Courtney Fishwick

Describe, explain and critically assess the early development and the purposes of film editing.

Editing is the art, technique, and practice of assembling shots into a coherent

sequence’. Film editing is and always has been the most important and crucial part of film production and has developed and progressed vastly over the years. Film editing is the ‘invisible art’ that creates the emotion and story in a film with the use of several techniques and camera angles, which contribute to portray elements of the film in different ways. Also, editing is useful with regards to shortening film shots both chronologically and non-chronologically. Film editing allows the technique of shortening footage and placing it in the correct order for the final product. Although it is something that is quite time consuming, film editing holds the ability of distorting and reconstructing film and sound into something that provokes emotion and suspense. Film editing really is the magic behind the footage. Without the advanced capability of film editing methods, movies today wouldn’t be as visually captivating and technical as they are today. In this essay I will explore the development and advances of film editing and its role in contribution to film production. In camera editing is ‘a technique where, instead of editing the shots in a film into sequence after shooting, the cinematographer instead shoots the sequences in strict order. The resulting 'edit' is therefore already complete when the film is developed.’ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-camera_editing) In camera editing is beneficial due to the fact of having no major equipment or tools, all it requires is editing software and a camera. This technique involves editing while you shoot the material, enabling the editor to gather an insight of how the final produced piece will turn out. This saves time and effort when collectively editing everything after the filming has concluded. Perhaps the idea of in camera editing can be branded as not editing at all. This is because, as the shots are filmed in chronological order and appears in the length that it will be at the end of the finished product, a rough end product is already made as soon as you recording the footage is complete. An example of use of in camera editing is Alfred Hitchcock’s use of this method, basing most of his editing techniques around in camera editing due to efficiency and clarity of the end product of his films.

Following the action is a term used to reference, quite literally, following the action that is being followed when filming. This technique is particularly used in scenarios consisting of the protagonist moving (running, walking etc..), car chases, moving vehicles or even just a simple setting. This technique is useful when giving the audience the illusion and feel that they are actually involved in the movie and following whatever kind of action is taking place, contributing to the suspense and audience involvement. When filming this particular technique, equipment such as a dollie is used. This is the appropriate equipment for this filming technique as opposed to the traditional camera and tripod as it is much smoother to run and does not appear bulky and rigged. ‘Most dollies also have the ability to move vertically to capture footage that maybe

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high up or in some cases they can be fitted with cranes so footage at a higher level can be captured easily and successfully.’ (http://sokamahe.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/following-action-sm.html) One particular example of following the action is in Fast and Furious 6, during the tunnel chase. It is clear to see that the camera is following the cars, almost participating in the chase. This gives the audience the impression that they are also part of the chase, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkdY5Lv5xeA

Multiple points of view is a technique consisting of particular action occurring in a scene involving a number of different characters. The idea of this is for the camera to follow each character and what they may be doing. One camera will focus on one character in particular, and another camera will be designated to a different character. This gives the effect of showing the audience what multiple characters are doing at the exact same moment in time, meaning that the audience are able to view multiple settings/action at the same time without the involvement of time development. Additionally, it has the effect of detailing the scene from the point of view from all characters involved, almost placing the viewer in the viewpoint of the involved characters. The audiences viewpoint are from the eyes of the main character/the character in the scene at this particular time. This contributes to suspense as the audience has no idea what they are about to view next, almost portraying the mindset of the focused character. One example of this is in The Shining when Danny is travelling around the hotel on his bike and comes into the presence of the Grady twins.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMbI7DmLCNIin this scene, we view it both from the viewpoint of the main character at this point (Danny) and also from behind him, almost like we are following him. The effect of this is to build up tension and suspense, almost asking ourselves what is about to happen next. When Danny finally meets the twins, as the audience we are almost startled as we are seeing it at the same time as Danny is seeing them too.

Shot variation is literally what it’s name entails; a variation of different shots. These shots contribute to effect in the main film sequence. These shots include:

Long shot: A shot that entails a full image of the action in a shot, detailing in full whatever is the focus of the shot.

Medium shot: A shot that does not allow the viewer to see the whole frame however isolates the subject from the background. It is more commonly used to focus on a particular part of the subject.

Close-up: A shot that zooms in on the subject, completely focusing on it. The subject is the main focus of the audience’s viewpoint and nothing else is introduced in this shot. It is completely used for focusing on one main aspect of the shot.

Extreme long shot: A shot just like an original long shot, only filmed further away, and involving the subjects surroundings. This establishes the setting of the entire frame.

By using a range of varied shots, the viewer has the ability to view the scene from several viewpoints. The particular shot used dominates the audience’s viewpoint, controlling the way they view a certain viewpoint in a certain way.

Manipulation of Diegetic Time and Space is a technique that portrays the effect of a character, object or place appear as if it is changing over time. This has the effect of making the audience aware that time is effecting a particular subject in the film. It should make the audience easily recognise that something is changing or adapting to time progression in the film. Films use this to skip through time periods such as hours, days or even months. This is extremely effective as it portrays the effect of time progression without actually having to film the shots over the actual length of time. It gives an illusion of almost time travel activity.

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One particular example of this is in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban when Harry and Hermione travel back in time to retrace their previous actions. This portrays the effect of the two characters in this scene, Harry and Hermione, travelling back in time without actually doing so. It is almost a confusion to the audience. Furthermore, this has the effect of emphasising the idea that Harry and Hermione are stuck in the moment as everything else is happening at a fast pace around them whilst they are still. This is portrayed through a time lapse to show the progression of time in this particular scene.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjPb3ziyYYo

Analogue and digital editing are both methods used to edit film footage. Analogue editing consists of a method that doesn’t involve technology or computing. The editor using analogue editing would receive a copy of the footage named the work print, which was all completed by hand. This method included cutting and pasting a collection of different frames of film into chronological order by hand and creating film this way. It would then be processes through a machine such as the K.E.M or the Moviola. On the other hand, digital editing is the more technologically advanced method of editing film and video. It is commonly used today via software programs such as Final Cut Pro. The footage can be uploaded to the software and all of the individual clips can be accessed via a timeline and placed in a specific order. Audio and effects can be added in the process. This software proves easier, more compact and more efficient to use as opposed to analogue editing due to the technological advances and ability of the program compared to what an editor would be able to achieve if they were to edit it all by hand. The differences between analogue editing and digital editing are truly remarkable. To compare the two methods of editing, digital editing is much more advanced due to the option of being able to add sound, effect and a range of edits to the footage. Additionally, the editor is able to control the way that the audience perceives the final footage via adding suspense and emotion where necessary to conclude the completed edit.Although analogue editing would’ve been the advanced method of editing in its time, it is clear to see the vast way editing methods have developed as time and technology has progressed. If editing had remained in an analogue formality, films would not consist of the amount of special effects and techniques as they do today.

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Seamless editing/continuity editing is editing in such a way as the cuts or dissolves (or other transitions) don't call attention to themselves as a technique. The initial purpose of this technique is not to highlight the advances in film editing, but more to tell the story of the film and how it progresses. Seamless editing techniques are more commonly used as they are not particularly noticeable by the audience. If they are unnoticeable, the film tends to run more smoothly and will appear neater and more compact when finalised. Film editors will use a lot of editing techniques in their work but will make them appear almost invisible, contributing to the progression, emotion and suspense that the audience is meant to feel when they watch a particular scene consisting of this editing technique. This particular technique is evident in To Kill a Mockingbird during the court trail scene. During this scene, the camera abides to the 180 degree rule, following the main characters around the scene, helping the audience to understand what is happening during every second of the scene.

Additional to this, eye line match is also used in this scene as whenever two characters are engaging in conversation, their eye line appears to line up with the other persons. For example when Atticus is speaking to Tom, it is clear to see that both characters are making eye contact with one another. This places emphasis on the atmosphere and drama contained within this scene to the audience. Another camera effect used in this scene is a close up, when Mayella is speaking about the alleged incident. The effect of this is to focus on what Mayella is saying and also focus on her facial expression. This plays an important part as the audience can probably infer that Mayella is lying under oath, and therefore by placing emphasis and zooming in on her face it is almost as if the audience

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themselves are also placing pressure on her as well as Atticus.

Also contributing to atmosphere in this scene is the role of music during the court scene. No background music is involved in this scene at all, except from the ticking of the clock, which proves quite loud and seemingly holds a lot of suspense and pressure. The lack of background music in this particular scene allows the audience to focus primarily on the content of the characters dialogue and the significance of it. The ticking of the clock is perhaps a discreet symbolism of the fact that time is running out for one of the characters within the court as their time is about to run out. It helps the audience to feel like they are actually sitting there in the court with the characters.

Providing and withholding information is used in Pulp Fiction, when Vincent turns up to Mia’s house to take her on a date. In this scene we see Vincent enter the house to be greeted by Mia’s voice via speakers rather than Mia herself waiting for him upon his arrival. Providing and withholding information plays a specific role in this scene as, although we have not yet seen Mia’s face to identify the character as her, the audience is able to identify her distinguished

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trademarks, for example her cropped black hair and her bold red lips.

It is evident that the woman in the scene is Mia without even seeing her face. This particular scene also uses the effect of cutting between Mia and Vincent, during the same moment of time. This has the effect of juxtaposing the two main characters, portraying Mia seemingly taking drugs and Vincent drinking alcohol. This provides the audience with further and developed information, showing that Mia is a frequent drug user and Vincent seemingly drinks alcohol. This effect widens the audience’s knowledge towards understanding both characters in this scene.

Additionally, some of this scene is shot from a point of view shot, mainly from the viewpoint of Mia. In this scene, we see the shot of what seems to be security cameras, elaborating what Mia is seeing at this moment in time, almost like the audience is taking on the eyes and the role of Mia. This helps the audience to

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empathise with the protagonists in this particular scene.

Another effective technique in this scene is a transition. This can be seen when Vincent is on his way to Mia’s home in his car. Initially, the car is quite dark in the first place, with enough light to focus on Vincent’s face. The transition is evident when the focus on Vincent’s face fades to black, from which we are able to infer that a new scene is about to take place.

Bibliography

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-camera_editing

http://sokamahe.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/following-action-sm.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkdY5Lv5xeA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMbI7DmLCNI