3. tv drama editing
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TRANSCRIPT
Lesson objectivesWhat is editing?Can I analyse the editing techniques in TV Drama?
What are we looking for when analysing editing in a clip?
Order of shots ContinuityTransitions Shot durationPace and rhythmSpecial effects
You need to be able to discuss
how these technical
elements help create meaning.
You need to be able to discuss
how these technical
elements help create meaning.
Order of shotsThe meaning of a clip can change
depending on the order the shots are cut together
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Putting two shots together can suggest a connection or emphasise contrast (juxtaposition).
Continuity
Continuity editing Cutting shots to tell a story with narrative continuity,
helping the viewer make sense of the action by implying spatial relationships and ensuring smooth flow from shot to shot.
Continuity techniques: Establishing shot (establishes the space in which action is
to happen) Shot/reverse shot Eyeline match (e.g. character looks off-screen, next shot
shows us what they see) Match on action (character begins to move in one shot, we
see continuation of the same movement in the next shot) Realism - edit is invisible so action appears real rather than
constructed.Task
Watch the sequence of waterloo road.
How many of the editing techniques can you spot?
Establishing shot
Cutting Shots, eye line match
Task 1 Web Drama Editing
How are order of shots and continuity used in
your chosen web drama?
Task 2: Storyboard Task
Create a sequence using order of shots and all the
continuity techniques
Non-Continuity Montage – a combination of shots to give
a quick summary of what happened, is happening or going to happen
Non-continuity editing – the order of the shots are not in a linear form Flashbacks Flash forwards Dream sequences
TaskWatch the extract of Waterloo road.How is non continuity used here?
Transitions The process of cutting from one shot to
another usually involves a simple straight cut. However there are other means of transition available to a film editor, e.g.
Fade to black Dissolve/cross fade Wipe What meaning could be created by the use of
the transitions above? As well as simply moving to another shot,
transitions can imply a passage of time or location, or emphasise a connection, perhaps what a character is thinking or dreaming about (dissolve/cross fade).
Fade – the preceding shot fades into black from
which the following shot emerges.
Fade – the preceding shot fades into black from
which the following shot emerges.
Fade – the preceding shot fades into black from
which the following shot emerges.
Dissolve or cross fade – the preceding shot merges into the following shot, resulting in the two shots being superimposed. The longer the dissolve the more noticeable the superimposition becomes.
Dissolve or cross fade – the preceding shot merges into the following shot, resulting in the two shots being superimposed. The longer the dissolve the more noticeable the superimposition becomes.
Dissolve or cross fade – the preceding shot merges into the following shot, resulting in the two shots being superimposed. The longer the dissolve the more noticeable the superimposition becomes.
Shot duration/pace The duration of a shot will usually reflect
the narrative context. Generally speaking short shot duration
conveys action and urgency (say in a chase sequence). Click here for a chase sequence from Die Another Day. See if you can count the number of shots!
Whilst long duration conveys intensity and intimacy within the narrative, it allows us to focus upon facial expression and other aspects of mise en scene which would otherwise be missed.
Some editing devices Parallel editing - crosscutting or
intercutting between different locations can convey the impression that two or more events are occurring simultaneously. This is often used to build tension.
split screen – where the frame is split into sections so that we can see different events occurring at the same time. This technique was used on the TV series 24.
Editing controls what information we get and when we get itWhen analysing a clip consider how editing techniques are used to control:What information is revealed to or hidden from
a) the characters?b) the audience?
As well as being used for dramatic effect, this control of information can tell you whose perspective is privileged - this is important when considering representation.