RESEARCH: EDITING - MISS BEGUM

What is editing? Why is it important?

Editing is a technique which helps to assemble many images together to complete a sequence. Editing is an important part of a moving image because it helps to fluently move from one image top another. It is also used to set up the mood of the scene; allowing the audience to react in a certain way depending on the narrative. Editing can help to make and emphasis on the action by working with other micro-elements, such as sound. Editing can be separated into two different types which are Edits and Transition.

Edits are the way the shots are cut into another frame. These include:

Straight cut: a straight cut is when a frame is changed fluently from one to another with no transition and without much notice for the eye. It can however be quite thrilling if used in fast manner to create tension and reflect action. A Straight cut is used in this clip from the Panic Room. We see simple cuts from our female protagonists to the criminals. This is a straight cut as it doesn’t have much effect on the audience because it’s unnoticeable and comes naturally for the eye.

 

Reaction Shot: a reaction shot is when the camera captures the characters reaction after a significant moment. It can show the character feelings. Usually a reaction shot is combined with a medium close up or close up so the facial expression can be seen clearly. A reaction shot can be identified in the ending scene of Seven when detective Somerset opens the box at 0:31. There is a quick reaction and we hear a gasp of surprise. This is a reaction shot as we see his response and therefore can guess how he is feeling.

 

Montage: a montage is a technique which synchronizes many images/frames together to create a sequence which can but doesn’t have to makes sense. Sometimes montages are used to recall a situation from the past or show a passage of time. They can cause chaotic response from the viewer. A montage is used in this clip from the Grudge. It starts at 0:47 and displays a series of murders which don’t make sense for the spectator. This is an example of a montage as the audience can feel confused and scared as they are uninformed and cannot figure out the meaning of the sequence.

 

Slow Motion: a slow motion is a technique which decelerates the scene to create an emphasis on a symbolic scene/ action. The slow motion is shown in the scene from the Wanted at 0:15 when Wesley breaks in into the building. The slow-motion shows he is dominant and allows the audience to see his determined body language and facial expression. Further on there is a multiple slow motion when Wesley shoots to emphasize on his magnificent skills. This is a good example of slow motion as the scene is massively slowed down to focus on the specific detail about the protagonist.

Fast Paced Editing:  fast paced editing is when the scene is rapid and accelerates in its edits usually to create tension and chaos. It can also reflect the action and make thrill for the viewer. In this scene from Fast and Furious the fast paced editing is used throughout the clip. This is used to reflect the tense race and its pace. The edit makes the scene exciting and thrilling for the viewer. The fast paced editing can be identified in this clip as the editing is faster than usual.

 

Shot Reverse Shot: shot reverse shot is an edit when the camera ‘jumps’ from one person to another usually during a conversation. It allows to see the speakers clearly and their reaction. A shot reverse shot is used in this clip from the Scream 2 at 0:50 when the two women speak to each other and the camera moves from one person to another to show their reaction and how they speak. Shot reverse shot is different from the over the shoulder shot as there is only one person in view so the spectator focuses on one thing at time without confusion.

Jump Cut: a jump cut is a rapid camera movement noticeable for the viewer’s eye. A jump cut can confuse the audience but at the same time engage them as they need to focus on what happened. A jump cut is used in this clip from the Psycho. At 1:17 there is a slight jump cut visible for the eye. It distorts the shower scene as the audience questions the rapid movement of the women showering. This jump cut can foreshadow what is about to happen as it engages the audience and makes them alert which builds up the tension for further events.

Transition is how the edit is changed and transformed into another frame. It’s about the different filters that can be used to complete that transition. These include:

Fade to Black: a fade to black is when the frame or an image dissolves into a black frame. It is usually used at the end of the movie or when someone significant dies to show that it is the end as black has connotations of death. It is very common in trailers to cut off different scenes and introduce a new one which makes the audience curious. The fade in black is repeatedly used in this trailer from the Panic Room. This is used to provoke curiosity from the spectator so they will want to see the movie. This is an example of a fade to black as the frame disintegrates into a black image at a key moment to introduce another scene/idea.

 

Wipe Cut: a wipe cut is a transition where the frame is moved across the screen in an unnatural way therefore noticeable for the eye. It is rarely used in thrillers as it doesn’t follow the codes and conventions of a stereotypical thriller because it looks artificial and makes the audience less fearful which shouldn’t be an outcome of a thriller genre.

Dissolve:  a dissolve is when a frame diffuses into another one. It is noticeable for the eye however if done smoothly and well it can have a deep meaning and seem natural for the viewer. A dissolve is used in the horror thriller Psycho. This is evident at the end of the scene when the man on the frame gradually dissolves into another frame at 1:30. Throughout the transition there is a skeleton figure which foreshadows what will happen to the character. This is good use of dissolve as it has a meaning and is done fluently.

180 Degrees Rule:

The rule is a way to help establish and maintain the placing of the characters and objects on the screen to avoid confusing the viewer and make the scene look more natural and realistic for the eye. However first off as the filming starts a line of action must be organized. The Line of Action is an imagery line created between the subject and the things they interact with. As the line of action is created the rule claims that the camera should stay on one half of the line only to establish the positioning of the characters and avoid confusing the viewer. It can however move anywhere on the one side of the action line.

 

The action line can be crossed, however only if the crossing is physically shown with a shot to allow the audience see the transition so a new spacing and action line can be made.

 

Further Analysis of a Chosen Scene:

 

I decided to analyze the editing techniques from the action thriller Taken. First off the scene begins as fast pace. This is used when the protagonists fights the antagonists who is in the room and tries to defeat him. The fast paced editing allows to reflect the chaos and the fast actions that need to be taken during such fight. It also matches with the upbeat non diegetic sound which fits the Godwin’s theory. This makes the audience feel tense as they want their hero to be safe and defeat the villains. Moving on there is a use of slow motion which is evident when the protagonist jumps through the glass to get closer to the male antagonist. The slow motion is used to emphasize on the protagonist action and to show his grace and determination to survive. As it is quite fast the slow motion may not be visible to all spectators; therefore it seems very natural for the eye. However it can be spotted by the rapid change from fast pace to extremely slow. Moving on, the scene is back to fast paced editing which yet again reflects the intensity of the action. Throughout the fight there are quick short cuts of the fighter’s faces to show their facial expressions and emotions. The spectators are also exposed to a quick short cut of an extreme close up which is visible when the protagonist gets harmed with a weapon. This shot is used to show that the protagonist is getting hurt and can lose. This makes the spectator worried as we want our hero to succeeded and protect his loved ones. Furthermore as the fight is getting really tense there is a use of a reaction shot which is evident when the protagonist constantly hits the antagonist with glass bottles. The reaction shot displays the villain who is deeply in pain. It also allows to see his terror in the facial expressions. This makes the audience feel relieved as they see that the good is winning over the evil. A slow paced editing is used after the villain has been defeated and the protagonist is standing beside his dead body. This could propose that the threat and danger is over so therefore the audience feels relieved and proud of the protagonist. When the protagonist enters another room a shot reverse shot is used to display the antagonist with a damsel in distress and then the protagonist himself. This allows the spectator to see the reactions of both sides. It makes them question what is going to happen which leaves suspense.

Editing Analysis from a chosen Thriller Opening.

 

I have decided to analyse the editing techniques in the opening sequence from the thriller Shutter Island. First off the scene uses many dissolves to transition from one image to another. This is used throughout the scene and has a sense of fluency but it is not natural for the viewer's eye which makes the scene less believable. Moreover the constant use of fade to black creates an intriguing effect for the audience. This is because the images are almost forbidden to look at and they are just cut out at the most interesting parts, which makes the viewer curious and eager to find out more. This is effective because the technique engages the viewer more by grabbing their attention and involving them into the sequence which is important as the director wouldn't want to loose his/hers audience. Lastly the whole scene is a montage of images that were placed together. This creates distortion and makes the viewer feel in chaos as we are unaware of what is going on or what the meaning of this scene is due to the lack of clear narrative. As much as this confuses the spectator it can also make them even more determined to watch and 'solve the sequence' themselves which is engaging.

Conclusion:

Overall, from my research into editing I have found out how it is used to enhance the image of the film. Editing is a key part to make a connection between frames and helps to construct a movie into a whole. If used effectively it can have a massive impact on the audience by creating suspense and tension. It has to work well with other microelements in order to support one another and make a good product. From my research into editing and how it is used in thrillers I have found that a common technique used is fast passed editing in order to create chaos and reflect tension during fight scenes or chases. Another common edit is a reaction shot to show how the characters in the film are effected by different stimulus. In addition I have released how a good use of a montage or a jump cut can improve and enhance the film as it is a less common technique and can engage the audience by its irregular style. Moreover learning about the 180 degree rule was beneficial as it has allowed me to release how to make my thriller opening as natural for the viewer as possible so they will be effected by it more. In conclusion using this knowledge I have decided that I want to use a jump cut or a montage as it presents itself differently and stands out from the other techniques. I also think that it has a good effect and that it makes the viewer a bit chaotic which is a thriller theme in some aspects.