Unit 21 - Film Editing - Editing Throughout The Years
Understanding the techniques and applications of editing for film and television
Introduction
I have applied for the role as an editor in a film studio and as a part of the application process I have been asked to produce a report which demonstrates my understanding of the techniques and applications of editing for Film and Television. My report will contain both historic and contemporary examples of editing from different time periods and different genres.
In 1899 George Albert Smith (An English Hypnotist) released A Kiss In the Tunnel which is arguably the most important development in film editing. This is because it is the first known film to have been edited as there is a shot that looks like the camera is on the train going into a tunnel and then coming out of the tunnel and a shot of a couple sitting in what looks like the train carriage but it is most likely a stage has been edited in between these shots and they are just doing typical things like reading a newspaper.
In 1895 The Lumiere Brothers made the first showing of moving images at the Grand Cafe on the boulevard des Capucines in Paris. This is important as it was the first public showing of a moving image and they had recorded everyday French life like The arrival of the train which was basically documentaries and Cinema.
The first films were known as actualities and they were filmed with a stationary camera where you would watch something without any kind of editing. The editing of films were originally called cutting and you had to splice together pieces of nitrate or celluloid and this was first seen in George Melies' Le Voyage Dans La Lune in 1902. This was an important development in editing as he used many other types of cuts like jump cuts when the aliens disappeared.
In 1903 Edwin S Porter released The Life Of an American Fireman and this helped shift production towards a narrative story arc. This is the first film that was edited with continuity editing as it featured things like overlapping action and also cross-cut and there was a shot that was mixed with shots of fireman responding to the alarm. This film is important as it contains different types of editing. Also in 1903 Edwin S Porter released The Great Train Robbery and this is crucial to the editing of films that we see today as it contained many innovative film techniques that we use to this day. Many of the techniques we saw in this film were for the first time like parallel editing, minor camera movement, location shooting and also many other techniques.
Create Meaning -
A1 - Types and purposes of editing for film and television
Continuity editing - Continuity editing is the process where shots that are related are edited in a way that creates a sequence that is creating a story over time and it is known as the classic Hollywood style as it is used in almost every Hollywood film. The purpose of continuity editing is so that you can smooth over the discontinuity of the editing process to establish a logical coherence and it also makes editing invisible which makes it flow and it also immerses you in the film.
Non-continuity editing - This is where the shots are edited in a mismatched manner to disrupt the impression of time and space to draw the audiences attention.
A2 - Applications of editing techniques
Introduction
I have applied for the role as an editor in a film studio and as a part of the application process I have been asked to produce a report which demonstrates my understanding of the techniques and applications of editing for Film and Television. My report will contain both historic and contemporary examples of editing from different time periods and different genres.
In 1899 George Albert Smith (An English Hypnotist) released A Kiss In the Tunnel which is arguably the most important development in film editing. This is because it is the first known film to have been edited as there is a shot that looks like the camera is on the train going into a tunnel and then coming out of the tunnel and a shot of a couple sitting in what looks like the train carriage but it is most likely a stage has been edited in between these shots and they are just doing typical things like reading a newspaper.
In 1895 The Lumiere Brothers made the first showing of moving images at the Grand Cafe on the boulevard des Capucines in Paris. This is important as it was the first public showing of a moving image and they had recorded everyday French life like The arrival of the train which was basically documentaries and Cinema.
The first films were known as actualities and they were filmed with a stationary camera where you would watch something without any kind of editing. The editing of films were originally called cutting and you had to splice together pieces of nitrate or celluloid and this was first seen in George Melies' Le Voyage Dans La Lune in 1902. This was an important development in editing as he used many other types of cuts like jump cuts when the aliens disappeared.
In 1903 Edwin S Porter released The Life Of an American Fireman and this helped shift production towards a narrative story arc. This is the first film that was edited with continuity editing as it featured things like overlapping action and also cross-cut and there was a shot that was mixed with shots of fireman responding to the alarm. This film is important as it contains different types of editing. Also in 1903 Edwin S Porter released The Great Train Robbery and this is crucial to the editing of films that we see today as it contained many innovative film techniques that we use to this day. Many of the techniques we saw in this film were for the first time like parallel editing, minor camera movement, location shooting and also many other techniques.
Create Meaning -
A1 - Types and purposes of editing for film and television
- Types of editing for film and television
Continuity editing - Continuity editing is the process where shots that are related are edited in a way that creates a sequence that is creating a story over time and it is known as the classic Hollywood style as it is used in almost every Hollywood film. The purpose of continuity editing is so that you can smooth over the discontinuity of the editing process to establish a logical coherence and it also makes editing invisible which makes it flow and it also immerses you in the film.
Non-continuity editing - This is where the shots are edited in a mismatched manner to disrupt the impression of time and space to draw the audiences attention.
- Purposes of editing for film and television
Manipulation of time - Editing is a great way to manipulate time as it can be used to stretch the timing of the film or it can be used to make a minute of real time feel like five seconds or even longer. This manipulates the time as no matter how long the film is it will feel completely different to how long you feel like it actually is. For example the footage in The Matrix where Neo is dodging all the shots is a good example of where they have slowed down time.
Flashbacks - Editing can be used to insert flashbacks which helps to develop the story and characters more as we can find out about previous things that happened so the audience get a better understanding. This was first seen in Billy Wilder's film noir Double Indemity in 1944 as it shows the main characters confessions to his criminal activities therefore providing more detail on the main characters and what he is like so that the audience understand it better.
Control the perception of space - Within a film the audience must be able to visualize the space around all the characters and the setting. This can be done with the camera focusing on one thing or person from a certain distance and then focusing on another object from the same distance which tells the audience the distance between the two objects/things.
Control the rhythm and pace to control the flow -A film can be manipulated to seem to go extremely fast by having straight cuts regularly so it seems as if it is going faster as it is going through shots in a quick succession. A film can also be made to go at an extremely slow pace and this is by including slow transitions and also not regularly changing shots.
Flashbacks - Editing can be used to insert flashbacks which helps to develop the story and characters more as we can find out about previous things that happened so the audience get a better understanding. This was first seen in Billy Wilder's film noir Double Indemity in 1944 as it shows the main characters confessions to his criminal activities therefore providing more detail on the main characters and what he is like so that the audience understand it better.
Control the perception of space - Within a film the audience must be able to visualize the space around all the characters and the setting. This can be done with the camera focusing on one thing or person from a certain distance and then focusing on another object from the same distance which tells the audience the distance between the two objects/things.
Control the rhythm and pace to control the flow -A film can be manipulated to seem to go extremely fast by having straight cuts regularly so it seems as if it is going faster as it is going through shots in a quick succession. A film can also be made to go at an extremely slow pace and this is by including slow transitions and also not regularly changing shots.
- Functions of Editing for film and television
Create Narrative - Motivated editing is where the edit is motivated by what you are able to see and or hear. A motivated cut is one of the least disruptive cuts that you can use as if a character will look to the side in during a dramatic moment in a scene and it will cut to what the character is actually looking at. This can help to further develop the story-arc as it can show something that he audience are yet to see therefore making the story more complex and then creating a climax which the story can work towards. This develops the drama in the story as it is adding more that the main character has to do to reach the final outcome of the story and to reach that the story has to develop further. Providing information is when the film will show you a load of information throughout the film or show and then all this information can get revealed at the end. Sherlock is a great example of where information is provided as he lists many aspects of the murder. Withholding information is the opposite to providing information so the information is hidden from the audience using a cliffhanger for example which creates suspension and makes people watch the next episode/film/series. Eastenders is very well known for its cliffhangers so that people watch their next episode.
Create Continuity between shots - Following the action happens when the camera will cut between all the characters viewpoints that are apart of the action that is happening so we know exactly what sides everyone is on during the action and we can see the different perspectives. Here is a good example of what following the action really is in James Bond. Changing the location can either be done visually or audibly depending on what suits the best. Visually the location will be changed by by cutting to an establishing shot of a new location where sometimes it will have some text saying where we now are. The way that you can change locations through audio is by having a character saying a new location and then it cuts to them being at the location. Changing the time frame is where they will change the time line or they will use flashbacks and to stop the audience getting confused they will say what year they are now in and where they are. A good example of time travel is in Avengers endgame where they all travel back in time to get the Infinity stones but sadly there are no clips for this as it was only recently released.
Create audience reaction and engage the viewer - Editing is the most effective way at creating suspense as you are able to choose the amount of suspense that you create. If you are trying to build suspense quickly you can edit you clips to cut between each other in a quick succession which will build suspension if you pair it with suspenseful music that also has a quick build up. You can also slowly build the tension by not cutting the clips as fast and pairing that with a slower building music. Steven Spielberg is great at building suspense in his movies and this video shows how he does it himself. Creating pace is another way that editing is very good at as you can speed up the pace by cutting the clips quickly and then you can reduce the pace of the film by having the shots go for a while. In Fast and Furious they have great examples of how they create pace by matching it with fast music and quick cuts between clips.
Create Meaning - We often see juxtaposition in films as it is where they show two or more characters doing something in completely different manors so that they can be directly compared to one another. They can do thgis by constantly cutting between the shots of the characters so that they audience can see that they are being compared one one another. Creating empathy with a character can be done many different ways including things like long cuts and even slow motion. This will usually be done during a time of sadness in the film as that is when the audience can emphasise best for a character. For example in Marley and Me we really emphasise for the character John Grogan as the cuts are very long and the music is very mellow. Creating bias in fiction is done in almost every piece of media as every one is bias towards something all though we may not see it in every piece of media. Bias can change how the character gets represented but bias is most common in different forms of propaganda which will put the enemy in a bad light.
Create Continuity between shots - Following the action happens when the camera will cut between all the characters viewpoints that are apart of the action that is happening so we know exactly what sides everyone is on during the action and we can see the different perspectives. Here is a good example of what following the action really is in James Bond. Changing the location can either be done visually or audibly depending on what suits the best. Visually the location will be changed by by cutting to an establishing shot of a new location where sometimes it will have some text saying where we now are. The way that you can change locations through audio is by having a character saying a new location and then it cuts to them being at the location. Changing the time frame is where they will change the time line or they will use flashbacks and to stop the audience getting confused they will say what year they are now in and where they are. A good example of time travel is in Avengers endgame where they all travel back in time to get the Infinity stones but sadly there are no clips for this as it was only recently released.
Create audience reaction and engage the viewer - Editing is the most effective way at creating suspense as you are able to choose the amount of suspense that you create. If you are trying to build suspense quickly you can edit you clips to cut between each other in a quick succession which will build suspension if you pair it with suspenseful music that also has a quick build up. You can also slowly build the tension by not cutting the clips as fast and pairing that with a slower building music. Steven Spielberg is great at building suspense in his movies and this video shows how he does it himself. Creating pace is another way that editing is very good at as you can speed up the pace by cutting the clips quickly and then you can reduce the pace of the film by having the shots go for a while. In Fast and Furious they have great examples of how they create pace by matching it with fast music and quick cuts between clips.
Create Meaning - We often see juxtaposition in films as it is where they show two or more characters doing something in completely different manors so that they can be directly compared to one another. They can do thgis by constantly cutting between the shots of the characters so that they audience can see that they are being compared one one another. Creating empathy with a character can be done many different ways including things like long cuts and even slow motion. This will usually be done during a time of sadness in the film as that is when the audience can emphasise best for a character. For example in Marley and Me we really emphasise for the character John Grogan as the cuts are very long and the music is very mellow. Creating bias in fiction is done in almost every piece of media as every one is bias towards something all though we may not see it in every piece of media. Bias can change how the character gets represented but bias is most common in different forms of propaganda which will put the enemy in a bad light.
A2 - Applications of editing techniques
- Editing techniques for film and television
Establishing shots - A establishing shot is used in television and film so that the scene gets some context to it and the audience can see the relationship between objects and people in the scene. Establishing shots in movies shows some great examples of establishing shots in films and television and how they are used.
Cutaways and cut-ins - A cutaway shot is the interruption of action that has been continuously filmed where the clip that is interrupting is completely different to the continuous shot. These youtube video has a good example of Cutaway shots in films.
30 Degree rule - This is a basic rule that states that the camera should move at least 30 degrees to the subject between each shot that is successive. However the 180 degree rule should still be followed even when obeying the 30 degree rule.
180 Degree rule - This is a basic guideline that regards the spatial(occupying space) relationship between two characters. This is done if you keep the camera on one side of an imaginary axis between the two characters. The first character will always be framed to the right of the second character.
Eye line match - The eye line match is an editing technique from the continuity editing system. This is where it shows what the character is looking at and it is done by firstly showing the character looking at something(the audience doesn’t know what they are looking at) and then it may cut to an object or something happening. This then implies to the audience that the character was looking at the object. A good example of where an eye line match has been used is in Star Wars episode 1
Match On Action - This is another editing technique where the editor will cut from a shot to another shot that is matching to the first shots action. These shots can be shot hours apart from each other but from the power of editing these shots can be made to look like it is continuous and short at the same time. A good example of these types of shots is when you see a man reaching to open a door and then it cuts to the other side of the door and you see it opening. This is a good example of match on action that was made by students.
Shot reverse shot - This shot is made to make the audience feel that the characters are looking at each other all though they don’t actually know if they are looking at each other. This is where it shows one character facing one way and then it cuts to another character looking the other way so that it looks like the character is looking back at the first character. A good example of this is in the Original spiderman movie.
Seamless Editing - Seamless editing is the technique where you can combine two clips that flow into each other which will give it a neat and smooth scene. A good example of seamless editing is in this short youtube video that was made by people.
Jump cuts - A jump cut is there to give the effect of a change in time as it is where there are two sequential shots taken of the same subject that only differ slightly. Here is another good Youtube video that was made by a student showing what jump cuts are like.
Juxtaposition - Juxtaposition is where there are shots that have a relationship between one another and it creates ideas that are not actually in the shot by itself. It is used to emphasise the dynamic of the tv show or film. Here is a Compilation of Juxtaposition editing from a range of films and tv shows.
Fades - A fade in and out is a transition that is done in the post production stage of editing where the screen will either fade into a black or white screen or it will fade out of a blackk or white screen into a shot.
Dissolve - A dissolve is extremely similar to a fade as it is a gradual transition from one scene to another where the main focus may slowly disappear or even slowly re-appear.
Freeze Frame - A freeze frame is a single frame that is constantly on screen as whatever is happening has been frozen. A freeze frame is a good point in which a narration can be added on the main character. A good example of a freeze frame is the Opening credit scene in Deadpool as the whole scene is frozen.
Montage - A montage is a sequence of shots that have been condensed to show space, time and information in a short amount of time, this editing technique was introduced by Sergei Einstein. In Hot fuzz the opening sequences a good example of a montage as wee have learnt about the main character in around two minutes.
Slow motion - Slow motion is the effect that makes it seem as if time is going slower which is great for when you want the audience to focus on something and not get distracted by something else happening in the shot. In X-Men Apocalypse there is a great example of where they have used slow motion in the film as well as also speeding footage up to make quicksilver seem much quicker.
Cross Cutting - Cross cutting is a useful technique when showing action that is happening at the same time and also it will normally be happening at the same place. For it to be cross cutting the camera will be alternating between the two different actions that are happening. In Entourage there is a great use of cross cutting as they are showing two characters on the phone to one another talking about the new Aquaman film. We know they are talking to one another as the conversation is flowing smoothly between the two.
Parallel editing - Parallel editing is extremely similar to cross cutting as it consists of two or more scenes being combined except when using parallel editing the two different scenes would end up colliding in a place. In Silence of the lambs they have used parallel editing very effectively as they have used it to build the tension and then there is an anti climax but then the tension is back when the FBI agent realises he made a mistake.
Split Screen - This is where the screen is divided into two or more parts so that it can show the same screen from different angles or it can show you the expectation and reality side by side to give the audience a better understanding. In Kill Bill, Tarantino has used the split screen to show what two different characters are doing at the same time.
Wipes - A wipe is another type of transition where one shot will be replaced by another by having it come in from one of the sides or have it appear within a shape. The Star wars franchise is well known to doing wipe transitions as it is good for showing a new location and star wars is constantly at new locations.
Seamless Editing - Seamless editing is the technique where you can combine two clips that flow into each other which will give it a neat and smooth scene. A good example of seamless editing is in this short youtube video that was made by people.
Jump cuts - A jump cut is there to give the effect of a change in time as it is where there are two sequential shots taken of the same subject that only differ slightly. Here is another good Youtube video that was made by a student showing what jump cuts are like.
Juxtaposition - Juxtaposition is where there are shots that have a relationship between one another and it creates ideas that are not actually in the shot by itself. It is used to emphasise the dynamic of the tv show or film. Here is a Compilation of Juxtaposition editing from a range of films and tv shows.
Fades - A fade in and out is a transition that is done in the post production stage of editing where the screen will either fade into a black or white screen or it will fade out of a blackk or white screen into a shot.
Dissolve - A dissolve is extremely similar to a fade as it is a gradual transition from one scene to another where the main focus may slowly disappear or even slowly re-appear.
Freeze Frame - A freeze frame is a single frame that is constantly on screen as whatever is happening has been frozen. A freeze frame is a good point in which a narration can be added on the main character. A good example of a freeze frame is the Opening credit scene in Deadpool as the whole scene is frozen.
Montage - A montage is a sequence of shots that have been condensed to show space, time and information in a short amount of time, this editing technique was introduced by Sergei Einstein. In Hot fuzz the opening sequences a good example of a montage as wee have learnt about the main character in around two minutes.
Slow motion - Slow motion is the effect that makes it seem as if time is going slower which is great for when you want the audience to focus on something and not get distracted by something else happening in the shot. In X-Men Apocalypse there is a great example of where they have used slow motion in the film as well as also speeding footage up to make quicksilver seem much quicker.
Cross Cutting - Cross cutting is a useful technique when showing action that is happening at the same time and also it will normally be happening at the same place. For it to be cross cutting the camera will be alternating between the two different actions that are happening. In Entourage there is a great use of cross cutting as they are showing two characters on the phone to one another talking about the new Aquaman film. We know they are talking to one another as the conversation is flowing smoothly between the two.
Parallel editing - Parallel editing is extremely similar to cross cutting as it consists of two or more scenes being combined except when using parallel editing the two different scenes would end up colliding in a place. In Silence of the lambs they have used parallel editing very effectively as they have used it to build the tension and then there is an anti climax but then the tension is back when the FBI agent realises he made a mistake.
Split Screen - This is where the screen is divided into two or more parts so that it can show the same screen from different angles or it can show you the expectation and reality side by side to give the audience a better understanding. In Kill Bill, Tarantino has used the split screen to show what two different characters are doing at the same time.
Wipes - A wipe is another type of transition where one shot will be replaced by another by having it come in from one of the sides or have it appear within a shape. The Star wars franchise is well known to doing wipe transitions as it is good for showing a new location and star wars is constantly at new locations.
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