipation. The anticipation makes the audience more fascinated with the film. The anticipation makes the audience feel anxious.		This shot also can create drama in some films and can intensify the emotional impact of a film. This can create a sense of uneasiness for the audience.

EXAMPLE: Mean Girls (2004)

Editing Technique: Parallel Editing
Definition	A specific cross-cutting technique that creates a narrative parallel that the viewer may compare.
Describe (2) ways editors utilize this technique
Editors can use this technique to show extra information about the scene. Or sometimes it might not add information at all and can be used as a comedic addition to a film. An example of this is if one character is singing at a talent show, while the other is running a marathon.		Editors use this scene to illustrate similarities and differences for situations that occur at the same time.
What effects does the technique have on the audience? Discuss genre, emotions, and messages communicated by each technique.
This cross-cutting technique can help the audience feel engaged in the film as they watch all the different plots occur at the same time.		This shot generates suspense, which makes the audience more immersed in the story being told.

Example: The Godfather (1972)

This whole scene is a fitting example of parallel editing. 

Editing Technique: Cutaway
Definition	A shot that “cuts away” from the main action to any shot that adds visual information, and then returns to the original shot with new meaning.
Describe (2) ways editors utilize this technique
Editors utilize this technique to establish a scene of place.		Editors also use this shot for memories, daydreams, and to show feelings.
What effects does the technique have on the audience? Discuss genre, emotions, and messages communicated by each technique.
In suspense or thriller genres, cutaways can build tension by diverting the audience’s attention from the main action to something unrelated, keeping the audience on edge. In comedy genres, cutaway is used for humorous effects to provide lighthearted laughter for the audience.		A cutaway to a character’s reaction can intensify the emotional impact of a key moment, allowing the audience to empathize with their feelings. Cutaways to external elements/objects can create a sense of detachment, highlighting the contrast between a character’s experience and the broader context of a scene.

Example: Nope (2022)

iii. Reflection

Today, my team and I completed a word document that talked about editing in film. We learned more about the various kinds of cuts, like the jump cut, or the L cut, and we took inspiration from the things we researched. We equally divided the document between the four of us, and we completed it on time! It was not a very difficult assignment to do, but it was very time-consuming. I’d like to thank my teammates, because they were a great help in this assignment. Thank you so much for listening :). P is logging off.

WORK CITED

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Lannom, S. (2019). How to Use Inserts Cleverly like the Coen Brothers. [online] StudioBinder. Available at: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/insert-shot-film-example/

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‌Heckmann, C. (2021). The Power of the Cut — Editing’s Most Important Transition. [online] StudioBinder. Available at: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-a-film-cut-definition/

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Maio, A. (2019). Creative Uses of the Cutaway Shot. [online] StudioBinder. Available at: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/cutaway-shot/

Deguzman, K. (2021). How Important Is Eyeline Matching? Editing Techniques 101. [online] StudioBinder. Available at: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-an-eyeline-match/