Most films use continuity editing to seamlessly move the story along and immerse viewers in the plot. Editing aims to create identification with characters, establish conflict, and intensify drama through techniques like match cuts, jump cuts, cross-cuts, cutaways, and reaction shots. The purpose is to make the story flow smoothly so viewers are unaware of the construction process. Editing creates meaning through juxtaposing different shots and employs transitions like dissolves to connect scenes or suggest changes in time or place.

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Film Language
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
completely immersedin the 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 fluidas 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 duringa textual analysis. Remember also that
sometimes sound is used to ‘bridge’ the cut and make it less
noticeable on screen.
The process of editing is more concernedwith the ‘creation’of
meaningrather than the taking awayof material.
Editing Pace:
 This is the speed and tempo of the cuts – slow can suggest
emotion and fast can suggest tension, action of uncontrollable
events.
 This is the first most obvious thing to look for as it gives an
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 common of these is the cut.

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 The cut is this most basic tool of the editor. Editingtrims the
footage down but also helps to create / maintain the logic of a
start, middle and end (narrative).
 The cut is a change of shot from one viewpointor location to
another.
 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
impression of continuous time when watchingthe edited film. By
havinga subject begin an action in one shot and carryit through the
completion in the next, the editor creates a visual bridge, which
distracts the viewer from noticingthe cut or noticingany slight
continuityerror between the two shots. (Openinga door, see them in
front of the door, handon door, then inside the room)
Jump cut: Is an abrupt switch form one scene to another, used to
make a dramatic point, or mark a period of time passing.
Cross-cut: This is a cut from one narrative or line of action to
another. Mostly used in films to establish action occurringat the
same time in two different locations.
REMEMBER: sometimes sound is used to ‘bridge’ the cut and make it
less noticeable on screen.
Cutaway: This is when the shot ‘cuts away’, often to a reaction shot of
another character or piece of action, often reinforces a mood of
togetherness or confrontation.
Reaction shot: This is any shot in which a participantreacts to
events/ action. This is often used to guide the audience’s reaction to a
scene.

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Matched Cut or Graphic Cut: This is a cut between either two
differentobjects, two different spaces, or two different compositions
in which an object in the two shots graphicallymatch, often helping
to establish strong relationshipbetween two scenes.
Other forms of transition are also possible:
Fade: Is a transition to or from a blank screen (normallyblack).
Dissolve: Is a slow transition as one image merges into another.
Both are used to suggest: Differences in time or place. A dissolve
might also suggest a strong connection between the two scenes
involved.
Wipe: Is an optical effect in which one shot ‘wipes’ another off the
screen for dramatic effect.
Superimposition:Is two or more images are placeddirectly on top
of one another.
Montage: Is a series of shots that are connected together to
reinforce/create meaning – intensifies and controls the emotion
through collection.
Slow-motion: Is when the action literallyslows down with the text –
this connotes seriousness or a past event. Helps to prolong tension,
add style, or dramatic effect to the film.
Long take: This is a shot that does not cut away but ‘lingers’on one
piece of the action. It is equivalentof staring – this connotes intensity.
Split screen
Division of screen in order to show two or more lines of action
simultaneously – this can be referredto as parallel action.

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Effects are also added as part of the editing process – eg; slow
motion or fast motion.