2. + Provide a simple definition of what film editing is
Film editing is where you change elements of the films shot in
post production
3. + 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
In the past film makers had to use clever tricks to edit and and
effects to there movies they would play other footage in the
background to make it look like train was moving or a head was
growing later they used things like stop motion to create
monsters and great beasts
4. + Describe the concept of ‘montage’ and juxtaposition
[remember Eisenstein and Kuleshov] and give an
example
In the story the main character needs to get ready for action that’s
when they put them selves to test . A montage helps shows a
passage of time, your going to need a montage if you want them
to go from just a beginner to a pro your going to need a montage!!
even rocky had a montage before he was ready for his big fight.
Juxtaposition is a drastic change and example is a a defininition of
this is ‘to place two concepts, characters, ideas, or places near or
next to each other so that the reader will compare and contrast
them’. An example of this in a film is saving private ryan where in
one shot you are in a sunny American memorial site then the next
shot is to a cold rainy battle field in Normandy during the d-day
landings.
5. + List the types of cut/edit you can use and provide an
example of each one in use
Cuts: instant transition – changing quickly between one image
to another – Shaun of the dead uses this alot
Fade-outs: screen goes dark – used as an end shot in films or
when people get knocked out like in Pulp fiction
Fade-ins: screen becomes lighter – used as an end shot in the
ninth gate
Dissolves: end of shot A is briefly superimposed over the
beginning of shot B – soft transition between images like in
Saving Private Ryan
Wipes: a moving boundary line crosses the screen. Shot B
‘pushes’ shot A off the screen [George Lucas and Star Wars]
6. + Below, list the four relationships between shots
1. Editing and Graphic Relationships [PICTURE]
2. Editing and Rhythmic Relationships [RHYTHM]
3. Editing and Temporal Relationships [TIME]
4. Editing and Spatial Relationships [SPACE]
7. + For GRAPHIC relationships provide a description and examples of it’s
usage [with a weblink to a sequence on YouTube and still frames where
necessary – you may add more slides if you need to]
It is when you cut to something that has a visual similarity in it
but at the same time everything around the aspect has
changed for example in the film gravity when Matt Kowalski
there's a graphical and color similarity in the shots another
example of smooth editing is also in gravity in the start when
the Space debris hits Explorer its one long continues shot that
is very smooth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYDaIyfitn8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKW-Gd_S_xc
8. + For GRAPHIC relationships provide a description and examples of it’s
usage [with a weblink to a sequence on YouTube and still frames where
necessary – you may add more slides if you need to]
A contrast to gravity is a scene from slumdog millionaire where
is on the game show and it cuts from the game show to the
action that is happening to give a sense of suspense with its
quick cuts in contrast with gravity's smother cuts
9. + For RYTHMIC relationships provide a description and examples of it’s
usage [with a weblink to a sequence on YouTube and still frames where
necessary – you may add more slides if you need to]
A good example of rhythmic relations if films is in inception at
the end where the shots fit the rhythm of the movie and music
in the background and it makes use not notes the cuts unless
we are looking for it and this get use lost in the film and we
think he is back in reality but at the end of the film the spinner
makes use question everything and ask at what point was the
main character in reality and it makes look back at scenes like
this and try to spot everything out to find the answer
10. + For RYTHMIC relationships provide a description and examples of it’s
usage [with a weblink to a sequence on YouTube and still frames where
necessary – you may add more slides if you need to]
the only logic connecting the shots is that provided by Bow
Wow Wow’s song, “I want candy”, and a few graphic
matches. The sequence is a hallmark of Coppola’s style –
interweaving period decadence and frivolity with a
contemporary youthful exuberance – which is also distinctively
feminine.
11. + For TEMPORAL relationships provide a description and examples of it’s
usage [with a weblink to a sequence on YouTube and still frames where
necessary – you may add more slides if you need to]
Peter Jackson uses matches on action to give the chase a
sense of dynamism. The viewer can never assume what is
going to happen next, as the scene is constantly shifting. He
uses a very complex version of match on action, jumping from
close ups to far away helicopter shots and back without a
pause. It is almost dizzying, yet thrilling at the same time. Be
sure to keep your eye on the white horse; this is the character
we are following and although hard to see at times it is present
in every part of the clip.
12. + Define the ‘Hollywood method’ of continuity editing and why it
became so prevalent…
This is concerned with ensuring the smooth flow of shot to shot
and establishing a firm sense of space and spatial relations.
We can look at this in three ways:
1. The 180 Degree Line
2. POV and Identification
3. Cross Cutting
It became prevalent in films so that I would make it easier to
make the story flow from scene to scene it makes the events of
the movie easy to follow
13. + Provide a description of a scene where the 180 degree line has
been used, how does it provide spatial continuity/discontinuity?
A example of this is in ‘lotr’ with the battle with the witch king as
the entire time we watch it we are only on one side of the fallen
dragon and we never go past this180 degrees so we always
now where we are on the battlefield even if we cant see the
city.
14. + POV and identification – explain how we are invited to identify
with a character through POV and shot reverse shot
Were the film makes use of this we see a characters views on a
subject by showing his reactions to things and we can also
learn why he has this view and maybe even agree or disagree.
A good example is in Inglorious Basterds in the first scene
where the Jew hunter gives the audience the characters his
point of view as even though he is definitely the bad guy he
gives a good argument but with a warped perspective
15. + Provide a definition of cross-cutting/parallel editing, what is so
effective about this technique? Where might a director use it?
Cross cutting is when you cut back and forth from two or more
action scenes that are happening at the same time in the story.
A great example of this is Inception, in the case scene at the
middle part of the movie. The film is cutting from the van to
Joseph Gordon Levitt in the hotel its really effective as it shows
how one world impacts the other world and it makes a much
better more interesting scene that keeps the viewer thinking of
it for hours.
16. + What is Ellipsis? Select an example and explain how it
works…
From the film glossary: the shortening of the plot duration of a
film achieved by deliberately omitting intervals or sections of
the narrative story or action; an ellipsis is marked by an editing
transition (a fade,dissolve, wipe, jump cut, or change of scene)
to omit a period or gap of time from the film's narrative
17. + What is meant by the term ‘intensified continuity’? Why do you
think continuity editing has developed in this way?
David Bordwell claims that intensified continuity is the
general idea that, over the history of film, the average amount
of shots has increased, the framing of the shots are closer,
more drastic focal lengths are used and an increase in camera
movement rather than just stationary shots
19. +
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
20. +
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?
22. +
1st clip
This clip is one of the most clever example of cross cutting I
have seen in film as it uses cross cutting to show how one
world has a effect on the other. It parallels what is happening to
the truck to the dream worlds gravity and rules. This creates a
sense of suspense and is in my opinion to keep a flowing
narrative and action scene. This scene is in many ways
continuous as its graphically and spatially. It might not be in
same place or have same characters but it keeps the same
physics from scene to scene. So, if the van fall to its right the
characters in the other world will do the same. This is spatially
continuous because it acts like the other world ie the corridor is
like the van tipping over. See clip 01:19:00-02:31:00.
23. +
1st clip
This film and clip does not intensified continuity as most to all
shots are long
25. +
2nd Clip
This clip from Shaun of the Dead is not only good editing but
great editing to make a funny joke. It has been created to show
that the main character still doesn’t realise what is happening in
the world around him even though the TV channels are
basically telling him exactly.
The film is a continuous scene that uses the changing of the TV
channels to cut between various news and entertainment
channels on the TV watched by the main character Shaun.
They also use Shaun reflection in the TV which is a good way
to show his confusion at the same time as creating the joke.
27. +
3nd clip
This clip from the film Atonment is a very good as a example of
one shot but using all the conventions of high editing as it is
graphically continuous . The shot continuously changes the
scenery and the other things (groups of people and
equipment) on the screen as a normal edit would but this has
been done cleverly in one shot.
The device that creates the continuity is the long walk made by
the main character across the entire beach which is followed by
the camera through various groups of other soldiers in on the
beach of Dunkirk.
The continuous mellow song fits perfectly with the images
created on screen.
