Most films employ continuity editing to seamlessly move the story and immerse viewers. Editing aims to create identification with characters, conflict, and intensification to make drama fluid while hiding the construction process. Editing pace also influences meaning, with quick cuts implying action and slow cuts implying emotion. Common editing techniques include cuts, match cuts on action, jump cuts, cross-cuts, cutaways, and reaction shots. Transitions like fades, dissolves and wipes also suggest changes in time or place.

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Film Language:Editing
Most films use a system of editing known as continuity editing.It’s
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 especially aware 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:
Editing pace is whether the process of cutting is slow or fast. If the
editing pace is quick, you might expectit to be an action or chase
sequence.If it’s slow, it might be a sad, romantic or serious
sequence.
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Editing often works through the juxtaposition of differentshots to
create meaning.

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There are a huge number of editing techniques which filmmakers can
employ.
The most commonof these is the cut.
The cut is a: 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) .
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Always ask yourself why a cut has occurred – there is always a
reason.
Match on action: This is where the editor cuts from one shot to
another viewthat matches the first shot’s action,cutting on
action gives the impressionof continuous time when watching
an edited film.
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Jump cut:
An abruptswitch from one scene to another,used to make a
dramatic point,or mark a period of time passing.
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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 shotof
another characteror piece of action , often reinforcesa mood of
togethernessor confrontation.
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Reaction shot
The reactionshotis any shot in which a participant reacts to
events/action.Often used to guide the audience’sreactionto a
scene._________________________________________________
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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).
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Dissolve
A slow transition as one image merges into another.
Both are used to suggest: Differences in time or place.A dissolve
might suggesta strong connectionbetweenthe two scenes
involved.
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Wipe
An optical effectin which one shot ‘wipes’ another off the screen for
dramatic effect.-STAR WARS
Superimposition
Two or more images placed directly on top of one another e.g.
end of summer nights from Grease.

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Montage:
A series of shots that are connected together to reinforce/create
meaning-intensifies and controls the emotion through
collection.______________________________________________
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Slow-motion:
This action literally slows down with the text – this connotes
seriousnessor a pastevent.Helps to prolong tension,add style,
or dramatic effectto the film.
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Long take:
This is a shot that does not cut away but lingers on one piece of
the action. It is the equivalentof staring-connotesintensity.
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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 – eg; slow
motion or fast motion.