Introduction
Hollywood-renowned actor, and well-recognized persona from the Hunger Games franchise, David Seymour Hoffman, once said, “The film is made in the editing room. The shooting of the film is about shopping, almost. It is like going to get all the ingredients together, and you have to make sure, before you leave the store, that you got all the ingredients.” This analogy is meant to reflect the merit behind why editing in the filmmaking process is crucial. As Mr. Hoffman described, there are many ingredients that go into the film editing process, in which could make or break a film, depending on how it is executed. As hinted in the title of this blog, this post will discuss the components and techniques included in film editing and why they are used. All previous lessons of this past year contribute to this major step in the filmmaking process because elements such as Mise-en-Scene, Camera Movement, and especially sound (dialogue, sound effects, and music), can both be enhanced or emphasized in editing. Preliminary Exercise fifteen (the post before this one), only briefly explored editing sound in film as a part of the filmmaking process, however, sound is not the only factor to consider while editing. In this post, however, the goal is to combine our knowledge of the previous steps of the filmmaking process but add to it with another significant part of this process that will ensure that once our film has finished recording and shooting, that our group will be prepared to use what we have gathered and construct a clear, and impactful piece.
What is Editing?
From previous preliminary exercises, our group explored steps in the planning process, in which our groups in class developed camera movement skills, and our experience in using camera techniques (such as Establishing Shots, camera angles from places around our school and homes) which are a part of the recording process, but after those key steps comes editing in film. After the recording process is completed, the editing step in the film follows, and enters in its post-production stage. Editing is defined as the process of choosing, manipulating, and arranging images and sounds in the post productions of a film. In film, the editor- someone who is responsible for assembling raw footage into a complete, cohesive, cut- is responsible for editing. Editing in the filmmaking process is where the true storytelling begins, because the editor of a film can cut scenes and sequences of film to make its duration longer or shorter, or at median speed which could highlight specific moments of a character’s actions, dialogue, or music in a particular moment in a story. According to “studiobinder.com, What is Film Editing- Editing Principals and Techniques Explained, With the 1900s, narrative features, like The Great Train Robbery, proved that editing could create the cinematic illusion of time and space. With the power of editing, you could make it look as though a group of robbers have boarded a train and are on the run.” This is one example of the impact of editing, which takes a simple, clear-cut clip, but crafting it creatively in a way that is more engaging, and tells a story more clearly. Editing in film can be used for various other purposes such as positioning certain scenes in a film in the future, in the past, in chronological order (continuity editing), or in non-traditional, inconsistent order for a more creative approach (discontinuity editing). For example, continuity editing is a conventional film editing technique, in which scenes of a storyline are told in chronological order from start to finish, and commonly includes matching on action cuts to embody that effect. In addition, but rearranging scenes in a non-chronological order- Discontinuity Editing- can create an unsettling, unfamiliar atmosphere, which could benefit creators in the horror genre, for instance. The four main types of editing include: continuity editing, discontinuity editing, spatial/ graphic editing, and temporal editing.
Key Editing Terms:
Continuity Editing- An editing system that is consistent of both time and space in a film. It is the traditional arrangement and conventions of structure in a film. According to “studiobinder.com, What is Continuity Editing in Film, the goal of continuity editing is to keep the illusion of time and space in the film intact. If it is broken, it can be distracting to an audience, removing them further from the film.”
-Examples of this in film: Eyeline Match, Matching on Action, and 180-degree rule
Discontinuity Editing- An editing system that is consistent of both time and space in a film. It is the traditional arrangement and conventions of structure in a film. According to “prezi.com, Continuity and Discontinuity Editing, the reason for Discontinuity is to deliberately break the rules within continuity editing. Often film makers use the techniques within discontinuity editing to create a different tension for the audience, such as disruptive and/or emotional responses when watching the film.”
-Examples of this in film: Flashforwards, Flashbacks, and Jump Cuts
Spatial/Graphic Editing- The relationship between shot’s function to construct film space (for example, the establishing shot serves to situate the audience within an environment of setting and/or to introduce an important character or characters). According to, “sekmome.weebly.com, Editing, Mise-en-scène and cinematography contribute to the sense of a film's world, but it is spatial editing that literally constructs film space for us, since films join shots together that may have been recorded in wildly different places to construct a sense of connection present only in the film.”
-Examples of this in film: CGI (Computer Generated Imagery, made to look realistic but are fictional), and visual/sound effects
Temporal Editing- The relationship between the shot’s function to control time. This works to convey the order, duration, or frequency of events in film. According to “youtube.com, Editing: Spatial and Temporal Relations by Shelby Cadwell (4:47-4:53), now, related to spatial relations are temporal relations. We cannot have space without time, we need both of those together.”
-Examples of this in film: Slow Motion, Short Take and Long Take
Editing Technique shot/reverse shot | ||
Definition | A technique that is defined by multiple shots edited together in a way that alternates characters, typically to show both sides of a conversation situation. | |
Describe (2) ways editors utilize this technique | ||
Editors use this to show a conversation between two characters. They do this by alternating over-the-shoulder shots, so we can better grasp the two characters’ point of view. | When editors use this technique, they may make certain shots longer, to emphasize the emotions of the scene. | |
What effects does the technique have on the audience? Discuss genre, emotions, and messages communicated by each technique. | ||
This technique helps the audience understand the two characters’ relationship with each other. | This technique also shows the audience what the characters are feeling. We can see their reactions and that way; we can analyze their characters. | |
Example: “Marriage Story” (2019)
You can see the technique being utilized when the two main characters, Nicole, and Charlie, are having a huge argument.
Editing Technique: Eyeline match | ||
Definition | A technique based on the premise that an audience wants to see what the character on-screen is seeing. | |
Describe (2) ways editors utilize this technique | ||
Editors create this scene by showing a character looking at something offscreen. Then there is a cut followed by a shot that shows what the character is looking for. | Editors use the camera as the character’s eyes. It shows the audience what their viewing from their POV. | |
What effects does the technique have on the audience? Discuss genre, emotions, and messages communicated by each technique. | ||
The audience gets narrative information from a shot like this. Without this shot, the audience would be confused as to what the character is currently looking at. | This shot can highlight the film’s most vital details, making the audience more intrigued in the story. | |
Example: Burn After Reading (2oo8)
Editing Technique: Graphic Match | ||
Definition | Creates a relationship between two otherwise disconnected scenes using graphics, movement, and audio. | |
Describe (2) ways editors utilize this technique | ||
Editors use this technique by ending one shot with a frame containing the same compositional elements (i.e., shape) as the beginning frame of the next shot. | This technique shows a smooth transition, which pulls the audience in. | |
What effects does the technique have on the audience? Discuss genre, emotions, and messages communicated by each technique. | ||
This shot shows symbolism or meaning in a scene. With all kinds of symbolism in scenes, this can allow the audience to feel intrigued and curious, which makes them analyze the film. | Graphic match shots show the film’s creativity. When audiences watch creative films, they feel more interested. | |
Lion King (1994)
Editing Technique: Action Match | ||
Definition | A cut that connects two different views of the same action as the same moment in the movement. | |
Describe (2) ways editors utilize this technique | ||
Editors create this shot by carefully matching the movement across two shots. For a realer shot, the action should begin in the first shot and end in the second. While for longer action, the action should continue across multiple shots. | Filmmakers make the illusion that the motion continues uninterrupted. An example of this would be: SHOT 1: A character opens a door SHOT 2: The character walks through the door | |
What effects does the technique have on the audience? Discuss genre, emotions, and messages communicated by each technique. | ||
In some movies, like horror, editors use action match cuts to build suspense. If used correctly, the audience will not know what is going to happen in the second shot, which will make them even more interested and filled with even more suspense. | This shot also has smooth transitions, so this makes the audience intrigued. | |
Example: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Editing Technique: Jump Cut | ||
Definition | A single continuous sequential shot of a subject is broken into two parts, with a piece of footage removed to make the effect of jumping forward in time. | |
Describe (2) ways editors utilize this technique | ||
The editor removes a portion of time from a continuous sequence, creating a discontinuous effect, often used to condense time or emphasize narrative changes. | The editor creates disorientation by cutting between visually similar shots with different compositions, camera angles, or scales, often used to convey a character’s confusion, emotional state, or sudden revelation. | |
What effects does the technique have on the audience? Discuss genre, emotions, and messages communicated by each technique. | ||
In fast paced genres (like action) jump cuts are used to maintain momentum and keep the audience engaged, enhancing the energy of the scene. In experimental films, jump cuts are used to disrupt the narrative and the storyline, creating a sense of unpredictability for the audience. | Abrupt jump cuts mixed with moments of stillness can create tension and anticipation, heightening the audience’s emotion in the narrative. Jump cuts can also be used in a rhythmic or stylized manner which can convey a sense of feelings of joy for the audience. | |
EXAMPLE: The Ring (2002)
Editing Technique: Crosscutting | ||
Definition | A technique that cuts separate actions together to illustrate moments that take place simultaneously within the narrative structure. | |
Describe (2) ways editors utilize this technique | ||
The editors use this technique to show the viewer multiple views across separate locations. | Editors also use this technique to show large scale events that happen across multiple locations. | |
What effects does the technique have on the audience? Discuss genre, emotions, and messages communicated by each technique. | ||
This shot is often used to build anticipation. The anticipation makes the audience more fascinated with the film. The anticipation makes the audience feel anxious. | This shot also can create drama in some films and can intensify the emotional impact of a film. This can create a sense of uneasiness for the audience. | |
EXAMPLE: Mean Girls (2004)
Editing Technique: Parallel Editing | ||
Definition | A specific cross-cutting technique that creates a narrative parallel that the viewer may compare. | |
Describe (2) ways editors utilize this technique | ||
Editors can use this technique to show extra information about the scene. Or sometimes it might not add information at all and can be used as a comedic addition to a film. An example of this is if one character is singing at a talent show, while the other is running a marathon. | Editors use this scene to illustrate similarities and differences for situations that occur at the same time. | |
What effects does the technique have on the audience? Discuss genre, emotions, and messages communicated by each technique. | ||
This cross-cutting technique can help the audience feel engaged in the film as they watch all the different plots occur at the same time. | This shot generates suspense, which makes the audience more immersed in the story being told. | |
Example: The Godfather (!972)
This whole scene is a fitting example of parallel editing.
Editing Technique: Cutaway | ||
Definition | A shot that “cuts away” from the main action to any shot that adds visual information, and then returns to the original shot with new meaning. | |
Describe (2) ways editors utilize this technique | ||
Editors utilize this technique to establish a scene of place. | Editors also use this shot for memories, daydreams, and to show feelings. | |
What effects does the technique have on the audience? Discuss genre, emotions, and messages communicated by each technique. | ||
In suspense or thriller genres, cutaways can build tension by diverting the audience’s attention from the main action to something unrelated, keeping the audience on edge. In comedy genres, cutaway is used for humorous effects to provide lighthearted laughter for the audience. | A cutaway to a character’s reaction can intensify the emotional impact of a key moment, allowing the audience to empathize with their feelings. Cutaways to external elements/objects can create a sense of detachment, highlighting the contrast between a character’s experience and the broader context of a scene. | |
Example: Nope (2022)
REFLECTION
In conclusion, our group learned how valuable it is to utilize editing spaces and techniques to our disadvantage, which enhances the feature of film, even before post-production (Mise-en-Scene, mood, tone, sound effects, dialogue, music, ambient effects, camera movement, like Establishing shots, and now added knowledge of visual effects/imagery). We also had the honor of researching a few amongst numerous examples of the editing that are incorporated in films that we consume daily, and we discovered that the techniques above were used for the purpose of contrasting different settings, or locations of times, or even positioning two unrelated events to look similar through actions, graphics, the storyline, or even the Camera angle (Eyeline Match).
These techniques were previously unknown to us, as the film industry uses editing subtly, but consequently, it makes all the difference in truly bringing out a film and narrating a story in a creative way. To add, slowing down, or fast-pacing certain scenes or sequences can not only trigger emotional responses in the audience and set the tone of that environment, but highlight the events of that scene, which may be a significant part of that film.
Our group created eight separate tables on a Word document given to us by our teacher, and we used the word box that our teacher has provided for us to thoroughly research and define each term and an example of each term in film. This practice allowed us to review key editing terminology that will be crucial to our post-production process as we edit. To explain, Peyton P and Marley Brooks contributed research and information included in each Editing technique above and images, and Lexi M and I both helped by adding images, as well as meticulously searching for definitions and examples to record in a chart within the same Word Document by our instructor. The only resources necessary for this task were school laptops, to access and record our research and information, and we used computers provided by our school and personal laptops.
If truth be told, for this assignment, our group was able to perform on an intermediate level, because we were able to accomplish all our research and documentation as required for this task, but we had a few technical difficulties with finding non-copyright, or images that did not have an error loading. In the future, as our filming process approaches, we will be mindful of how to achieve the intended response in our audience by presenting our storyline clear, cohesive, but creative way to our audience through editing.
WORK CITED:
-A-Z Quotes. (n.d.). Philip Seymour Hoffman Quote. [online] Available at: https://www.azquotes.com/quote/134464.
-Abreu, R. (2022). The Principles and Techniques of Film Editing. [online] StudioBinder. Available at: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-film-editing-definition/.
-Deguzman, K. (2021). Continuity Editing — The Invisible Cut. [online] StudioBinder. Available at: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-continuity-editing-in-film/.
-nofilmschool.com. (n.d.). Editing 101: What is Continuity Editing? [online] Available at: https://nofilmschool.com/continuity-editing#:~:text=Discontinuity%20editing&text=In%20a%20discontinuous%20sequence%2C%20the [Accessed 5 Apr. 2024].
-www.dartmouth.edu. (n.d.). editing. [online] Available at: https://www.dartmouth.edu/~film01/editing.html#:~:text=Spatial%20Editing%3A%20Definition%3A%20Spatial%20editing.
-prezi.com. (n.d.). Continuity and Discontinuity editing. [online] Available at: https://prezi.com/8btxgofrqlwh/continuity-and-discontinuity-editing/#:~:text=The%20reason%20for%20Discontinuity%20is.
-SEK Budapest Film and Media Studies. (n.d.). Editing. [online] Available at: http://sekmome.weebly.com/editing.html#:~:text=Mise%2Den%2Dsc%C3%A8ne%20and%20cinematography [Accessed 5 Apr. 2024].
-www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Editing: Spatial and Temporal Relations. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyuIvny9Od4 [Accessed 4 Jul. 2022].
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