Early pioneers like the Lumiere Brothers, Thomas Edison, and Georges Méliès experimented with techniques like multiple shots and narrative structure in early films from the 1890s-1900s. Editing techniques then evolved throughout the 1900s-2000s to manipulate time and space, employ varying points of view, and develop pacing through cutting between shots. Modern directors like Alfred Hitchcock, Martin Scorsese, and Quentin Tarantino demonstrate unique styles and use editing techniques like continuity, montage, and parallel cutting to tell compelling stories through film.

1. UNIT 16: FILM
AND VIDEO
EDITING
TECHNIQUES
Author: Sally Pickford 2015
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Understandthe developmentandprinciplesof
editing.
L3 BTEC Certificate
Creative MediaProduction[TV andFilm]

2. Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Section 1: Understand the development and principles of editing.
Learning Objective 1: Understand the development and principles of
editing.
You must have an understanding of the following: in-camera editing; following
the action; multiple points of view; shot variation; manipulation of diegetic time
and space; film, video; analogue; digital
Research question 1: Can you name some of the pioneers of film making
in the late 19th
Century and early 20th
Century? Why were they
pioneers?
Early pioneers of film
making.
Why were they
considered film
pioneers?
Examples of their film
production with
images and
references.
Thomas Edison
[American inventor]
The Lumiere Bros
[French inventors]
R.W Paul [English
electrician]
Cecil Hepworth [British
film director]

3. Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Edwin Porter
[American producer and
director]
Georges Méliès
[French illusionist and
film maker]
D.W Griffith
[American Film Director]
Research question 2: Can you list some examples of early film
production? Include screen shots where necessary. Why are these good
examples?
Give early examples of
film production.
Discuss why these were good examples
and detail specific scenes/shots which are
interesting and demonstrate pioneering
developments.
Come Along, Do! (1898)
https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=Sbje9K0KsBQ
A Trip to the Moon (1902)
https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=_FrdVdKlxUk
The Great Train Robbery
(1903)
https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=BINBZE5XFR4
(Cross cutting method)
The Big Swallow (1901)
https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=WxcVzs88xRg
Stop Thief! (1901)
https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=0Kcc6eux9Qg
Tarzan of the Apes (1918)
https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=dFwhKVRpC8Q
The Jazz Singer (1927)
https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=LkUKloVCzcM
(First ‘talkie’)
Blackmail (1929)
https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=C4UkbBUOOcg

4. Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Research Question 3: What would you say are some of the
characteristics of early film production? Think about the type of shots,
framing, pacing..
List the
characteristics of
early film production.
Why was this technique used? Provide
examples.
Framing
Lighting
Shot times
Movement
Analogue editing
Research question 4: Modern Day Film Makers
An auteur is a filmmaker who has an individual style and has complete
control over all elements of production which gives a film its personal
and unique stamp. Using the stimulus table below discuss some of these
key modern day directors and their key films which demonstrate their
style.
Modern auteurs of
film making.
Why are they
considered auteurs?
Examples of their film
production with
images.
Alfred Hitchcock
Martin Scorsese
Quentin Tarantino
Stanley Kubrick
Steven Spielberg

5. Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Activity 5: Create a timeline of the development of editing. Use a site
such as Popplet or Padlet to present the development. Use images and
state why this was a key development in the editing process. Use the
following subheadings to gather your research:
Editing Development Why was this significant in the
development of editing and can you
think of examples of each? Look back at
your research above.
In-camera editing;
Eg. Hitchcock ‘Rope’. Think
about how he achieved this
and why?
following the action; shot
variation;
Think about how as films
developed directors became
more creative with their shot
variation (multi camera
techniques) and how this adds
pace to the scene. Use
specific examples.
manipulation of diegetic
time and space; multiple
points of view;
Remember this is how an
editor creates a sense of time,
space and unfolding narrative
for the audience. Think about
why this is an important factor
in film making and identify
SPECIFIC examples and
techniques employed by
directors.
film,
Early editing meant that
editors had to be very precise
when cutting the film.
Invention of the ‘splicer’ meant
that this sped up the editing
time.

6. Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
video;
Video is an electronic medium
for the recording, copying and
broadcasting of moving visual
images. Early video tapes
could record up to one hour.
WE have since now moved on
to digital which is a cheaper
method of video production.
analogue;
Eg. Tape based editing. Editing
in linear fashion. Flatbed
editing, ‘Splicing’
Digital
Modern method of editing
using computers. Allows for
more creativity and special
effects. Final Cut, Avid etc.
.

7. Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Section 2: Purposes of Film and Video Editing
You must have an understanding of the following: storytelling, eg engaging the
viewer, development of drama, relationship to genre, creating motivation;
combining shots into sequences; creating pace.
Activity 1: Using appropriate terminology (use your editing convention
glossary) give examples of the techniques and the purpose of these techniques
in a range of media.
Media Techniques used Purpose of these
techniques
Film
We Need To Talk About
Kevin [Dir. Lynne
Ramsey, 2011]
Advert
John Lewis advert 2014
Music promo video
Taylor Swift ‘Blank Page’
TV Drama
The Missing [BBC1,
2014]

8. Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Section 3: Conventions and Techniques
You must have an understanding of the following: seamless; continuity;
motivated; montage; jump-cutting; parallel editing; 180o rule; splicing;
transitions, eg cut, dissolve, fade, wipe; cutaways; point of view shot; shot-
reverse-shot; providing and withholding information; editing rhythm;
crosscutting; cutting to soundtrack
Activity 1: Create a glossary of key editing and camera terminology and
give examples of each. Remember to fully reference each film.
Technique Why would this
technique be used?
Give a detailed film
example and discuss
the purpose of this
and the effect this has
on the audience.
Seamless
Continuity editing
Motivated
Montage
Jump Cutting
Parallel editing/cross cut
180 degree rule
Splicing
Transitions eg. Dissolve,
fade, wipe
Cutaways
Point of view shot
Shot reverse shot
Providing and
withholding information
Editing rhythm
Cutting to soundtrack