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Film Language:Editing
Most films use a system of editing known as continuity editing. Its
sole aim is to get the story moving along and get the audience
completelyimmersed inthe plot and characters.
In drama sequences,the purpose of editing is often:
Identification(with characters)
Conflict
Intensification
The function of this system is to make the drama as fluid as possible,
so that the audience are not aware of the construction process
therefore,you need to be especiallyaware to spotthe techniques of
editing employed during a textual analysis. Rememberalso that
sometimessound is used to ‘bridge’the cut and make it less
noticeable on screen.
The process of editing is more concerned with the ‘creation’ of
meaning rather than the taking away of material.
Editing Pace:
This is the speed and tempo of the cuts – slow can suggestemotion
and fast can suggesttension, action or uncontrollable events. This
gives an insight to the tempo and the feel to the sequence.
Editing often works through the juxtaposition of differentshots to
create meaning.
There are a huge number of editing techniques which filmmakers can
employ.
The most commonof these is the cut.
The cut is a: _the cut is the most basic tool of the editor .editing trims
the footage down but also helps to create/ Maintain the logic of a start
middle and end narrative
Always ask yourself why a cut has occurred – there is always a
reason.
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Match on action:
this is where the editor cuts from one shot to another view the
matches the first shots action, cutting on action gives the impression
of continuous time when watching an edited film.
Jump cut:
An abrupt switch from one scene to another, used to make a dramatic
point, or mark a period of time passing
Cross-cut:
A cut from one narrative or line of action to another. Mostly used in
films to establish action occurring at the same time in two different
locations.
Cutaway:
This is when the shot “cuts away” to often a reaction shot of another
character or piece of action often reinforces of togetherness or
confrontation
Reaction shot:
Any shot in which a participant reacts to events/action. Often used to
guide the audiences reaction to a scene
Matched Cutor Graphic Cut:
Is a cut between either two differentobjects,two differentspaces,or
two differentcompositions in which an objectin the two shots
graphically match, oftenhelping to establish strong relationship
between two scenes.
Other forms of transition are also possible:
Fade:
A transition to or from a blank screen(normally black)
Dissolve:
A slow transition as one image merges into another.
Both are used to suggesta strong connectionbetween the two
scenes involved
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Wipe:
An optical effectin which one shot ‘wipes’ another off the screen for
dramatic effect.
Superimposition:
Two or more images placed directly on top of one another
Montage:
A series of shots that are connected togetherto reinforce/create
meaning- intensifies and controls the emotion through collection.
Slow-motion:
The action literally slows down with the text which connotes
seriousness or a past event. Helps prolong tension, add style or
dramatic effectto the film
Long take:
This is a shot that does not cut away but lingers on one piece on one
piece of action, it is the equivalent of staring. It connotes intensity or
voyeurism
Split screen
Division of screen in order to show two or more lines of action
simultaneously – this can be referred to as parallelaction.
Effects are also added as part of the editing process – e.g.; slow
motion or fast motion.
