2. Storytelling e.g. engaging the viewer
What techniques are used to create this?
One example of story telling is when films use a narrator. This technique is used in the film โForrest Gumpโ. In
the opening sequence, the narrator (Tom Hanks - who also plays the main character) gives you some
informative dialogue about his past. This works well even thought a narrator is usually used in kids films as
children can get confused and not understand the plot. It works well because without it, there would be no
explanation to why he has the flashback.
How effective or ineffective are different editing techniques in creating this
area?
I think the use of voice-over narration is effective and can be used in film to help convey greater depth and
meaning to the audience. Voice-over narration can be inserted to help make a bigger impact and
understanding to the audience in a way that an actorโs performance or scenery cannot do.
One video example with an explanation of how editing has helped create it
Forrest Gump uses narration in the opening sequence to show the audience that he is remembering a memory
of him as a kid.
www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/374383/Forrest-Gump-Movie-Clip-You-Never-Know-.html
3. Development of drama (suspense)
What techniques are used to create this?
โข One of the most popular techniques used to create suspense and tension is a โMontageโ. In the film โRockyโ, they
show a montage of the main character training for a boxing match. To create this montage, they combined
several scenes and edited them together along with a soundtrack. By doing this, it speeds up time whereas it
would be much longer if you each individual scenes.
โข Another technique used for creating suspense is slow motion. This can make a situation very tense and build a lot
of suspense because it puts the audience on the edge of their seat in anticipation of the events that follow.
How effective or ineffective are different editing techniques in creating this
area?
โข Montages are very effective because they allow you to fit the same amount of action into 3-4 minutes as you
would if you showed each individual scene which would take up to 10 minutes or more. This is because a montage
keeps moving from scene to scene quickly.
โข Slow motion is most effective in action-like genre movies for example a fight scene, car crash, explosion etc. are
more entertaining to watch if they are in slow motion because in reality it would happen too fast for you to know
what just happened (It prologues the suspense).
One video example with an explanation of how editing has helped create it
The video example I have chosen is a montage from Rocky 3 which is 3:17 minutes long. It helps create the sense of
suspense because it shows the long, hard struggle he went through to train for his match and the satisfaction at the
end of it all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28vNyjOlbc
4. Relationship to genre
What techniques are used to create this?
There are many genres of film which all require different types of editing techniques and styles.
For example, action/thriller films need lots of fast cuts for all the dramatic, fast pace, action packed scenes like
fights/chases, car crashes and explosions etc.
Establishing shots are used in the vast majority of every genre of film. It is necessary to have this shot because
it sets the scene for the audience and gives them some context. This shot is used a lot in action films because
they are always changing location. In the film โThe Medallionโ with Jackie Chan, there are many different
locations featured within the space of 3:19 minutes in one of the chase scenes. For example there is a busy
high street, a cafรฉ square, a garden and then down a quite side street. Using an establishing shot or a long shot
including the characters updates the audience and tells them the route of the chase and how the characters
ended up in a certain place.
How effective or ineffective are different editing techniques in creating this
area?
It depends on what genre the film is but for example like I said before action films need establishing shots so
the audience know where the characters are and donโt get lost in context.
One video example with an explanation of how editing has helped create it
Here is Jackie Chan in a chase scene in โThe Medallionโ where we see him come across lots of obstacles and
locations. Editing has helped create it by giving you an establishing shot so you know you are in a high street
and then a close up of the face to inform the audience that there is alarm on a characters face.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC9aEdCb9_M
5. Creating motivation
What techniques are used to create this?
Creating motivation is a vital element of filming and editing. Without motivation, the film doesnโt achieve its
purpose and is boring and non-inspiring.
You have to keep the audience interested and โmotivatedโ to watch the film. If you have jerky shots, the
audience will notice and get frustrated by this and not want to watch it (demotivation).
Another technique is to leave the audience with cliff hangers at the end of scenes; maybe within a conversation
or an action. This builds lots of suspense which ultimately โmotivatesโ the audience to want to watch on and
see what happens.
How effective or ineffective are different editing techniques in creating this area?
The techniques I have mentioned are effective most of the time but they have to be perfect e.g. a cut has to be
exactly on cue every time to achieve the most effectiveness and this all depends on the editor and their editing
skills and how they perceive things.
One video example with an explanation of how editing has helped create it
This is the ending scene from the film โThe Italian Jobโ which leaves you with a massive cliffhanger and
therefore creates motivation because the audience have watched the whole film and the plot all comes
down to this moment and it makes you really want to find out if they get the gold or not.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZCaSyid4m0
6. Combining shots into sequences
What techniques are used to create this?
In all films, the editor has to put all the shots together โ combining them to make a sequence. By using
transitions and overlaying audio, this makes the sequence run smoothly. To overlay an audio, you basically use
the audio of one clip and use it for another clip, giving the effect that the sound is still in the scene but just in
the background. Using transitions can include, a dissolve or a fade.
How effective or ineffective are different editing techniques in creating this
area?
Using transitions like a dissolve can change the shot without there being a harsh cut that is noticeable. This is
very effective because if you improve the transition from shot to shot, the overall sequence is successful and
smooth. By overlapping an audio from one clip onto another, you create the feel of the sequence to be
multitasking and not just doing one thing at a time.
One video example with an explanation of how editing has helped create it
This is an example of a transition in use to make the sequence run smoother.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt5mcZFYLng
7. Creating pace
What techniques are used to create this?
The editor can change the pace of the film depending on how they want the audience
to react and feel. Then can speed up a scene by using fast tempo non-diegetic sounds
and lots of cuts to make an adrenaline filled scene. On the other hand they can use a
slow/quiet, atmospheric non-diegetic sound with few cuts and slow camera
movements to make an emotional/tense/dramatic/awkward scene.
How effective or ineffective are different editing techniques in creating
this area?
Using different sounds and the amount of cuts you use are effective because if they
are used right they can decide what is communicated to the audience concerning the
plot and characters emotion.
One video example with an explanation of how editing has helped create
it
This is a scene from Transporter 3 which is very fast pace but the editor has also used
slow motion to slow down certain shots because they want the audience to see how
complex and cool the fight moves are. Otherwise the action would be over too quickly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mlnu6KyQNi0
