Most films use continuity editing to seamlessly move the story along and immerse audiences in the plot and characters. Editing aims to create identification with characters, establish conflict, and intensify drama through techniques like matching shots, cross-cutting between different locations, and reaction shots to guide audience response. The editing process is focused on creating meaning through techniques like pace, juxtaposition of shots, and different types of transitions between scenes like cuts, dissolves, and wipes. Common editing techniques employed include matches on action, jump cuts, cutaways, and graphic matches between shots.

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Film Language:Editing
Most films use a system of editing known as continuity editing. Its
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 especiallyaware 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: this is the speed and tempo of the cuts – slow cuts
can suggestemotion and fast cuts can suggesttension or,
action or uncontrollable events.
This is the mostobvious thing to look for as it gives as insight
into the tempo and feel of 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: change of shot from on viewpoint or location to another.
Always ask yourself why a cut has occurred – there is always a
reason.

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Match on action: is where the editor cuts from one shot to
another thatmatches the first views action. Cutting on section
gives the impression of continuous time when watchingthe
edited film.
Jump cut: an abruptswitch from on scene to anotherused to
make a dramatic pointor 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’often to a reaction
shot of another characteror piece of action,often reinforces a
mood of togethernessor confrontation.
Reaction shot is any shotin which a participantreacts to
events/action.Often used to guide the audiences reaction to a
scene.
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.
Both are used to suggest: differences in time or place or a strong
connection between the two scenes involved.

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Wipe
An optical effectin which one shot ‘wipes’ another off the screen for
dramatic effect.
Superimposition
Two or more images are placed directly on top of each other.
Montage:
A series of shots that are connected together to reinforce/create
meaning – intensifies and controlsthe emotion through
collection.
Slow-motion:
The action literally slows down with the text – this connotes
seriousnessor a pastevent.Helps to prolong tension,add style,
or dramatic effectto the film.
Long take:
This is a shot that does not cut away but lingers on one piece of
action.It is the equivalentof staring – connotes intensity.
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 – e.g.; slow
motion or fast motion.