Editing Techniques

Editing Techniques

Cut. Sudden change of shot from one viewpoint or location to another. Cutting may:

• change the scene;
• compress time;
• vary the point of view; or
• build up an image or idea.

There is always a reason for a cut, so ALWAYS ask what what the reason is.

Matched cut. In a 'matched cut' a familiar relationship between the shots may make the change seem smooth:

• continuity of direction;
• completed action;*
• a similar centre of attention in the frame;
• a one-step change of shot size (e.g. long to medium);
• a change of angle (usually at least 30 degrees).

*The cut is usually made on an action (for example, a person begins to turn towards a door in one shot; the next shot, taken from the doorway, catches him completing the turn). Because the viewer's eye is absorbed by the action he is unlikely to notice the movement of the cut itself. Used in most TV Dramas as is 'realistic'.

Jump cut. Abrupt switch from one scene to another which may be used deliberately to make a dramatic point. Sometimes boldly used to begin or end action. Alternatively, it may be result of poor pictorial continuity, perhaps from deleting a section.Used in most TV Dramas to signal change of scene

Motivated cut. Cut made just at the point where what has occurred makes the viewer immediately want to see something which is not currently visible (we can accept compression of time). Like the 180 degree rule - we expect to see people speaking. Editing and camera work appear to be determined by the action. Popular in all TV Drama due to the 'realistic' nature of it.

Cutting rate. Frequent cuts may be used as deliberate interruptions to shock, surprise or emphasize. Lots of quick cuts most likely to be used by crime dramas or thriller dramas - although popular all over and longer cuts most likely to be historical

Cutting rhythm. A cutting rhythm may be progressively shortened to increase tension. Cutting rhythm may create an exciting, lyrical or staccato effect in the viewer. Lots of quick cuts most likely to be used by crime/thriller/medicaldramas - although popular all over due to ease of building tension.

Cross-cut. A cut from one line of action to another. Also applied as an adjectuve to sequences which use such cuts.Often used with two storylines coming together - look for the speed of the cross-cuts

Cutaway/cutaway shot (CA). A bridging, intercut shot between two shots of the same subject. It represents a secondary activity occurring at the same time as the main action. It may be preceded by a look or glance out of frame by a participant, or it may show something of which those in the preceding shot are unaware. (See narrative style: parallel development) It may be used to avoid the technical ugliness of a 'jump cut' where there would be uncomfortable jumps in time, place or viewpoint. It is often used to shortcut the passing of time. Used in most TV Dramas to make the time realistic - most often in Drama's where collapsing of time is necessary - popular in historical drama.

Reaction shot. Any shot, usually a cutaway, in which a participant reacts to action which has just occurred. Extensively used in TV Drama as it represents real life - look for these reaction shots in clips as it can often reveal a lot about representation and highlight key props.

Insert/insert shot. A bridging close-up shot inserted into the larger context, offering an essential detail of the scene (or a reshooting of the action with a different shot size or angle.) Can be used in all TV Dramas usually with an extreme close up (E.g. A Medium Shot (MS) of a cirme scene, then cut to an ECU of a gun or bag of drugs, then returning to the MS)

Fade, dissolve (mix). Both fades and dissolves are gradual transitions between shots. In a fade the picture gradually appears from (fades in) or disappears to (fades out) a blank screen. A slow fade-in is a quiet introduction; a slow fade-out is a peaceful ending. Time lapses are often suggested fades. A dissolve (or mix) involves fading out one picture while fading up another on top of it. The impression is of an image merging into and then becoming another. A slow mix usually suggests differences in time and place.

Superimpositions. Two of more images placed directly over each other (e.g. someone writing over someone reading) Most likely to be used in historical or sci-fi

Wipe. An optical effect marking a transition between two shots. It appears to supplant an image by wiping it off the screen. The wipe is a technique which draws attention to itself and acts as a clear marker of change - can also show passage of time or move to a different place. Most likely to be used in sci-fi/fantasy dramas

Split screen. The division of the screen into parts which can show the viewer several images at the same time (sometimes uses for two people on the phone). This can convey the excitement and frenzy of certain activities, but it can also overload the viewer. Most likely to be used in Hollyoaks or Skins.

Stock shot. Footage already available and used for another purpose than the one for which it was originally filmed.Generally docu-drama but can be used in TV Drama to place it in context (e.g. showing stock footage of Martin Luther King/Barack Obama before cutting to a young black boy watching it in his bedroom can enhance a representaiton of ethnicity)

Editing Part 2 - Time and How to Do It coming soon ^_^