This document discusses various techniques used in film editing. It explains that most films use continuity editing to seamlessly move the story along and immerse viewers. Common goals of editing in drama include character identification, highlighting conflict, and intensifying scenes. It then defines and provides examples of different types of cuts (match cuts, jump cuts, cross-cuts, cutaways, reaction shots) and transitions (fades, dissolves, wipes, superimpositions) that film editors employ to craft meaning and pace scenes. The document stresses that editing is about creating, not just removing, meaning through techniques like montage, slow motion, long takes, and split screens.

1. Summer Roberts-Nicholas Media October 2017
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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:
 Character identification
 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 can suggestemotion
and 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 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.
Cut/edit – The mostbasic tool of the editor. Editing trims 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 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:
Where the editor cuts from one shot to another view that matches
the first shot’s action,cutting on action gives the impression of
continuous time when watching the edited film. By having a
subjectbegin an action in one shot and carry it through to completion
in the next, the editor creates a visual bridge,which distracts the
viewer from noticing the cut or noticing any slight continuity error
between the two shots.
Jump cut:
An abrupt switch from one scene to another, 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’, often to, a reaction shot of another
character or piece of action, which reinforces a mood of togetherness
or confrontation.
Reaction shot:
Any shot in which a participant reacts to events/action. Often used to
guide the audience’s 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.

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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 fade and dissolve are used to suggest to suggest differences in time
or place. Or a strong connection between the two scenes involved.
Wipe:
An optical effectin which one shot ‘wipes’ another off the screen for
dramatic effect.
Superimposition:
When two or more images are places 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.
It’s 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.