Research: Editing - Miss Begum

What is editing? Why is it important?

Editing is the process of manipulating the shot images together to create meaning and understanding towards the audience by filming the movie scene. It is important to use editing in films in order for create a proper sequence and achieve a smooth flow narrative. This is important as it create sense in the movie and increase feelings such as sadness, joy and excitement depending on which edit techniques used. For example fast pace editing will create suspense and anxiety due the editing techniques, whereas slow pace editing will make the viewers feel comfortable and relaxed. Editing can be classified into two section which are Edits and Transition.

Edits are the way the shots are cut into another frame which include:

Straight cut: is when the image is fluently cut in a natural way into another which is unnoticeable to the audience's eye. In this scene 'Salt' different straight cut are used fluently to introduce the other frames and create a clear narrative which is not really effective on the audience because it's unnoticeable as it comes naturally for the eye.

Jump cut: is when the image has a visible and drastic movement which is visible to the audience. It can confuse the viewers but at the same time engage them in the movie. A jump cut is used in 'Seven', at 0.16 where we see someone's hands cutting their own fingerprints with a blade. It distort the scene to make the audience question the rapid movement that just happen. The jump cut can foreshadows the negative events that may happen further in the scene, or perhaps the jump cut are used to not make the audience feel bored as they know how the action will occur. 

Cross cut: is used to establish action occurring at the same time in two different locations, which can suggest the simultaneity of these two movements but this is not always the case. However, in this scene from 'The Dark Knight' The cross cut is used when the antagonist is interrogated cross-cutting into a different room where people are listening to the interrogation.

This allow the audience to have different scenario to see, that complement the film narrative.

Reaction shot: is when the character respond to an action and the camera shows that with a medium close up or close up, so the audience will focus on it. For example, in 'We need to talk about Kevin' scene, we can see the protagonist's facial expression when she discover who is the murder. Her facial shows her disappointment and shocked feelings. This allow the audience connect with the character and feel the same emotion the protagonist is feeling.

Shot reverse shot: is when two character are having a conversation and the camera is over the shoulder to create understanding for the audience on who is speaking. In this thriller scene, 'The silence of the lambs' the shot reverse shot is used when the two character talk to each other. This makes the audience have a clear understanding and sees the reaction that the characters portrays. 

Slow pace editing: is when clips are put together with a normal pace. Slow editing is used in 'Skyfall' scene when the protagonist is having a conversation and exercising himself. The conversation is taking place with a normal pace and creates fluency throughout. The slow pace editing allow the audience make assumptions on the characters and their personalities, identifying whether they are the protagonist or antagonist. Also the normal pace editing determinate that nothing negative will happen, however the conversation may lead to problems and discussion.

Fast pace editing: is when clips are put together in a fast pace which are usually used in action scene to create excitement and anxiety to the audience. In this scene 'The Bourne Ultimatum' the fast pace editing is used when the protagonist runs through corridor and jump through windows, to reach the victim and protect her from the antagonist. Here the fast pace is complimented with the sound which build more excitement and adrenaline to the audience. Furthermore, the fast pace editing is used when the protagonist begin to fight the antagonist, which create more tension and builds suspense to the audience, which is conventional for a thriller movie.

Slow motion: is when the scene is slowed down, this is typically used to focus the reaction of the character which develop significance to the audience. For example, in this thriller movie, 'Resident Evil Apocalypse' when the protagonist shoots at the motorcycle, the bullets are slowed down to show her significant actions on how she manage to kill the antagonist. This allow the audience have more faith of her as she is agile and skillful which is conventional to the thriller genre. 

Montage: is when different shot are put together to demonstrate the compress time and conveys a lot of information in a relatively short period. From this scene, 'The grudge' we can see that montage has been used at 0.47 to recreate a background story of murders which makes the audience have a better understanding of the narrative of the movie. This can also confuse and scare the viewers as they cannot figure out the meaning of the sequence.

Transition is how the edit is changed and transformed into another frame with a filter which are:

Fade to black: is when a black filter is used between two shot to create a sense of darkness to the audience. It is usually used at the end of a movie or when someone dies to signify their end, as black connote death. However, this editing technique is also use in trailer movies to make the audience feel curious and not to spoiler too much about the movie. In 'The Ides of March' trailer the fade to black is repeatedly used to build curiosity and suspense.

Dissolve: is when an image disintegrate fluently into another which may build a sense of confusion to the audience. In the famous 'Psycho' scene a dissolve is used when the victim is dead and the shower hole dissolve into the victim's eye. This makes the audience suggest the emptiness of her quick life, which makes the audience feel sympathy for her. This is conventional to a thriller genre because the audience will feel sorry for the female victim.

180 rule: is when you imagine a straight line which divide the room and the camera must move only in one side, so the audience will not be confuse.

Wipe cut: is when the image slide into another to introduce a new shot. This type of editing is not very common in thriller movie because it doesn't look professional, but is mostly used in comedy series.

PUBLIC ENEMY SCENE EXTRA ANALYSIS:

 

In this following scene from the 'Public Enemy' movie, we can see that different edits are been used. The scene begin with slow pace editing which is complimented with a soundtrack. The slow pace editing alludes the audience that everything it's going to be alright, but the use of the eerie soundtrack foreshadows negative actions. Furthermore, we can see that different straight cut are used to introduce different characters which makes the spectators presume that the antihero is a criminal, as the people following him look like police men. As the scene proceed, we can see that a reaction shot is used at 0.40, when a mediocre character notice a man pointing a gun to the antihero's head. His facial expression is worried and shocked, which makes the audience feel thrilled as they assume that the shooter will kill the main character. Moreover, as the antihero continue to walk oblivious of the antagonist behind him, a slow motion is used to show his last seconds of living and make the audience feel in suspense as they are waiting for the actions that will occur eventually. Fast pace editing is used when the other characters run after the antihero, as he noticed the harm behind him that is portrayed which a reaction shot. He begin to panic and look for his gun in his pocket which makes the audience feel anxious. The antagonist is unable to shoot for an unknown reason, but as the antihero bumps into another person another antagonist is introduced killing the main character. The death of the antihero is demonstrated with the use of a slow motion and a reaction shot which allows the audience feel sympathy for him. The slow motion demonstrate the action taking place, making the viewers emphasis on the tragic death. The reaction shot help the spectators visualize the pain the antihero is feeling. The silence that take place after the death is sign of respect even though he was an antihero. This is because the audience had a connection with the the main character, which makes them harder to believe in his death. Lastly, the scene ends with the antihero whispering something to the character who shoot him. This create suspense and frustration among the audience because the last word the antihero has said are not revealed.

Conclusion:

 In conclusion as I analysed the editing techniques in detailed, I am more likely to make a professional opening thriller. For my thriller opening I would like to use different editing techniques. For example I will use slow motion in death scene to make the audience emphasis on the action taking place, whereas the fast pace editing will be used in fight scene to increase the level of action and excitement through the audience. I will use different reaction shot to make the viewers feel the same emotions the characters are feeling and shot reverse shot when the character are having a conversation. Lastly, I will use fade to black to end the scene to make the audience feel in suspense and make them understand that the opening has come to an end.