Editing

After learning about sound and creating our own sound piece, we moved onto learning about editing, we were given a list of key terms to help develop our understanding of how editing works and what editing is used for.

Cut: it is the most basic but also most common transition, it is primarily used when one shot replaces another, the main reason for a cut is to make the scene run smoothly while the audience is watching different story lines and scenes, but still understand and can interpret the scene accurately. It is also used to show juxtaposition by placing two contrasting scenes and shots next to each other.

Main uses are:

• to change scene
• to compress time
• to vary point of view
• for a montage or to build up an image or idea

Matched Cut: editors use this cut to suggest a relationship or closeness between two people, two different objects, different spaces or two different compositions that are considered to graphically match.

Main uses involve:

• continuity of direction
• completed action
• a similar centre of attention in the frame
• a one-step change of shot (long to medium)
• a change of angle (conventionally at least 30 degrees)

Jump Cut: it is an abrupt cut in transition from one scene to another, it is effective and useful as it helps give the impression of time moving forward in a constant rate and at the same time of the previous scene being shown.

Motivated Cut: it is used to connect two scenes, it is often used to show two objects being far apart.

Cutting Rate: the cutting rate includes how many cuts is used within a specific scene, action films will have more cuts used as there is drama and action to show, opposed to scenes of dialogue in romantic films where there is less to focus on at one time meaning that there is fewer cuts.

Cutting Rhythm: is the speed of when edits come in and out of the scene, it can be used to build up tension and drama if it is either slowed down or being made faster.

Cross Cut: usually is used to show action in more than one location during the scene, the camera cuts away from one place and scene and then matches onto another one

Cut Away: it is an interruption of continuous action, by showing and inserting a view of something else, it is a reaction shot and helps to fill gaps or mistakes made while filming.

Insert: an insert places two images together to help the audience to understand different views in a story line to get the full picture of what is happening.

Transition in editing include:

• Buffer
• Fade/dissolve
• Superimpositions
• Wipe
• Inset
• Split Screen
• Stock Shot