This document provides definitions and examples of various film editing techniques including:
- Continuity editing which combines related shots into a coherent sequence. The group plans to use this to transition between shots of a character isolating in the bathroom and then leaving.
- Jump cuts which make an abrupt transition between scenes. This will be used to transition from a character walking to arriving home.
- The 180 degree rule which maintains the same left/right relationship between characters in a scene. This will be followed in scenes between the main character and teacher.
- Shot reverse shot which alternates between views of two characters facing each other. This will be used when the character and teacher converse.
- Editing rhythm which uses pace
1. EDITING TECHNIQUES & PROCESSES
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[BrunaMartins & Erica Da Silva]
EDITING TECHNIQUES & PROCESSES
Editing
Technique:
Give a definition for each Editing
Technique and how it is used in
TV/Film:
How will your group
Make use of this technique in
your/their work:
Seamless /
Continuity
Continuity editing is the process, in
film and video creation, of
combining more-or-less related
shots, or different components cut
from a single shot, into a sequence
so as to direct the viewer's attention
to a pre-existing consistency of story
across both time and physical
location.
We will use continuity editing, by
using several related shots and
combining them, for example we
will have a shot where the
character is shown isolating herself
in the girl’s bathroom, followed up
by a shot of the character leaving
the bathroom.
Montage
Montage is the process or technique
of selecting, editing, and piecing
together separate sections of film to
form a continuous whole.
We won’t be using this
Jump-cutting
Jump-cutting is an editing technique
where a transition is made from one
scene to another.
The jump-cut editing technique will
be used, to create a transition from
a scene where the character is
walking along a pathway to the
scene where the character is
arriving home to an abusive dad.
Parallel Editing
Parallel editing (cross cutting) is the
technique of alternating two or
more scenes that often happen
simultaneously but in different
locations.
We won’t be using this
०180o
Rule
The 180° rule is a cinematography
guideline that states that two
characters in a scene should
maintain the same left/right
relationship to one another . ...
Reversing the angle is commonly
thought to be disorienting and can
distract the audience from the intent
of the scene.
We will be following the 180० Rule
when the character and teacher
are speaking we will have the
camera on one side only.
Splicing
A film splicer is a device which can
be used to physically join together
n/a
2. EDITING TECHNIQUES & PROCESSES
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[BrunaMartins & Erica Da Silva]
lengths of photographic film. Used in
film editing to make a cut transition.
Cutaways
A cutaway shot is the interruption of
a continuously filmed action by
inserting a view of something else. It
is usually, although not always,
followed by a cut back to the first
shot, when the cutaway avoids a
jump cut.
n/a
Point of View
Shot
A point of view shot is a short film
scene that shows what a character is
looking at. It is usually established by
being positioned between a shot of
a character looking at something,
and a shot showing the character's
reaction.
n/a
Shot-Reverse
Shot
Shot reverse shot is a film technique
where one character is shown
looking at another character, and
then the other character is shown
looking back at the first character.
Since the characters are shown
facing in opposite directions, the
viewer assumes that they are
looking at each other.
We will use a shot reverse shot
when the main character and the
teacher are having a conversation.
Providing &
Withholding
Information
Providing and withholding
information is when you try make
the narrative more dramatic by
giving the audience more
information or taking away
information. Often editors will show
someone looking at something but
not show the audience what it is
they are looking at. They withhold
information from the viewer and
this raises tension and suspense.
n/a
Editing
Rhythm
Editing rhythm is what editors use to
keep pace of the film up to match
the action that is going on in the
film. Slow cuts edits has a calming,
We will use editing rhythm as our
cuts will be slow to match the pace
of the film at the beginning where
it is a sad and depressing mood
3. EDITING TECHNIQUES & PROCESSES
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[BrunaMartins & Erica Da Silva]
bordering feel to the edit, were as a
fast cut edits has lively, aggressive
feel to the edit.
and then in the middle the cuts will
speed up as there is a
fight/violence scene and a lot will
be going on this will show the
audience the adrenaline.
Cutting to
soundtrack
Editing/cutting to soundtrack is
when the pace of the cuts are
motivated by how fast the song is .
What I mean by that is that the
editor will let the soundtrack be his
guide.
This is for more fast paced/action
movies our short film is more
about danger and awareness.
Transitions:
Cut
A cut is an abrupt, but usually trivial
film transition from one sequence to
another. It is synonymous with the
term edit, though "edit" can imply
any number of transitions or effects.
n/a
Transitions:
Dissolve
A dissolve is a gradual transition
from one image to another.
Generally, but not always, the use of
a dissolve is held to indicate that a
period of time has passed between
the two scenes.
n/a
Transitions:
Fade
A fade to black or the next scene. A
fade to black is the most dramatic
transition found on this list. A fade
to black is essentially a dissolve into
black. In film, a fade to black is used
to symbolize completion, meaning a
narrative thought is finished.
We will have a fade to black at the
end as the problem is over and our
character decides to get help, then
the screen will fade to black with a
soundtrack playing in the
background.
Transitions:
Wipe
A wipe is a type of film transition
where one shot replaces another by
travelling from one side of the frame
to another or with a special shape.
n/a