WJEC, Media studies AS, editing, technical codes,

1. To develop our understanding of
technical codes through consideration
of editing techniques

2. we can analyse:
• how long each shot lasts e.g. longer
shots = more relaxed mood
• the style of edit
• the type of transition
Technical codes - Editing

3. Editing
Briefly defined:
• The ways one scene changes to the next

4. Why is editing important?
• The term editing refers to the changing shots
within a piece of film. The pace (speed) with
which this happens has important role in creating
atmosphere. For instance, if there is a car chase
on screen, the editing will be rapid, making us
excited. A countryside picnic scene, on the other
hand, will probably feature slow editing; we relax
and take in the details on the screen.

5. Continuity
Continuity editing
• Cutting shots to tell a story with narrative
continuity, helping the viewer make sense of the
action by implying spatial relationships and
ensuring smooth flow from shot to shot.
• Realism - edit is invisible so action appears real
rather than constructed.
• There are 5 key continuity techniques:

6. Continuity editing
• master shot/establishing
shot - This is our
establishing or long shot
(establishes the space in
which action is to happen)
• 180 degree rule

7. 180 Degree Rule
• It is a filming guideline that the participants in a scene
should have same left-right relationship to each other.
• Breaking the rule can confuse the audience.

8. Things are easier to
explain with pictures
In this scene:
• The man is always facing right
• The woman is always facing
left
• Mo matter which position or
angle the camera is shooting
from, the characters will
always be facing the same
direction throughout.

9. What happens if you cross the line
• If you move the camera
across the line,
characters face the same
way as each other
• This equals confusion

10. How do I cross the line?
• Show the movement
– This way the viewer wont become disorientated as they
will have see the camera move.
• Once the line has been cross, all shots must be from that
side of the line, unless you cross back over (again showing
the movement)

12. Continuity editing
• master shot/establishing
shot
• 180 degree rule
• shot/reverse shot

13. Shot/Reverse shot
• Used in filming dialogue / characters looking at each other
or objects.
• This shot frames the speaker as he says his dialogue, often
there will be a part of the listener in the shot, slightly out
of focus for example, the shoulder slightly out of focus.
• It can be point of view or over the shoulder shot.
• This comes in line with the 180 degree rule.

16. Continuity editing
• master shot/establishing
shot
• 180 degree rule
• shot/reverse shot
• eyeline match

17. When the
character
looks off-
screen or at
something we
can’t see, the
next shot
shows us
what they are
looking at.
This is usually
followed up
with a close up
to show us the
reaction of the
character – if a

18. Why Eyeline match is important

19. Continuity
editing
• master shot/establishing
shot
• 180 degree rule
• shot/reverse shot
• eyeline match
• match on action

20. Match on Action
• It is an editing technique for continuity editing in which one
shot cuts to another shot portraying the action of the
subject in the first shot.
• This creates an impression of continuity – visual bridge. The
view matches the action.
• It portrays a continuous sense of the same action rather
than 2 separate scenarios (although you may have shot it at
different days).
• Watch this scene from the Matrix

21. Remember:
• Wearing the same clothes
• Appears identical to the previous filming time
• Lighting (time of day/weather)
• Clocks in the view must be same time.
• Also if person entering on the left they have to leave on the
right.

22. Continuity
editing
• master shot/establishing
shot
• 180 degree rule
• shot/reverse shot
• eyeline match
• match on action

23. Non-Continuity
• Montage – giving information in compressed form
– can come under…
• Non-continuity editing – Continuity is broken
and construction is more apparent. Meaning
often created through juxtaposition and
metaphor shot inserts.

24. 4 types of Transitions
The process of cutting from one shot to
another usually involves a simple straight
cut or simply ‘cut’. However there are other
means of transition available to a film editor
• Fade to black
• Dissolve/cross fade
• Wipe
Watch the clip