Unit 16

Unit 16: What is editing?

Define the definition of "What is Editing?'

What is Editing? Editing is the arranging video material and audio clips, correctly placing the videos and sounds where they are best suited. Editing is done to make sure the finalised product is suitable for it's targeted audience and unwanted footage and sounds are removed. The editing stage is usually carried out by a group of workers called "editors", this is usually done in the post production stage. Their objective is to properly sequence (put together) scenes to achieve a smooth flow for their product. i.e. songs, movies, television, books, E-Books.

Origins of Editing

The origins of editing came after the invention of the cinematograph, this was the first motion film camera, the cinematograph was invented by the Lumiere brothers, the reason for the Lumiere brothers being so important was because they invented motion pictures (Film) The Lumiere brothers made the first films titled "Workers Leaving a Factory" and "The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat." Editing truly began when former magician George Melies became a film enthusiast. Melies used his stage illusion skills to inspire to his films, Melies was filming one day when his camera captured the footage of a bus driving past, suddenly his camera jammed. By the time his camera started working again the bus had gone and a hearse had taken it's place. When looking back at the footage Melies discovered that the bus had changed into a hearse. This technique became known as the jump cut, Melies would apply this effect to his movies several times.

Continuity Editing

Jump Cut:
The Jump Cut is an editing technique that cuts from one subject to another, the camera angle would change slightly or not move. Jump cuts are also used to compress time, sometimes jumping forward in time. This jump can also be used to change mood and tone. one scene may have an old lady talking to her nephew, then jump cutting to an intense action sequence. An example of this is used when a door is about to close but just before it snaps in place; a book slamming against table is the next scene. (Stranger Things).

Shot Reverse Shot:
Shot Reverse Shot is a technique used for two characters exchanging dialogue. This technique is used to show one character talking to another character, the camera will cut back and forth between two characters talking to each other. An example of this is in the Netflix original series Stranger Things. In this scene Sheriff Hopper is asking the three main characters whether or not they know about their friend's disappearance. The reason this shot is used is to show who's talking to who.

180 Degree Rule:
The 180 egree rule imagines theres an invisible axis between the characters and the camera, the camera will always stay on one side on the axis while the characters will always stay on the other. The idea behind the 180 degree rule is to maintain the screen direction of the actors or the action taking place in the scene. An example of this is in the Netflix Series Stranger Things. In this scene Billy Hargrove talks to Steve Harrington, two rivals. The camera is placed on Billy's right side, for Steve it's placed on his left. The camera is staying on their sides as it stays consistent with the 180 degree rule.

Match on Action:
Match on action is a technique commonly used in action movies, but this technique can also be used more subtly. This edit is used for when an action from a subject in one scene carries on into the next scene. I. E. When the subject goes to open a door, the first frame could have their their hand holding the door handle, then cutting to another perspective of the door opening. Another example is when a subject is punching another character. Just before the punch lands the camera will switch to another preceptive and the punch will follow through. This gives the cut a good sense of continuity. This cut is used in Stranger Things when Steve Harrington lands a punch across Billy Hargrove's face. When this cut is used we are suddenly pushed into an action sequence.

Relational Editing:

Parallelism:
Parallelism is a way of connecting two scenes visually by matching certain elements within the scene. This style of editing is used to cut to another scene, whether thats forward in time or same time, different space. An example of this is in 2016's Batman vs Superman Dawn of Justice. There is a visional parallelism where Bruce Wayne is holding a bouquet of flower to give to his late mother, a peaceful guesture, near the end of the film the same character is now holding a spear, a violent act of murder. The camera is placed in the same position to show how far the character has changed, and gone. Furthermore the camera shots are opposite to each other; where Bruce wayne is holding the flowers he is on the right ride, When he is holding the spear he is on the left side, the wrong side.

Symbolism:
Symbolism is used for visually, written representation for a subject. This is used to show metaphors translated to screen. This editing style is used for audience members to take and understand. An example of this effect being used is in the 2017 film War for the Planet of the Apes. When the main character Caesar is strapped to a large cross. The symbolsim here is that Caesar has become a Jesus like character. Through the series Caesar has been playing a Jesus like figure, building a cause and having his people by his side, the stories even goes far as to make his friend like the character of Judas, a character who later betrayed Caesar.

Montage or Thematic Editing:

Analitycal editing:
This editing technique is used to zoom in on a subject or object, cutting in close to the action. This happens in the same scene but is broken up into separate framing. A long shot would show an entire space, a closer shot will enlarge small objects or facial expressions. This editing is used in the 2014 Sci-fi hit Interstellar. When the main character is landing his ship the camera will cut back and forth to the ship from the outside, turning on it's side and then cutting to a close up of the main character's face. Showing his facial expressions.

Flash Black:
The flash back is an editing technique used to show the history of a character, also used to fill in on the audience what the character had done and been through. This is mostly used to give an emotional moment for the character. This technique also compresses time. A flashback is used in Netflix's Daredevil when the main character is explaining to his friend why he started his vigilante acts. In this scene Matthew Murdock beats a man for his crimes and threatens him, telling him if he does his crimes once more; Matt will kill him. The scene then cuts back to matt in present time telling that story to his friend. This effect is used to info the audience of the character's intensions and make the audience sympathise with Matthew Murdock.

Parallel Editing:
Parallel editing is used for showing different characters in different locations but being placed in the same time frame, this alternates between two or more scenes. In the movie creed, Adonis Creed is training for his big boxing match. As he is training the scenes cut back and forth to his opponent also training for the match to come. This tells the audience both characters are preparing and are working at the same time.

Conclusion:
Editing is important because it is key to mixing sounds and images, editing helps to give an emotional connection to the film we, the audience are watching. editing helps structure narrative flows and helps improves movies, music videos and songs.