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.

 

RESEARCH: SOUND - MRS. QUINLAN

What is sound? Why is it used in films?

Sound is another micro-element which plays a massive part of the moving image. It refers to everything the audience can hear such as dialogue, soundtrack and background noises. Sound changes according to the setting and action. It can create different moods and when used well with other microelements it gives the scene and the audience a much intense effect. Sounds in films are important because they have the biggest effect on the viewer. This is because it is the sound effects that make the scene intense together with editing. However if the sound is rapid and high pitched it makes the spectator insecure which is the outcome of thriller.

 

Godwin Theory:

Godwin is a theorist who has made a rule involving sound and editing. According to him editing and sound should accompany each other to maximize their effect on the audience. When both go along consistently and smoothly then it becomes more natural for the audience so they can feel the realism of the scene. However this rule can be broken and an example of that would be contrapuntal sound where the sound is completely different form the scene’s narrative. This sequence form a spy thriller Skyfall compliments Godwin's theory. During the scene Bond starts to fight other characters (2:58). This is when the fast paced editing works with the fast non-diegetic sound to create suspense and thrill for the viewer. They work together to reflect action. This proposes Godwin's theory because editing and sound accompany each other for an effect.

 

The different sound techniques involve:

Diegetic Sound: this is when the sound is compatible with the film world. It is part of the scene and the audience understands it fully. The sound makes sense for the spectator. This is an example of a diegetic sound from the thriller Scream where two characters have a conversation. This is an example of a diegetic sound as the spectator knows where it is coming from and it makes sense to them.

 

Non Diegetic Sound: this sound is not part of the film world and doesn’t make sense to the viewer as they are unsure of where it is coming from. This includes soundtracks and narration. This is the trailer of the horror thriller the Insidious. The non-diegetic sound is the background soundtrack which constantly plays over the clip. It is much more intense at 1:25 where it is loud and creates tension and thrill for the viewer. This makes the video much more chaotic and stimulating for the audience. This is an example of a non-diegetic sound as it is an added sound that isn’t part of the film world.

 














On Screen Sound: onscreen sounds are all the things we hear and see where they are coming from so it makes sense to the viewer. It is part of the scene and the spectator knows where the sound originates from. Some onscreen sounds include radios, shooting guns and most other sounds as long as the viewer can see where it is from. This is an example of an onscreen sound from the Dark Knight scene where the Joker wants Batman to hit him. The onscreen sound of the shooting guns and vehicle engines is evident at 00:17 seconds where Joker is shooting a random car. This is an example of an onscreen sound as the viewer can hear and see at the same time where the sounds emerge from.

Off Screen Sound: off screen sound is the opposite of the onscreen. This means that the sound doesn’t have an exact visible source but makes sense for the viewer and the film world. Some of the off screen sound example is a bell ring which is not physically shown on the screen however it is self-explanatory to the viewer and makes sense for them. An off screen sound example is evident in the film Scream at 0:09 seconds. During a black out the audience can hear a phone ring. This is an example of an off screen sound as although we cannot see the source of the sound it is obvious someone is calling. An off-screen sound can make the spectator nervous as they are as vulnerable as the character.

 

Parallel Sound: this is the expected sound which accompanies a certain setting. This can be described as background noise. For example in school a viewer would expect to hear shouts and laughter from the students. Another example would be playground where the audience would assume to hear laughter, cries and shouting from the kids playing.  Parallel sound makes the scenes much more realistic for the viewer and can create the natural effect of the film. This technique is used it the following clip from the Gone Girl at 1:57. The scene shows a large crowd and police gathering near the characters house. The shouting and chatter is the parallel sound. It makes the audience feel chaotic and quite lost which can build up the thrill.

 

 

 

Contrapuntal Sound: when the sound does not match the setting or action at all. It juxtaposes the scene completely. An example of this would be when someone gets brutally killed by surprise and rather than using a fast and thrilling non diegetic sound there is classical music playing in the background which doesn’t support the idea of murder. An example of a contrapuntal sound is used in the film Face Off. The onscreen contrapuntal sound is evident when the characters fight but there is a non-diegetic sound of a calm tune which contrasts the shooting action. This makes the audience question what is happening and can involve them more as they are curious about what is happening. Contrapuntal sound breaks Godwin’s theory.

 

Further Analysis of my Chosen Scene:

 

I have decided to analyse the sound techniques from the action thriller movie called Wanted. The scene is about Wesley who just finds out about the money he has received and decided to quit his job in style. He tells his boss and so-called best friend what he thinks about them. At the begging there is a non-diegetic sound which is just low in the background; presenting the monotony of everyday working life.  It fills in the silence of the office and sets it up for the next scene which is when Wesley’s boss comes in and the non-diegetic sound changes from low to much more intense and toxic which shows that Wesley’s inner self is being invaded by someone he truly dislikes. Further on the diegetic on-screen sound is used when the boss is clicking the stapler twice into Wesley’s ear. The sound of clicking is very loud and the audience can almost feel like they are in Wesley’s place which makes them feel pity for him. Moreover the on-screen sound of clicking is continuous but together with all the other parallel sound of background noises it is distorted and slowed down. It makes an emphasis of Wesley’s feelings as we enter his inner thoughts and the chaos going on within him. In addition there is a diegetic off-screen sound of a heart beat which increases in its vigour as the scene progresses and gets continuously louder together with the non-diegetic soundtrack. All these sounds build up and the audience feels oppressed and in chaos. It also builds up in tension as we expect all the pressure to be released anytime soon. As the noises get to its optimum state we hear a diegetic on-screen sound of Wesley shouting at his boss. All the noises stop and there is a clear binary opposite which is noticeable for the audience. We see all the tension being released and the audience feels relieved that the protagonist stood up for himself. He then decided to destroy his boss’s stapler which has been terrorizing him just a moment ago. It is emphasized with a slow motion compliments slow on-screen sound of crashing which proposes Godwin's theory and emphasises significance this iconography had on our protagonist. This made the spectators shocked as Wesley went against the rules. However we feel relieved as we know it was unfair and tough for him. Lastly as Wesley leaves his work place the non-diegetic sound has become much louder and supreme. The sound is very rock themed and has a strong beat which implies the power and confidence that Wesley has gained. In addition this non diegetic soundtrack is repeated throughout the movie showing consistency and reinforcing the moments when the protagonist is at his best.

 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, I have learned how significant sound is and how it sets up the whole scene. I know how important it is to use the right intensity and kind of sounds to make a good thriller. On top of that it was very beneficial to learn the different techniques and analyse them in other films so I have a better idea of how to use and manipulate sound in order to get a specific reaction from the audience. Looking at different thrillers allowed me to see how important it is to have a constant music or any form of sound so the scene has a feeling of fulfilment. However there are exceptions and no sound can be used when we try to emphasize on something significant but there needs to be a clear contrast so the audience can notice the change. It was also important to learn about Godwin as his theory will help me to make an effective thriller that has an impact on the viewer. Overall from this I have decided that I would like to use some contrapuntal sound as in my opinion is has the most intense effect on the audience and makes the scene distorted and chaotic which involves the spectator more. I also want to use non diegetic sounds to create tension and excitement. In addition I know I will have to play with volume and intensity of different music to create suspense and thrill.