+

Film and Video

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

Film Editing is a creative and technical part of the post-

production process of filmmaking. A film editor works
on the raw footage, selecting shots and combining
them into a sequence to create a finishes motion
picture.
+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

Early examples of filming editing can be seen in Life of an

American Fireman(1903) by, Edwin S. Porter and George S.
Fleming, they use a plot, action, close ups and dissolves
and fades in black ad then light. They use this fade as a
scene breaker which is a technique we recognise today. The
great Train Robbery was an earlier film directed by Edwin S.
It is clear to see art of filming editing has come a long way
since Life of an American Fireman which was created within
the same year. TGTR did not included close ups or dissolves
as it would have been difficult with the technology they had
to use. Personally, I found the editing used in the LOAAF
made the film more interesting and would have attracted a
larger audience. The audience would have realised that the
fade outs and dissolve were scene breakers.
+
Visual examples.

The Great Train Robbery. Life of an American Fireman.

No
Close
close
ups.
ups in
the
film.

Here the scene jumps Here the scenes fades into

straight to the next scene black to show a scene break.
(no effect)
+
PT2.

George Melies produced a film in 1902 called, Journey

to the Moon. The film uses editing techniques will know
today. The technique used in the film is dissolves
directly into the next scene. This technique is still used
today in modern films. In journey to the moon the
technique is used to transition to the next scene (scene
breaker) however, Kill Bill has used the technique to
show a flashback and revert back to the past scene.
Journey to the moon.
Kill Bill. (2004)
(1902)
+Describe the concept of montage and
juxtaposition [remember Eisenstein and
Kuleshov] and give an example

Juxtaposition is the film editing technique of joining at least two

shots to summon a idea or perspective. A montage is a technique
of selecting, editing, and piecing together separate sections of
film to form a continuous whole. It may also be used to mean
intellectual montage which is the juxtaposition of short shots to
represent actions or ideas.

Kuleshove did a experiment to show how juxtaposition works.

These shots establish the POV (Point of view) and reaction shot.

In the film Psycho the shower scene where Marion is murdered.

The montage consists of 78 shots that span 48 seconds.

+List the types of cut/edit you can use and
provide an example of each on in use
Cut.
A visual transition created in
editing in which one shot is instantaneously replaced on
screen by another.

Continuity editingEditing that creates action that flows

smoothly across shots and scenes without jarring visual
inconsistencies. Establishes a sense of story for the viewer.
+
PT2.
Wipe Visible on screen as a bar travelling across the
frame pushing one shot off and pulling the next shot
into place. Rarely used in contemporary film, but
common in films from the 1930s and 1940s.

Eyeline match The matching of eyelines between two

or more characters. For example, if Sam looks to the
right in shot A, Jean will look to the left in shot B. This
establishes a relationship of proximity and continuity.
+
PT3

Matched Actions.
A character action from one shot is continuous onto the
other.

Reaction.

Camera focus on something in particular then cuts to the

reaction of a character.

After action.
One shot showing an action take happening on screen
and the next shot showing after that action has finished.
+Below, list the four relationships between shots

Editing and Graphic Relationships [PICTURE]

Describes the relationship between shot and which they are
combined.

Editing and Rhythmic Relationships [RHYTHM]

Reveals the rhythmic pattern between shots.

Editing and Temporal Relationships [TIME]

Editing to show the continuity of several various scenes and shots.

Editing and Spatial Relationships [SPACE]

shots that tend to indicate the significant and the relationship of a
setting or characters.
+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]

Graphic matches are useful in relating two otherwise

separate scene. By ending one shot with a frame
containing the same compositional elements (shapes,
colour, size etc.) as the beginning frame of the next
shot, a connection is drawn between the two shots with
a smooth transitions.

Here from these screenshots you can see an Ape

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]
Rhythm editing describes an assembling of shots and
sequences according to a rhythmic pattern of some
kind, usually dictated by music. It can be narrative, as
in the clip from Woody Allens Bananas below, or, a
music video type collage, as in the second clip from
Sofia Coppolas Marie Antoinette. In either case,
dialogue is suppressed and the musical relationship
between shots takes center stage. The first shot is a
image of shoes and the last of some glasses of
champagne, these shots would have never had flowed
together if not for the shots in between creating a
rhythmic relationship.
+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]

Continuity editing: The Match on Action

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. In the Lord of the Rings, Arwen is being chased
by Nazguls. They show this by taking multiple shots of
the same thing but from different angles. From the first
shot you can see Arwen being chased through the
forest then the end shot shows far far she has come
from here in little time. The temporal relationship help
these shots flow together.
+
PT2- Temporal Relationship.

Another example of temporal relationships are, flash-

forwards and flashbacks. This happens a scene breaks
to a flashback then breaks back to present time. Kill Bill
has a good example of temporal relationship. The plane
scene fades into a flashback of a men that was
involved in her attempted murder.
+Define the Hollywood method of continuity editing and
why it became so prevalent

The Hollywood method became prevalent in the 1930s/40s. This

method is behind many of the visual conventions of video making is
a system called Hollywood Continuity Editing. Although this is
primarily about how you edit your shots together, you also need to
shoot the right ones in the first place. Essentially, the continuity
system is all about keeping the way you make your video as discreet
as possible, so the viewer's attention is focused on the content.

.This method is very old and dates back to the early days of filming.
The rules come from a simple central theme, dont confuse your
audience. Another key element is the so-called 180 degree rule. This
is particularly aimed at conversations, but also applies to motion.
For example, in an early day, if someone is walking from right to left
across the frame in a long shot, they should still be walking in that
direction in closer shots. Otherwise the audience may think they
have changed direction.
+
PT2.
+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 an angle between any two

consecutive shots should not exceed 180, in order to
maintain spatial relationships between people and
objects in any given sequence of shots.

The 180 degree line is in place to stop the spatial

discontinuity. The 180 degree line can be broken,
however, the cinematographer has to understand the
rule and use the effect carefully. Not following the rule
of the 180 degree line can result in confusion for the
viewers.
+POV and identification explain how we are invited to
identify with a character through POV and shot reverse
shot

When an editor positions shots so we can see the

character looking to what they are looking at and then
back to them. This helps us Identify with the character
and gives us more understanding of their reaction.
+Provide a definition of cross-cutting/parallel editing, what
is so effective about this technique? Where might a
director use it?

Cross-cutting shots are those in which the editor cuts back and forth between two or more
events or actions that are taking place at the same time, but in a different place. Cross-
cutting is used to build suspense or to show how different pieces of the action are related.

Parallel editing is also used to switch between two or more scenes that are happening at
the same time but in different locations.

Francis Ford Coppola used this editing technique in the Godfather. In the film Michael
Corleone attends a christening whilst he has planned the murder of his enemies. This is
shown by going back and forth through the scenes. The director has also added in some
subtle symbolization in the scenes to link them together. For example, the wipe of the
forehead from the gangster whilst going to kill the man to the priest wetting the baby
head.

Jonathan Demme used parallel editing to create a shock twist with the two related
scenes. There are two houses, one is buffalo bills (murder) house and the other is empty,
there are cops raiding a house and then the scene cut across to Bill in his basement. when
the scene crosses over again to show the cops raiding in on a empty house, here is when
the viewers realize the parallel editing ahs cause a shock twist between the two scene as
Clarice (cop) as gone to investigate the murders house by herself.
+What is Ellipsis? Select an example and explain
how it works

Ellipsis is the removal of elements of an narrative in

order to speed up the action. For example, an editor
might use ellipsis in a sequence about a young man
taking a drink by cutting straight to him as an old man,
drunk and alone. The editor has missed out the story
during the middle to speed up the action and show us
how quick the mans life has passed.
+What is meant by the term intensified continuity? Why
do you think continuity editing has developed in this
way?

Intensified continuity is an approach to commercial film making that has

changed through out the years. Between 1930-60, majority of films were shot
up of 300-500 shots. In todays film making, there are over 3000 shots in an
action movie. There are several reason for this.

Attention Span.
Most peoples attentions span does not last long so they will need to be
constantly stimulated so they do not become bored. We have come accustom
to receiving any information, sound, visuals as fast as possible. In results of
this when we have to wait for an action scene in a movie the viewers may
become bored and frustrated.

Technology.
Technology has come along way since 1900s. When films first started out
there was very little techniques going on. As seen in the Great Train Robbery
in 1902 there were no, close ups or fades etc.. Techniques like close up
intrigued the viewers. Televisions popularity rate has increased which would
often result in displaying more compressed images compared to the cinema.
+
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
 +
Film 1- Shaun of the Dead.
For my first film I have chosen Shaun of the Dead. This creates a
rhythmic relationship in the scene where they devise a plan to get
everyone the care about to safety. All the shots are showed are linked
together, you may even be able to guess what happens next.

There is a scene in the Shaun of the Dead where they bring in the 180
degree rule. By using the 180 rule, they introduce more main characters
to the scene, however because of the spatially continuity the focus is
still on the two characters having drinks. At first it shows Shaun
appearing at a bar from angle A. Then we see him mid conversation with
another Character at angle B, and for the final part of the 180 rule we
see another shot from angle C introducing two more characters. The 180
rule so help the viewers see who is in control of the Conversation. Here it
is the character Lily in control of this situation.

Here in this scene the camera shows alternate angles of the same action
at the same time. This is to show the viewers the depth of the situation.
Here a crew of survivors have to acted like the dead to get through a
square full of flesh eating zombies. The first shot is a close up of the
crew faces showing the unsurety and fear. The second shot is the crew
walking through the zombies filled square. The third shot is a shot of the
zombies, this is showing the viewers how much danger the crew are in.
the final shots shot is an aerial view of the pub and the square, this is to
show the extent of danger they will be in if something was to go wrong.
These temporal shots makes the film more interesting and helps it flow Temporal
together. Relationship Visuals.
+Visual examples.
Rhythmic Relationship

Spatially Continuous
+ 1)
Film 2- Iron Man.
For my second choice of film I have chosen Iron Man. This film
was made in 2008 directed by Jon Favreau. All the films in the
Iron Man series have multiple techniques that give the film a
sense of amazement and helps the film move swiftly together
from scene to scene. 2)
The first technique I would like to address is a camera angles and
pauses between two scenes. In the scene where Stark gives his
award to a posing Greek there is a little pause and then it cut
straight to the next scene from a different camera angle. The
little pause before the next scene helps the continuity of the
scene come together without it the jump between scene looks
very jarred. Here you can film a clip showing the pause taken
out; http 3)
://nofilmschool.com/2016/05/8-advanced-cinematography-blocking
-techniques-used-iron-
man (4.31-5.04)

Iron Man 1 also uses the 30 degree rule. This is a basic film
editing guideline that states the camera should not move more
than 30 degrees between shots of the same subject occurring in
succession. During the a scene at Apogee Awards it starts of as a
wide establishing pushing shot, this is to give the viewers the 4)
feeling they are stepping into the awards. Then we go tot a wide
shot, a medium wide shot and finally a medium shot. As we are
cutting from colonel Rhodes to colonel Rhodes the jumps does
not seem jarred this is because it was done in steps. Also, the
medium close up was shot just below eye level so the camera is
looking up at the character on stage, this gives the character s
sense of empowerment about them.
+
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?