Film Editing Language.

A lot of films uses a system of editing known as continuity editing with its sole aim to get the story moving and to get the audience completely immersed in the plot. In drama sequences, the purposes of editing is often:

Identification Conflict Intensification

The function of this system is to make the drama as fluid as possible so that the audience isn't aware of the construction process. Therefore, you need to be aware of the editing techniques during a textual analysis. Sometimes sound bridges are used to 'bridge' the cut and make it less noticeable on screen.

The process of editing is more concerned with the creation or meaning rather than the taking away of material. Editing often works through the cutting of different shots to create meaning.

Editing Pace:

This is the speed and tempo of the cuts. Slow cuts suggest emotion and fast can suggest tension, action of uncontrollable events. This is the first most obvious thing to look for as it gives you an insight into the tempo and feel of the sequence.

There are a huge number of editing techniques which filmmakers can employ. This most of these is the cut- this is when editing works through the juxtaposition of different shots to create a meaning.

Matched cut: It creates a relationship between two things.

Jump cut: An abrupt cut from one scene to another.

Cross cut: A cut from narrative or line of action to another.

Cutaway: Cuts away to a reaction of something.

Match on action: Parallel actions are mirrored.

Fade: Transition to or from a blank screen.

Dissolve: Slow transition as one image merges to another.

Wipe: One shot wipes off another from the screen.

Superimposition: Two things placed on top of each other.

Effects: Added as part of the editing process.

Slow Motion: Action slows down which shows seriousness etc.

Montage: Lots of clips put together to show meaning.

Long take: Doesn't cut away but lingers on piece of action