AS Film Studies
Unit FM1
Introduction to Micro Features:
Editing
Lesson Aims
By the end of the lesson you will be able to:
• Understand and apply editing terminology
• Deconstruct how editing is used to
communicate meaning
Definition: Editing
• Editing a film involves
selecting and combining
shots into sequences
• Good editing is a critical
element in getting the
audience to understand the
film’s story, by creating or
enhancing mood, emotion
and character.
• The director needs to
create enough shots for the
editor to choose from to
tell the story.
Montage
• A montage is created
through an assembly of
quick cuts,
disconnected time or
place, that combine to
form a larger idea. A
montage is frequently
used to convey passage
of time, coming of age,
or emotional transition
Parallel Editing
• This occurs when two
scenes are shot in
sequence, but presented
by cutting back and forth
between them. This
creates a sense of two
actions occurring
simultaneously in two
different locations
Split Screen
• A split screen runs two
shots side-by-side
within a single frame.
Like parallel editing, a
split screen create the
idea of simultaneous
action.
• Split screen was a staple
of the 1950s and 1960s
Dissolves
• Dissolves blend one
shot into another. This
achieved optically by
fading out the first shot
while the second shot
fades up. A dissolve
softens a cut. Dissolves
can be brief or
extended depending
how ‘soft’ the film
maker wants the effect
to be
• they are often used to
show the passage of
time – this is referred to
as ELLIPTICAL EDITING
Expanding Time – Overlapping
Action
• This ads dramatic value
to a scene. It can shine
a light on a particular
moment or an entre
scene. It is often used
to underscore
important plot twists,
climatic scenes, and
pivotal emotional
revelations
• Suspense is evoked by
milking the scene with
the clever use of
cutaways and reaction
shots. In this way time
can be stopped by
extending the time it
takes for the moment to
play out on screen
Graphic Match
• Graphic matching is
when a scene links to
another scene using the
same shape or colour –
this can occur with the
use of a cut or a
dissolve
Visual Match Cut (Idea)
• A cut on idea is when
two shots are cut
together and by their
juxtaposition, a third
idea is suggested. This
new ides is the sum of
the first two
Fast Motion (Time Compression)
• Fast Motion compresses
reality, this technique is
used for those scene
that need to be
especially heightened
• Slowing down reality is
often used to show how
a character sees the
world when in the
midst of a traumatic
event
Rhythm & Pace
• Editing sets the rhythm or pace of a scene. This could be
dictated by either the music used behind a scene or the mood
that the editor is trying to create and the pace that you edit.
To build up tension in a scene you might cut from one shot to
another very quickly. However, in a relaxed scene the editing
will progress at a much slower pace, dwelling longer on each
shot.
Long Take
Jump Cuts, Match Cut, Cut Away
Continuity Editing
• Despite all this art and
craft, the audience hardly
ever notices good editing.
• Although we know that we
are watching pieces of film
joined together, we are so
used to continuity editing
that we accept what is
happening on screen
providing that it follows
the rules that we have
learnt through watching
other films or narratives.
• Shot reverse shot
• 180 degree rule
• Match on action
• Straight Cut
• The use of continuity
editing makes action on
the screen ‘appear’ to
be seamless
Editing is something of an
‘invisible art’, because we
rarely notice the cut
between one shot and
another.
TASK
• Firstly finish your sound
task from last week.
• In groups film a
continuous sequence
(Long Take) using as many
shots, angles and
movements as you can.
• Try to include
PLEONASTIC/ Foley Sound
• Load to YouTube and
embed on your blog
• Secondly you will each
have an editing
technique
• I want you to film an
instructional/ definition
video for that editing
technique
• Again it can be serious
or funny just get the
point across

Week 5

  • 1.
    AS Film Studies UnitFM1 Introduction to Micro Features: Editing
  • 2.
    Lesson Aims By theend of the lesson you will be able to: • Understand and apply editing terminology • Deconstruct how editing is used to communicate meaning
  • 3.
    Definition: Editing • Editinga film involves selecting and combining shots into sequences • Good editing is a critical element in getting the audience to understand the film’s story, by creating or enhancing mood, emotion and character. • The director needs to create enough shots for the editor to choose from to tell the story.
  • 4.
    Montage • A montageis created through an assembly of quick cuts, disconnected time or place, that combine to form a larger idea. A montage is frequently used to convey passage of time, coming of age, or emotional transition
  • 5.
    Parallel Editing • Thisoccurs when two scenes are shot in sequence, but presented by cutting back and forth between them. This creates a sense of two actions occurring simultaneously in two different locations
  • 6.
    Split Screen • Asplit screen runs two shots side-by-side within a single frame. Like parallel editing, a split screen create the idea of simultaneous action. • Split screen was a staple of the 1950s and 1960s
  • 7.
    Dissolves • Dissolves blendone shot into another. This achieved optically by fading out the first shot while the second shot fades up. A dissolve softens a cut. Dissolves can be brief or extended depending how ‘soft’ the film maker wants the effect to be • they are often used to show the passage of time – this is referred to as ELLIPTICAL EDITING
  • 8.
    Expanding Time –Overlapping Action • This ads dramatic value to a scene. It can shine a light on a particular moment or an entre scene. It is often used to underscore important plot twists, climatic scenes, and pivotal emotional revelations • Suspense is evoked by milking the scene with the clever use of cutaways and reaction shots. In this way time can be stopped by extending the time it takes for the moment to play out on screen
  • 9.
    Graphic Match • Graphicmatching is when a scene links to another scene using the same shape or colour – this can occur with the use of a cut or a dissolve
  • 10.
    Visual Match Cut(Idea) • A cut on idea is when two shots are cut together and by their juxtaposition, a third idea is suggested. This new ides is the sum of the first two
  • 11.
    Fast Motion (TimeCompression) • Fast Motion compresses reality, this technique is used for those scene that need to be especially heightened • Slowing down reality is often used to show how a character sees the world when in the midst of a traumatic event
  • 12.
    Rhythm & Pace •Editing sets the rhythm or pace of a scene. This could be dictated by either the music used behind a scene or the mood that the editor is trying to create and the pace that you edit. To build up tension in a scene you might cut from one shot to another very quickly. However, in a relaxed scene the editing will progress at a much slower pace, dwelling longer on each shot.
  • 13.
  • 14.
    Jump Cuts, MatchCut, Cut Away
  • 15.
    Continuity Editing • Despiteall this art and craft, the audience hardly ever notices good editing. • Although we know that we are watching pieces of film joined together, we are so used to continuity editing that we accept what is happening on screen providing that it follows the rules that we have learnt through watching other films or narratives. • Shot reverse shot • 180 degree rule • Match on action • Straight Cut • The use of continuity editing makes action on the screen ‘appear’ to be seamless Editing is something of an ‘invisible art’, because we rarely notice the cut between one shot and another.
  • 16.
    TASK • Firstly finishyour sound task from last week. • In groups film a continuous sequence (Long Take) using as many shots, angles and movements as you can. • Try to include PLEONASTIC/ Foley Sound • Load to YouTube and embed on your blog • Secondly you will each have an editing technique • I want you to film an instructional/ definition video for that editing technique • Again it can be serious or funny just get the point across

Editor's Notes

  • #5 Here themonatge suggests passge of time and charctersprogressio. By using the same construction twice, it allows the audience to make comparisons and from that ne inferences
  • #7 Kill Bill – suggests the immentphysicalproximity of the vitim to the assassin by having the two share the frame. We see what appears to be leathal hypodermics needle alamost touching the arm of the sleeping victim (Black Mamba) where the assassin intends to emtpy it. In this way the writer/director Tarantino exploits the elasticity of time and place that the split screen provides and is able to heighten the suspense of the scene
  • #8 Dissolves link two idea together by blending one image in to another. In thiscasemutiple views of the esate are presented but remain connected by the use of dissolves, they are often used to show the passage of time
  • #9 Time is completely slowed down in such way that it’s as though each shot is a breath. The audience absorbs the rhytmn of the editing; breathing with Vincent, his anxiety becomes ours, as we watch Vincent prepare to plunge the needles into Mia’s chest
  • #11 The cut suggested that Sara and Tyrone are untied by drugs, each in their own prison. We subconsciously apply the jail jars to both characters. We derive the new meaning from the ideas suggested by the juxtaposition
  • #12 Fast motion used to convey the shoddy treatment that Sara receives from doctor – speeded up action underscores the doctor’s inattention and the inevitability of Sara’s descent