Research into editing techniques

1. Research into Editing
Techniques
ALICE RICHARDSON, LEAH WALKER, ADAM PYE AND DYLAN WILSON

2. Shot-reverse-shot
•Shot reverse shot is a editing technique where one character is shown looking at another
character (often off-screen), and then the other character is shown looking back at the first
character.
•The shot is often paired with close ups, medium shots and over the shoulder shots of a
conversation, focusing on the emotion of the characters.

3. Match on action
•Match on Action is when the editor cuts from one shot to another view that matches the first
shot's action. A common example is a man walking up to a door and reaching for the knob.
•Match on action is used to ensure continuity in editing and to create the opportunity to use a
variety of shots in the film. For example you can use a long shot of someone walking up to the
door, then a close up of the door knob, then a medium shot from the other side – this would be
match on action if the shots collaborated together.

4. Elliptical editing
•Elliptical editing is a technique used in film editing that allows an event's duration on-screen to
be shorter than its duration in the story. The simplest type of elliptical edit is a cut between two
shots, both of which show part of the same event.
•This is usually used in walking or journey scenes as they are often boring therefore elliptical
editing is used to shorten this and make it more exciting.

5. 180 degree 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 . When the camera passes over the
invisible axis connecting the two subjects, it is called crossing the line.
•Again this is usually used in conversation scenes and would enable continuity as it may confuse
the audience if the location changes from the other side.

6. Parallel Editing
•Parallel editing (cross cutting) is the technique of alternating two or more scenes that often
happen simultaneously but in different locations.
•This means that the different storylines unfold in parallel (at the same time but in different
locations.)
•This is often used to create suspense in a film by showing two different events or in an action
sequence to show the different characters positions.