Time and How To Do It

Time Manipulation

Screen time: a period of time represented by events within a programme.

Subjective time. The time experienced or felt by a character, as revealed through camera movement and editing (e.g. when a frightened person's flight from danger is prolonged).

Compressed time. The compression of time between sequences or scenes, and within scenes. Achieved with cuts and editing. (E.g. it is logical for one shot of a guy putting his foot on the bottom stair and cutting to to him entering the room at the top or long journeys can be compressed into seconds). The use of dissolves and fades can sometimes be used to signifiy a long passing of time.

Long take. A single shot which lasts for a relatively lengthy period of time it can give an 'authentic' feel since it is not inherently dramatic.

Simultaneous time. Events presented as occurring at the same time, either by parallel editing or cross-cutting, or sometimes split-screen - often alternating.

Slow motion. Action which takes place on the screen at a slower rate than the rate at which the action took place before the camera. It usually emphasises an action.

Accelerated motion. This is used usually for humour or to speed up a slow action.

Reverse motion. Reproducing action backwards, for comic, magical or explanatory effect.

Replay. An action sequence repeated, (sometimes in slow motion).

Freeze-frame. This gives the image the appearance of a still photograph.

Flashback/Flashforward. A break in the chronology of a narrative in which events from the past (sometime future - more sci-fi drama) are disclosed to the viewer. Used to be signalled by defocus or ripple dissolves.

Extended or expanded time/overlapping action. Where the action is filmed from several angles and repeated to expand the time - sometimes used to give a different viewpoint.