PowerPoint Presentation

Film and Video Editing TechniquesMillie Casemore

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Provide a simple definition of what film editing isDEFINITION Editing is the technique of arranging shots into a sequence and creating a relationship between shot A and B. A film editor joins shot B onto the end of shot A.Shot AShot B

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Can you list some examples of early film editing? Think about the different ways that film makers could combine shots using the technology of the time. Include weblinks/images where necessaryLUMIERE BROTHERS In 1896, the Lumiere Brothers created Arrival of a Train at a Station which was simply recorded by placing a static camera and letting it record whatever action is in front of it. The Lumiere Brothers didnt believe in editing at all because they thought it would confuse the audience. This meant most of their recordings were just one take, long spanning clips of action (for example, the train).GEORGE MELIES In 1902, George Melies created A Trip To The Moon. Melies did in fact use editing in A Trip To The Moon, however every single shot is connected by a dissolve.EDWIN PORTER In 1903, Edwin Porter created The Great Train Robbery. Edwin Porter was one of the first filmmakers to start using editing and was renowned for discovering the shot. Instead of just using dissolves, Porter would use cuts in-between scenes. He also experimented with close-ups, panning shots and cutting away from a scene before it had reached a conclusion.

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Can you list some examples of early film editing? Think about the different ways that film makers could combine shots using the technology of the time. Include weblinks/images where necessaryGeorge Melies Journey To The Moon (1902)In 1902 George Melies created Journey To The Moon, also known as Le Voyage Dans La Lune. At first glance the film has no dialogue, its only accompanied by music, it is very static and the shots are locked. However, this film uses editing techniques which we still recognise and use today. Every single shot is connected by a dissolve as oppose to a cut. The shots are very long in comparison to todays films, but there is still an element of cut editing between each shot. In Journey To The Moon every single scene is filmed in a wide shot which is positioned as if there is an audience watching in a theatre.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JDaOOw0MEE

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Can you list some examples of early film editing? Think about the different ways that film makers could combine shots using the technology of the time. Include weblinks/images where necessaryEdwin S. Porter The Great Train Robbery In 1903, Edwin S. Porter created The Great Train Robbery, which is a silent film. The shots are quite long, however Edwin Porter was one of the first filmmakers to use cuts in between shots. Edwin Porter also used to cut away from scenes before the action had reached a conclusion. He experiments with various shot lengths and where they are filmed from. At some point throughout the film, Porter even uses a panning shot.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oTdPklBE0Y

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Describe the concept of montage and juxtaposition [remember Eisenstein and Kuleshov] and give an exampleEisenstien didnt actually create the concept of Montage, but he did in fact propose a far more revolutionary form of the montage concept. He said that montage was an idea that arises from the collision of independent shots. This essentially means when a series of shots are edited together in the correct order, they give an entirely different meaning to the sequence as oppose to them just being shown individually. There are various examples of this concept but one of the best examples is Battleship Potemkin. Eisenstien created Battleship Potekemin as a propaganda piece which is designed to give feelings of injustice. The sequence starts by showing a very large group of people running down stairs which is then has shots cutting in with scenes of soldiers, people in distress, and murder this gives the sequence an entirely new meaning. One shot shows a shot of a supposedly grieving mother which is then juxtaposed with shots of soldiers. This implies that the soldiers are murderers and heartless. If you were to view these shots separately or in the order they wouldnt have a lot of meaning or context. However, if you use the montage concept to create the sequence, the shots give the other shots an entirely different meaning than what they meant alone.Lev Kuleshov was one of the first to experiment with the montage concept and in fact created The Kuleshov Effect. This is an effect which Kuleshov says is when two contrasting shots are edited together also referred to a juxtaposition. He said that the audience with generate a different meaning behind a sequence depending on how the shots are edited together. One example of his experiment was when get got a still of an actor and placed an image beside the image of the actor to give meaning. The first one shots the actors image placed by the side of a woman laying in a coffin to portray sadness. The next one shows the image of the actor placed beside a bowl of soup, to portray hunger. Lastly, the image of the actor is placed beside a woman laying on a sofa to portray lust.

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List the types of cut/edit you can use and provide an example of each on in useCUTS A cut edit is an instant transition between two different shots.FADE-OUTS A fade-out is when the shot gets darker until the screen is completely black.FADE-INS A fade-in is essentially the opposite of a fade-out, the screen becomes lighter until the shot can be fully seen.DISSOLVES This edit is when shot A is very briefly overlaid over the beginning of shot B.WIPES A wipe is when there is a moving line which crosses over the screen, pushing shot A off screen and replacing it with Shot B.

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List the types of cut/edit you can use and provide an example of each on in useCUTS

FADE-OUTS

FADE-INS

DISSOLVES

WIPES

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Below, list the four relationships between shots Editing and Graphic Relationships (PICTURE)Editing and Rhythmic Relationships (RHYTHMIC)Editing and Temporal Relationships (TIME)Editing and Spatial Relationships (SPACE)

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For GRAPHIC relationships provide a description and examples of its usage [with a weblink to a sequence on YouTube and still frames where necessary you may add more slides if you need to]Editing and Graphic Relationships (PICTURE)DESCRIPTION This is when images are either edited to achieve graphical/pictoral continuity or graphical/pictoral contrast. Graphical/pictoral continuity is when a shot/scene doesnt have an colour clash or theres similarity of movement from shot to shot. Whereas graphical/pictoral contrast is when a shot/scene has a bold colour clash or there is opposite movement from shot to shot.EXAMPLE One example is a match cut is a cut which cuts from one shot to another by matching what is going on in the scene. In Grease (1978) a match cut is used during the Grease lightening shot. At the end of the scene, we see the fantasy version of what Danny and his friends car looks like, then it cuts into what the car actually looks like but theyre in exactly the same position used as a contrast. Another example is in The Frighteners (1996) when the woman is shooting and on the gun shot it switches to the girl. The bed and characters are in exactly the same place, but they just switch between two different actresses doing the same thing.

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For RYTHMIC relationships provide a description and examples of its usage [with a weblink to a sequence on YouTube and still frames where necessary you may add more slides if you need to]Editing and Rhythmic Relationships (RHYTHM) DESCRIPTION Rhythmic editing is used to control the tempo and pace of the film this is done by altering the shots duration. Films may use long or short takes to set the tempo of the scene.EXAMPLE In Iron Man, a fight scene takes place when Iron goes back to his captors lair. He kills all of his captors which free the civilians trapped there. This particular scene involves quite a lot of action so the editing is fairly fast paced to match action. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTqa-NEwUbs

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For TEMPORAL relationships provide a description and examples of its usage [with a weblink to a sequence on YouTube and still frames where necessary you may add more slides if you need to]Editing and Temporal Relationships (TIME)DESCRIPTION - This type of editing suggests that the time is either extending or contracting. The time is either moving forwards or backwards, these are called flash backs or flash forwards.EXAMPLE An example of this relationship is in Hot Fuzz which was directed by Edgar Wright. At the beginning of the film there is a shot sequence in a montage format, of Nicholas Angel, travelling from London to a quiet English village. Instead of just skipping time, Edgar Wright films short clips of Nicholas travelling to the village and edits them together in a fast paced 30 second sequence to show time moving forward.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8dFK5nI1YA

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Define the Hollywood method of continuity editing and why it became so prevalentThe Hollywood Method of continuity editing is widely used throughout the film industry. It is the process of editing related shots into a sequence to show a character carrying out and completing a mission/task - this is sometimes done using the ellipsis method. Ellipsis is shortening the plot duration by removing sections of the story to pass time quickly. It has been used throughout filmmaking due to how effective it at telling the story quickly and effectively. Many films adapt this method, some of the most famous are the Rocky series, Hot Fuzz and Karate Kid.EXAMPLE Mulan uses a montage around half way through the film. This montage is used as a training montage to show Mulan training to become stronger and trying to prove herself by aiming to climb the pole. The montage starts with Mulan and her fellow trainers being quite rubbish at everything and the army leader getting angry at them all. Towards the end of the montage we see Mulan struggling and lagging behind and being told to leave the army. Instead of leaving she attempts to climb the tall wooden pole which no one could climb. After her successful climb we see her getting a lot better and stronger. In the background there is Ill Make A Man Out Of You playing which is a somewhat inspirational song this is a classic for montages like this.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSS5dEeMX64

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Provide a description of a scene where the 180 degree line has been used, how does it provide spatial continuity/discontinuity?DESCRIPTION The 180 degree line is the space in which a scene is filmed along an 180 degree line, in order to create spatial relationships between people. The action will not take place beyond the so called 180 degree line and neither will the cameras. This rule is mainly used, and rarely broken, by film-makers when two people are having a conversation. An imaginary line is created straight down the middle of the two people (from a top-down view, it will be forehead to forehead), and the cameras will never cross this line. The film-makers will set up three cameras, two behind either persons shoulders and one in the centre of them. This rule allows the audience to keep track of what is happening in the scene and where it is taking place.EXAMPLE In Kingsmen: The Secret Service we see a perfect example of the 180 degree rule when Harry and Gary are having a conversation. We first see an establishing shot to allow the audience to gain an understanding of the environment and setting. Next it switches to a over shoulder shot of Gary so we can see who Harry is in conversation with. Then, the camera switches again to an over the shoulder shot of Harry so we can see the conversation from another angle and to engage the audience. This sequence continues throughout the conversation generally switching when another character is talking. This provides spatial continuity because there is an establishing shot, and the two over the shoulder shots which do not break the 180 degree rule. If they were to break this rule, then the scene would achieve spatial discontinuity which would confuse the audience.

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POV and identification explain how we are invited to identify with a character through POV and shot reverse shotPOV SHOT A point of view shot (POV) is used, in film, to establish what a character is looking at. The POV shot isnt always from a first person perspective and I usually used from a 3rd person perspective through an over shoulder shot. A POV shot is used in unison with a reverse shot which shows the characters reaction therefor linking the two shots together to give meaning. Usually a reverse shot is used before or after showing a POV shot.SHOT REVERSE SHOT This is a sequence used in film editing which relates to the POV shot and reverse shot. As mentioned earlier it is used to establish what a character is looking at or who they are talking to. Shot 1 generally shows the character looking at something, Shot 2 shows what they are looking at, and Shot 3 (which becomes Shot 1) shows their reaction to what theyve looking at.EXAMPLE One example is in Spider-Man shows a man looking at something after hearing a voice. We then switch to a shot of what he is looking at. Then the voice replies and we switch back to a shot of his reaction. This sequence continues on for about 30 seconds as the man tries to find where the voice is coming from. In these terms, shot-reverse-shot is used to create mystery and tension. This is a prime example of shot reverse shot because it uses three shots to establish what the character is looking at and his reaction.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0xiCIMIwLY

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Provide a definition of cross-cutting/parallel editing, what is so effective about this technique? Where might a director use it?CROSS-CUTTING Cross-cutting is essentially cutting between two or more locations where action is occurring. The camera will cut away from one place where action is taking place (eg. A fight) to a separate location where there is similar or different action taking place. EFFECTIVENESS AND USE Cross-cutting is very effective in creating tension, contrast and drama. It is effective in creating tension and drama by showing the action in one location and then another which somehow link together. This could be used to show what a character is thinking, allowing the audience to see the fate or perhaps the other character in the other location. Another way it is effective is because it is perfect for contrasting scenes together. Filmmakers could show one location where there is fighting and drama, then switch in-between another location where it is tranquil and calm.EXAMPLE One example is Inception, where cross-cutting is used to switch between to locations where fighting is taking place. The first location we see is a car chase/fight between various vans, cars and motorbikes. The scene we see this switching between is a man in a hotel fighting with another man (both are dressed in formal attire). Towards the end of the clip the room begins spinning slowly which is used in contrast with the other location where a van is falling down a slope in slow motion both are turning.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmptU7vEkNU

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What is Ellipsis? Select an example and explain how it worksDEFINTION Ellipsis is essentially used in film to shorten the plot. This is done by removing certain parts of the plot, with the remaining shots being edited together to allow the audience to try and understand and piece together what has happened this is used to pass time. These ellipsis are marked by a transition such as a fade, dissolve, wipe, jump cut or change of scene. One very famous ellipsis is in 2001: A Space Odyssey when Kubrick cuts from a bone to a space station.EXAMPLE One example is Disneys Up. At the beginning of the film there is a decent length montage showing snippets of Carl and Ellies life in order to pass time through their married life. We first see them getting married and moving in together. Then we see them going on romantic dates and their jobs. Next we see them fantasising about having a baby, but then it switches to Ellie in the doctors office presumably being told shes had a miscarriage. The montage continues to show their life developing as they get older, ending in Ellies death. This is quite a slow paced example of ellipsis but it is still the editing of shots with sections removed to show the passing of time.

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What is meant by the term intensified continuity? Why do you think continuity editing has developed in this way? DEFINTION Intensified continuity is essentially the idea that over the history of film, the amount of shots within films has increased greatly and that there is an increase in camera movements. There are theories as to why the amount of shots has increased, but the main reason is because peoples attention spans have shortened and we want more action and hyperactive scenes. Film-makers use quick-cut scenes, especially in action movies, to create fast paced and dramatic scenes for people to watch.AVERAGE SHOT LENGTHS The average film, today, has around 1250 individual shots. For action films or hyper-fast edited films it nearer 3,000. Whereas pre 1990, films had longer shot lengths and less shots in them altogether. For example, Rear Window (1954), the average shot length is 8.4 seconds. However, the average shot length in Saw II (2005) is 1.74 seconds. This is just one example out of many of how films have progressed to have faster editing and more shots within them to entertain audiences with ever shortening attention spans.

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Your Case Study

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Free choice case studyYour individual case study should describe the development of editing in film and aim to highlight the different aspects of editing discussed in the lecture [with examples]You should select at least 2 different examples/clips to discuss you should include links to these and use still images to support your argumentsUse the questions listed on the next slide to start your investigations

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Questions to askWhen any two shots are joined, you can ask several questions:How are the shots graphically continuous or discontinuous?What rhythmic relations are created?Are the shots spatially continuous? If not, what creates the spatial discontinuity? [Cross-cutting? Ambiguous cues?] If the shots are continuous, how does the 180-degree system create the continuity?Are the shots temporally continuous? If so, what creates the continuity? [e.g. matches on action?] If not, what creates the discontinuity?

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Shaun Of The Dead The Planhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeJzHSxRq40 The scene which I have decided to talk about is a scene in Shaun Of The Dead where Shaun I explaining his plan to get somewhere safe to Ed. This scene starts by Shaun and Ed debating about how they are going to get to a safe place. Shaun thinks of an idea, which we are then shown on screen. This repeats three times, with their final idea being the one they choose. When we are not seeing the ideas in Shauns head, we are seeing a conversation between him and Ed which uses the 180 degree rule. It starts off with a zooming out shot of Ed asking Shaun So, whats the plan, as Shaun turns around the camera switches so we can see Shaun. This sequence of switching between the talking characters, continues throughout the next two discussion scenes, until they have decided on the plan, then an establishing shot is used. This 180 degree rule is used in order to create spatial continuity for the audience.When, we as an audience, see the three plans that the boys come up with we see them in short snapshots of each plan point. Every time we see the improved plan, the snapshots get shorter. For example, in the first plan we see Shaun and Ed taking care of Phillip, as he kills Phillip, he says Im so sorry Phillip. In the next plan, he says Sorry Phillip which is a significantly shorter shot. On the final plan, he just says Sorry and then moves on to the next plot point. As Shaun explains the plan again and again, he describes it in less detail. In the first plan he describes it through in sentences, in the second one it gets shorter and in the final one Shaun uses around two or three words to describe each plot point. This type of editing creates a temporal relationship for the audience. This means, that each plan is edited in this way to contract time and each plan gets shorter each time so it gets more comedic, intense and exciting for the viewer, also so the plan doesnt become repetitive. You could also argue that in this particular scene, a rhythmic relationship is created because editing is used to control the pace of the film. The editing uses shorter takes and shorter takes as the plan gets repeated (as I said earlier) to create more action and a more intense viewing for the audience.This film uses continuity editing, and this particular scene is a montage of a plan or mission which uses the general structure of an ellipsis montage. Each plan has unnecessary parts cut out of the scene. This is done to shorten the plot and pass time quicker. As I mentioned earlier, each plan gets shorter every time it is repeated this is because there becomes more and more unnecessary points as the plan gets repeated so it is simply cut out to shorten time and create a dramatic effect. Throughout this montage, intense mission music is played to add comedic affect and to also make the montage more interesting a common feature of this type of montage. The editing is a lot quicker throughout the plan sequences than it is throughout the conversation parts. This is mainly because during the discussion scenes there is no action, whereas in the plan scenes the shots are editing to match the action therefore setting the pace of the scene.

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Knight and Day Car Fight Scenehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcEXR8GBWmg The second scene which I have decided to discuss is a scene from the film Knight and Day, and it is the scene where June is being kidnapped and Roy comes to help her escape. This scene is heavily action based, thus implying very short and snappy editing. A rhythmic relationship is created because editing is used to change the tempo of the scene. Because, as I mentioned, the scene is heavily actioned based so the tempo will be very quick. In order to create this quick tempo, very short, action filled shots are used. When Roy lands on the car trying to save June, the 180 degree line rule is used to initiate discussion and to allow the audience to understand is happening spatial continuity occurs. We see Roy land on the front or the car. The camera switches to June who is panicking and screaming. Next it switches to Roy who says Hey June, we then switch back to June who is telling him to move. Again we switch back to an over the shoulder shot of Roy again this sequence continues until conversation is broken. This allows the audiences to gain a full understanding of what is happening without getting confused.Finally, we see June trying to control the car after all of the kidnappers have been shot. Suddenly she takes her eyes off the road because she is looking at something. The camera then switches so we can see what she is looking at, which turns out to be a reflection of Roy on the motorbike in the wing mirror (this is the POV shot). Finally it switches back to June so we can see her reaction to what she has just seen. This shot-reverse-shot allows the audience to engage fully with the main character and it creates more mystery/tension.

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