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MastertheHollywoodTechniqueofParallelEditing

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Master the Hollywood

Technique of Parallel
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FILMMAKING

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VIDEO EDITING

BY JOHNATHAN
PAUL
FEBRUARY 24,
2016

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Parallel editing is a
powerful tool for lm
editors. Here are
some classic
Hollywoodexamples
of the technique that
will show you how to
pull it off.
Theresone technique that tends to
stand out from the myriad editing
techniques used by pros: parallel
editingaka cross cutting. This
editing technique is the process of
alternating between two or more
scenes that happen simultaneously
in different locations within the
world of the lm. With most lms
that utilize parallel editing, the
corresponding scenes will
eventually meet or have some sort
of connecting action.
In order to learn how to utilize this
powerful technique, lets look back
at the some of the best examples
from cinematic history. From there,
well determine the value of using
parallel editing, as well as when it
should be utilized. First,a brief
history of parallel editing.

A Brief History of Parallel

Editing
In just about any lm class, the rst
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example of parallel editingyoull

learn about is from 1903s The Great
Train Robbery. In this lm, director
Edwin S. Porterand his editor utilize
the technique of parallel editing to
build suspense and cinematic ow.
This technique was also used to give
additional exposition to the
narrative of the lm.

Image: The Great Train Robbery via

Edison Manufacturing Company
In 1915s Birth of a Nation, director
D.W. Grif th uses parallel editing to
build dramatic tension, as well as
build the relationships of characters
within the world. The use of this
technique was incredibly well done
in the lm, and its widely regarded
(in terms of historical value) as it
wasone of the rst lms to have
simultaneous action. However,
Grif ths groundbreaking
techniques would be overshadowed
by therightful criticism ofthe
lmscontroversial depiction of
slavery and racism.

Image: Intolerance, D.W. Grif ths

second lm after Birth of a Nation via
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Triangle Distributing Corporation

Obviously, Grif th isnt the only
lmmaker to use parallel editing.
Filmmakers such as John Ford,
Steven Spielberg, Stanley Kubrick,
Martin Scorsese, and Christopher
Nolan utilize parallel editing almost
routinely today.
So, where is the value in using
parallel editing and when should it
be used? Lets look at these two
questions and try to nd some
answers.

Wheres the Value?

The value in usingparallel editing is
that the technique adds another
layer of suspense or pacing to the
narrative. A great example of this
value can be seen in the The
Godfather. Here, director Francis
Ford Coppolaknew thata scene
where Michael Corleone stands
watch at a baptism could bring the
pacing of the lm to a halt.

Image: The Godfather via Paramount

Pictures
In order to showcase the contrast
between Michaels declaration and
what he has asked his henchmen to
do, Coppola utilizes parallel editing.
This increases the pacing and tempo
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of the scene and, in turn, makes the

baptism portion of the scene so
much more powerful.

The Baptism Murder...

Video viaMovieclips

When Should It Be Used?

Youre de nitely going to need a
budget to makeparallel editing
happen, as it requires lming two
sets of action that work together.
You also cant just throw a parallel
edit in a lm for no reason. Just like
with any camera composition or
editing technique, there needs to be
motivation behind it a reason to
utilize it.
A greatexample of the motivated
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use of parallel editing comes from

The Silence of the Lambs. In this
scene, director Jonathan
Demmeutilizes the technique to
perfection as we watch the FBI raid
a house they believe belongs to
Buffalo Bill. We even see Buffalo Bill
react to the bell in his dungeon,
which correlates to the FBI agent
ringing the bell in the secondary
scene. However, whenBuffalo Bill
answers the door, we realize that
agents arent on his front step but
Clarice Starling is.

Example of Parallel ...

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One of the most famous recent uses
of the technique is found
inInception. Director Christopher
Nolan uses the technique

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speci cally to help conveymultiple

dream states within the narrative.
Because of this speci c narrative,
nearly the entire lm is one long
series of parallel edits.

The Synchronized Ki...

Video viaThe Tykjen

Mastering this technique will come
in handy when you need to increase
the tension and pace of a lm, while
also giving the audience more indepth visual information for the
narrative.
What are your favorite uses of
parallel editing? Please share them
in the comments below!

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TomLim 24daysago

Ihavetoworkonmasteringasinglesceneedit
first!:)

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RichardJackson>TomLim
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HaIwasthinkingexactlythesamething
Tom:)
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MichaelMaher
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Mod >TomLim

Ha!You'llgetthere.Thanksforalways
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