Continuity editing is commonly used in films to seamlessly move the story and immerse viewers. Editing techniques like cuts, match cuts, and reaction shots are employed to introduce characters, create conflict, and intensify drama while making the construction process invisible. Editing pace also influences mood, with slow editing suggesting emotion and fast cuts implying tension. Through juxtaposition of shots, editing creates meaning and maintains a logical narrative structure.

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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:
 Identify/ introduce us to 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 spot the 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:
The speed and the tempo of the cuts. Slow can suggestemotionand
fast can suggesttension, action or uncontrollable events.
This is the first mostobvious thing to look for as it gives an insight
into the tempo and feelfor 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 change of one cut to another. Helps 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:
Is where the editor cuts from one shot to another view that matches
the first shots action, cutting on action gives the impressionof
continuous time when watching the edited film. The editor creates a
visual bridge,which distracts the viewer from noticing the cut.
Jump cut:
An abrupt switch from one scene to another scene, 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, oftenreinforces a mood of toughness or
confrontation.
Reaction shot
The reaction shot is a shot in which participants react to events/
action.
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.

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Both are used to suggest: differences intime or place. A dissolve
might also suggesta strong connectionbetween the two scenes
involved.
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 re enforce a
meaning, intensifies and controls the emotion through collection.
Slow-motion:
The action literally slows down with the text, this connotates
seriousness or a past event.
Long take:
This is a shot that does not cut away but “lingers” on one piece of
action. It is the equivalent of staring.
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.