Editing in films uses techniques like cuts, dissolves and match cuts to advance the story in a fluid, immersive way for the audience. The purpose of editing in drama sequences is to create tension and portray the genre. Editing pace also influences the mood, with faster cuts creating a more tense feeling. Common editing techniques include cuts between shots, match cuts to imply continuity of time, jump cuts to signify changes in time or location, and reaction shots to guide audience response. Transitions like fades, dissolves and wipes also link scenes and influence how differences in time or place are understood.

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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:
 To create tension to keep it interesting to watch
 To have a certain type of editing to portray the genre
 To change the speed and tone of the scene
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 the tempo of the cuts for example if the cuts
are slow it could representsomething romantic or not tense at all,
however if the speed and tempo are fast then this resembles action
and something tense maybe like a fight scene or chase seen, this is
to make us more aware of what’s going on so we don’t miss it. This is
the most important and obvious thing to look at as it gives an insight
on the tempo and feelof 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 shot to another.

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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 shots action, cutting on
action gives the impressionof continuous time watching the
edited film. By having a subjectbegin one action and continue it in
the next cut it gives an impressionthat the time is continuous and
didn’t stop.
Jump cut:
This is an abrupt switch from one scene to another scene.This could
be shown to be a long time passing or that they have travelled from
one place to another.
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 a shot cuts away often form a reaction shot from another
character or piece of action, this often reinforces a mood /
confrontation.
Reaction shot
Any shot in which a participant reacts to events/action. Often used to
guide the audience 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:

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Fade
A transition to or from a blank screen
Dissolve
A slow transition as one image merges into another.
Both are used to suggest:
Differences intime or place. A dissolve might also suggesta strong
connection betweenthe 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 reinforce/create
meaning – intensifies and controls the emotionthrough collection.
Slow-motion:
The action literally slows down with the text – this connotes
seriousness or a past event. Helps to prolong tension add style, or
dramatic effectto the film.
Long take:
This is a shot that doesn’tcut away but lingers on one piece of action,
this is the equivalent of 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 – eg; slow
motion or fast motion.