Task 1 - Understanding the developement and principles of editing

Video Editing Blog

This blog will be dedicated on my understanding of editing techniques to show that I do indeed have an understanding of each one:

In-camera editing: This technique is used when film studios want to save time by filming in order of shots rather than filming various scenes in in a non-sequential order. This way, when they're content with their shots and render them into an editing tool e.g. Media Composer, Premiere Pro. The scenes are already in the correct order for editing.

Following the action: This an type of shot used by camera operators and can be seen in countless TV shows and feature length films. Its simply where the camera follows the main element of the scene. For example; During the first part of the seventh Harry Potter film, there is a scene where Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron(Rupert Grant) and Hermione (Emma Watson) are being chased by a group of wizards known as 'Snatchers', who work for the dark lord 'Voldemort'.

During the scene are prime examples of this very action where the characters are being followed by the camera at certain points with a number of different shots thrown in.

Multiple points of view: This is one of the more complex angles since it involves looking from different points of view or POV for different characters within one scene. It's about looking at their perspective of a scene or situation. e.g.  During the final battle in the first Iron Man, the scene where the main antagonist is defeated. We see the scene from the Iron Monger's (Jeff Bridges) point of view along with Pepper's (Gwyneth Paltrow) and Tony Stark's (Robert Downey Jr). Interestingly enough, this particular scene was actually cut down with the final cut of the movie either to fit the maximum movie run time or because the scene dragged on a bit too long.

Shot variation: Using shot variation means that when shooting scenes, it's always a great idea to film certain shots using a variety of different angles to help the scene run more smoothly and more uniquely. The best way to describe this would be to use an example

Manipulation of diegetic time and space: In film and TV (primarily film) some stories can span years at a time. However studios cannot fit an entire timeline into a 2-3 hour feature film. So to cut through these years, the studio will use Manipulation of diegetic time and space which involves a transition through time in such a way that we can still gather what is happening. E.g. from child to adult. This could simply be a time-lapse or something a bit more imaginable. An excellent example of this very technique being used would be another scene from the Harry Potter collection. This time, the scene below is from the third instalment of the series, 'The Prisoner of Azkaban', where Harry and Hermione jump back in time to save Sirius Black (An innocent man) escape a room in Professor Flitwick's Office.

Purposes:


Storytelling: When it comes to a film or music video or maybe even a television show is obviously the story. Without one, where is everything going? who are these people? why am I paying to watch this? Storytelling is the bread and butter of the Media Universe. It's what drives every article in the news and its what takes us through a film which I will mainly focus on. If there is one thing that a film needs, it's the story. You may have amazing visuals complete with explosions (Michael Bay) however if your plot isn't up to scratch then it'll most likely flop. When consumers go to a cinema to view what should be an amazing experience, then they need to be gripped into the film, immersed into it's universe and lore. Encountering a multitude of characters and exploring their backstory and truly feel their loses and pains. I've seen examples of this and my most recent memory of this would have to again Harry Potter with the scene Dobby the House Elf died where people literally cried in theatres.

When you make people ball over and cry; you know you've done something right. To experience something that would otherwise be impossible.


Combining shots into sequence: The art of combining a collection of clips and audio to create an understandable linear/non linear storyline is key to film. Unless you're aiming at confusing your audience with extremely twisted storylines and endings like for example; Donnie Darko and Inception. These two present very different ways of confusing their audience; Donnie Darko since it involves the theory of time-travel and ghostly apparitions from the future and Inception for it's involvement with the concept of dreams within dreams. These require piecing together to fully understand what is happening which you don't get with most feature films. I'm mentioning this because while these are brilliant films, the style of editing that's been place on them an ideal example of combining shots into sequence because while they are hard to get your head round, they weren't just thrown together.

Creating Pace: This is another factor into editing films, music videos etc. Pacing between clips and scenes is VERY important and crucial for every scene within the previously mentioned products. If you edit clips where there isn't enough time between them or certain clips running for too long then it will effect the product's quality. If shots are cut too shortly then not only will it appear unnatural but ultimately that clip is useless and wasted. Running shots longer than their welcomed are also bad because again; it feels unnatural but it's also boring especially if there isn't anything actually happening that advances the plot in ANY way. Example time.
 Personally for me, I find this not only a waste of time but also a waste of film. It's boring and unnecessary.

Fast Pacing Example -

Slow Pacing Example -

Conventions and Techniques:

Seamless: Where in novels, film and television; the storyline is constantly consistent to its plot without diverting from its original path. As if it were taken in one shot but not literally.

Continuity: Where certain elements and plotlines from earlier in a film's storyline or from a previous episode is either mentioned or reused later in the story.

Motivated: A technique that almost all films have. It's where an object, character or anything previously not referenced in any frame appears i.e: Two characters are sat in a box shaped room with a door at a high angle shot until the shot changes to a long shot of the tow characters with the door in view where a completely new characters walks in.

Montage: A montage is a collection of short clips with up beat music playing over them. The use of this technique is commonly used for a length of time where a character or a group of characters are engaged in an event that may impact the narrative of the story's plot but to cut time, editors use this to chop up the clips and link them together while still making sense.

below is an example taken from the beginning of the hilarious Hot Fuzz by Cornetto Studios:

Jump-Cutting: This technique involves the use of cutting to a different shot, however rather than being focused on something different. Jump-Cutting is about focusing on the same person or object just at a slightly different angle. This can be used for certain things in film and TV; sometimes it is used as a form of inducing a feeling of in-superiority, while is also used to make scene appear quicker.

For an example, this is a clip taken from Royal Tenebaums where the scene in the bathroom constantly jump-cuts to different points where the bloke is cutting his hair. The camera remains static throughout the entire part of this scene however it creates gaps between each clip to make the shot feel quicker.

Parallel Editing: Parallel editing is where two seemingly separate scenarios are edited together simultaneously one after the other. This means that these two scenes are probably happening at the same times as each other only in different locations. This is used sometimes as a way of building tension like if a criminal has hostages at gun point in an apartment block at which point will see the police climb the stairs of said apartment.

As an example. This is a clip from The Silence of the Lambs where police are attempting to apprehend a man equip with a gun.

Another more recent example of this would be from The Dark Knight where Batman and the police are trying to save Harvey Dent and Rachel. However things get very mixed up in the process.

180 Degree Rule: This involves the actual placement of a camera. Say for example if you were to imagine an invisible line known as the 'Line of Action', with one person at one end while another person is at the other. They are engaged in a conversation with each other. Now imagine an 180 degree (A half circle) on one side of the line so it resembles this. This curve is where cameras are only to be place at a time. This technique is used to ensure that viewers are not confused into thinking sudden changes of character placements in a room.

Splicing: This technique involves the use of cutting physical film and replacing then into different points on the stretch of film. This is used as a way of editing together separate pieces of film to form a physical track. This technique was recently used on films such as Super 8.

Transition: This another technique that is used for bridging the gap between different shots. These can be as simple as a cut between to more sophisticated transitions such as wipes, fades, a zoom-by. These are used as a means of making these bridges more interesting and engaging for viewers.

Cutaways: These are a technique which are used often by editors instead of using a simple cut or transition. A Cutaway is where there is a longer scene that is cut to another shot at is typically unrelated or parallel to the previous shot. For example; there is a shot of a man making his way down a pier during a sunny day. It then cuts to a Seagull feeding on some chips that have been dropped on the floor and then cuts back to the previous shot of the man walking along the pier.

Point-of-View Shot: Just like it sounds; this is a shot that is commonly used typically in horror themed television shows and films. It's where the camera is placed a character's eyes a located depending on the previous shot and the view that you are experiencing is the character's point of perspective.

Providing and Withholding Information: This is the process used in film and tv which involves how much information the narrative gives. Some take away information from the audience which can either mislead or confuse them or alternatively; the narrative can offer more information. Giving the audience more perspective of what's happening in a story's narrative.

Editing Rhythm: This is where clips are edited together in sequence to what's happening in the scene e.g. If we have a car chase scene; the clips will edited together to be more fast paced where as a calm scene about a man playing a piano, then the clips will be paced to be slower to fit with the scene's mood.

Cutting to Soundtrack: This is somewhat similar to Editing Rhythm but rather is a technique that cuts to a soundtrack which means how the clips are motivated by the sound within a scene.