~ Continuity Editing ~

Now, onto Continuity Editing. 

       Continuity editing is a technique for the director to make sure the film runs as smoothly as possible. The audience must be able to connect with the film as much as possible. This technique is also known as transparency editing as the audience must not be able to notice the edits that have been done to the film. The film must be like the audience are watching the narrative take place in real life, not just a movie. This technique makes the audience feel it is easy to understand the narrative and dialogue of the film.

    They want the film to have a seamless editing feel to it so the audience can understand the narrative more smoothly. Continuity editing is what film makers use to make sure the editing doesn't stand out in a bad way, that makes the audience feel confused or it is hard for them to understand the narrative, or what is going on in the film.

      Continuity editing helps the audience get immersed into the narrative and film. Having shots that are disconnected from each other, like a long shot that then cuts to a close up to a character could break the flow of the film and confuse the audience, being that from a long shot to a close up cannot happen if the audience are watching the event in the film themselves. Therefore the scenes most be connected and join together so the audience can be more connected to the film like they are experiencing the narrative themselves. There must be a smooth transition of time and space in the film, the time period in the film must flow at a good pace. Otherwise it can confuse the audience on what time an event is taking place or what time it has jumped to in the narrative. Continuity editing helps with that.


       An example of this technique being used, is in Star Wars; Attack of the Clones; released in 2002. This shows good continuity as each shot in this scene flow with each other and connect perfectly. The scene doesn't confuse the audience with lots of jump cuts or different angles that don't connect. The cuts are used at a good pace to increase suspense when leading up to Yoda fighting Dooku. It gives the audience a clear understanding what is going on, it also helps creates the intensity for the audience by using many close ups to each characters faces. Showing there emotions and reactions to one another as they are about to fight.

       The purpose of this technique; continuity editing is to help to create pace for the film. The technique helps the films pace run smoothly so the audience does not get confused on what is going on in the narrative. It helps the audience connect with the film more, being no disconnected shots in a scene or lots of editing being used to through off the audience of the narrative. It helps the film to be understood by the audience as easily as possible with continuity. The technique also combines shots into a sequence. It helps each shot out together in a scene to flow within each other and make the scene to be able to be easily understood by the viewers. It helps the sequence flow within the film so each shot can connect with the audience so they are persuaded to carry on watching the film. Continuity can help engage the audience by using seamless editing so they can connect with the film and fully understand, like they are watching the events taking place from their own eyes, and not just from watching a film or narrative. 

          Another example of continuity editing in a film is The Hangover Part 3; released in 2013. It shows the scene happening at a flowing pace that the audience will be able to understand the narrative in the shot or scene. It shows one of the main characters driving his car while having a giraffe in his trailer. Less cuts are used to get the audience to understand what is going on. Its also used to not confuse the audience with too many jump cuts or lots of camera angles from all different directions. The technique is used overall to make sure the pace in the scene isn't too fast or slow, so it doesn't confuse the audience, or the narrative is not clear to them.



~ Cutting To Soundtrack ~

Finally, lets talk about cutting to soundtrack.

       Cutting to soundtrack, is a technique used to help the editing pace of a film, by cutting depending on the soundtrack or music playing in the scene. Each cut is inspired by the style of music heard in the background of that scene. It attracts the audience attention as they are curious to when the scene is going to cut next in the same rhythm of the music. It also creates intensity to the viewer by cutting on the music's beat,  it makes the scene more intense whether its a slow or fast song. It engages the audience to watch like they are watching a music video, to watch how it cuts to each beat and what the shots will each show.

     An action film may use a fast up beat song in one of their scenes, and cut to every beat. Making the pace of the film faster and to entertain the audience more by using the music to cut to and look more effective on screen with the music, impressing the audience for them to continue watching what happens in each scene.

    Or if its a drama or romantic movie, they may use a slow song in one of their scenes, an cut gently to the music in the scene. Which may slow down the pace of the film. This will intrigued the audience as watching the emotional scene, being able to understand it more being less cuts at a slow pace. When it does cut it is to the music, which will impress the audience and will be persuaded to carry on watching the scene due to it slowly cutting to the beat not knowing where it is going to cut next and what shot it will cut to.

    An example in a scene of a film that uses cutting to soundtrack is Fast and Furious; released n 2001. The scene uses an intense upbeat song that the scene cuts to mostly every beat or change in tune of the song. It brings up the intensity of the film, which engages the audience to keep watching, impressed by the way it cuts to the beat. Making the editing more entertaining then random cuts placed in a scene to change the angle of the shot placed in the scene.

         The purpose of this technique; cutting to soundtrack is to create pace. Depending on what style of music is used in the scene, cutting to the music will create a certain pace for that scene. Being a fast song, the pace will be fast, more cuts will be used and will create more suspense for the audience using lots of jump cuts. Or if a slow song is use in a scene, that will slow down the pace of the scene. Giving the audience time to emotionally understand the scene and concentrate on the scene more being less jump cuts to interrupt and change the scene for the viewers. It also engages the viewer by entertaining them more cutting to the beat of the music in the scene. Making it seem like a music video, but staying with the narrative of the film. It is also in relationship to genre. If its an action movie, it will commonly use fast songs that will increase the intensity of the film by cutting to it. Or if its a sad film or romantic film, it will use a slow song with less cuts to make the audience understand each scene and be able to connect with the event or character, by using less cuts to interrupt them.

     Another example of a film using cutting to soundtrack, is the opening scene for the film Sucker Punch; released in 2011. The scene cuts to the beat in this opening scene, but also to the rhythm changes in the song as well. As both the girls mother dies and they attend the funeral, the song starts slow, showing this horror happening and cutting less in these scenes as the song starts slow. It gives time for the audience to understand what has happened and have an impact from it. After the funeral the father finds out that in her will the mother left all her money and ownings to her daughters, which makes him angry. At that moment the tempo of the song turns faster and more louder, which includes more jump cuts being used as the scene gets more intense. The song gets faster as he decides to try kill his daughters, in order to get the money his wife left. He manage to kill the youngest one, but the oldest daughter turns it around and holds a gun to him. The song at this point is at its fastest, more cuts are used and engages the viewer to see if she kills him. Making the audience intrigued in what is going to happen. But the song turns slow again, as she decides she cant do it and starts to run away, which results in less cuts being used at this point, showing her running away from the mass in tears slowly. This creates an impact to the audience and gets them to understand what has just happened, and the emotional state the main character is now in because of her father. This scene was very effective in using this technique, using a song that has fast and slow elements, being able to use the elements at the proper moments. The song would go slow when something upsetting is  happening or showing how emotional a character is. Then the song would go fast when the event would get more intense or an action segment in the scene was about to happen. The scene impacting the audience in an effective way using the song for help.



~ Cross Cutting ~

Now, lets move on to cross cutting.

           Cross cutting, is an editing technique that is used commonly in films by film makers, to establish action happening at the same time in different locations or different characters, like parallel editing. When a cross cut is happening, it will cut from one action to another, to either hint that these actions are similar or connected in a way, or to add suspense to audience by cutting from one action in the film to another one. Cross cutting creates parallels like parallel editing. It cuts from one action to the other which could be happening at different places in the narrative, but at the same time. Cross cutting is also used when two characters are having a conversation on the phone. The scene will cut from one character to the other to show their reactions and how they express themselves when on the phone to each other from different locations in the narrative. Cross cutting was made a film technique in the early history of film making.

     An example of one of the earliest films to use the technique cross cutting, is DW Griffith's film; A Corner In Wheat; released in 1909. It cuts from showing wealthy people having a party and dining before cutting to the more unfortunate ones, who are struggling in a shop and barely have any money, being shown living in a barn, compared to the rich people who are partying in a big house. DW Griffiths used this to make the audience compare the two shots that are in contrast with each other; a group of rich people, and a group of poor people. This should impact the audience seeing two different classes in the narrative, which should give them an emotional impact seeing the people who are well off then to the people who are struggling.

          The purpose of using this technique; cross cutting, is storytelling. By showing two events happening at once from different locations, it gives the audience more understanding of the narrative and if certain events are connected. It makes the pace of the film more faster by showing two events, cutting from one to the other, instead of showing one at a time it joins them together. The technique also engages the viewers. It adds suspense to the film and audience watching by showing two events at once, usually building up to a climax, what will happen at the end of each event, or will join together somehow. It adds more drama to the film and  audience by showing two intense moments in the narrative happening at the same time in the film. Which also ties in with development of drama. The technique also helps to combine shots into sequences as two shots that make up two events happening in the narrative, or joined together by cutting from one shot from one event, to another shot from the other event, to combine these together to make the sequence go at a much faster pace if trying to make suspense or intensity for the audience.

      Another example of this technique; cross cutting Is from the film Inception; released in 2010. This scene shows two events happening at once. One event where a man is driving his car and is getting attacked or targeted by men on bikes who want to kill him, then cuts to another event of a man who is looking smart with a briefcase, about to get in the lift before being attacked by the main character in the hallway. This scene creates suspense for the audience as two action packed scenes are happening at the same time, cutting quickly to one to the other.  Its effective as the film; Inception, is about going into a dream world; like sleep paralysis. One event is showing what's happening in the real world, the other characters in the dream world are asleep as the one driving the car in reality is trying to get away from the ones trying to kill them in a car chase. While the other event is in the dream world, as the ones asleep in reality are battling it out in this building, not knowing what's going on in the real world. This film uses a lot of cross cutting, cutting from one world to another, which creates a lot of  suspense for the audience, wanting to know what is going to happen in these worlds as the events are  intense and life threating to the main characters. The scene ends back in the real world, them saving the attack as the car rolls over a couple of times but manages to get back on its wheels like nothing happened, but the others are still asleep. Making the audience wonder what is going to happen now that one of the main characters might of been shot in the dream world.



~ Editing Rhythm ~

Now, lets get to know all about editing rhythm

          Editing rhythm, is a technique used by film makers to help them keep the pace of their film going to match up the action that is going on in the film. Slow edits in a film have a calming feel to it, compared to fast cut edits which are lively and have an intense feel to them. Using this technique, making a steady editing rhythm is used with equal length shots, that maintain the pace of the film and the narrative. So the audience will be able to understand the narrative at a good pace.

       If the rhythm of the film is faster; an action film or a film which has high intensity, film makers will use short length shots which creates tension for the audience as they are short which will surprise the audience and give a more dramatic feel to the scene or film.

     Compared to a film with a slower pace, which will use more lengthy shots in a scene, to give a more calming or sad feel to it. This will mostly address drama movies or romantic movies. The audience feeling the emotion they are trying to show in the movie, giving them more time to understand and feel the emotion, showing the film at a slower pace. It is important in a film to keep a good rhythm, otherwise the audience will get distracted and will not concentrate on the narrative or know what is going on in the film.

      An example of good editing rhythm is the classic Bonnie And Clyde; released in 1967. It shows good pace as it creates more and more tension as it gets to the action scene where gunmen  close in and shoot Bonnie and Clyde to pieces. The shots and jump cuts that get faster and faster before the first shot at Clyde, creates tension and suspense for the audience wondering what  is going to happen and are they going to die. As the shooting goes on, the pace of the film slows down as the gunman stop shooting as they both lay there dead, the shots becoming more longer with less cuts as they show the dead couple in the mass of gunshots and wounds. It gives the audience time to understand what has just happened in an intense scene, giving them time to  comprehend it as the pace slows down. This technique is effective as it uses both a fast  and slow pace at the effective time to give the audience an impact.

The purpose of this technique; editing rhythm, is to create pace. This technique is used to create the pace needed to give the audience the proper understanding of the narrative and the impact of each scene in the film. Its to help the flow of the film run smoothly, so the audience do not get confused on what is going on. Another purpose of this  technique  is relationship of genre. Depending on what genre the film is; this technique will make sure the pace that suits the  film is in place. Being if it is an action film, it will most likely be in a  fast pace, to expand the  action and create tension. But if its a romantic film or drama, the pace will probably be more slowed down. Making an emotional impact on the audience by being able to have more time to process the scenes and meanings.

  Another example of editing rhythm is The Notebook; released in 2004. The film is more of a romantic story, so the pace for the film is slower than the first example. In the scene where the couple go on a rowing boat across the river. There are less jump cuts being used in the scene, which slows the pace. Giving the audience time to fully understand their chemistry together and enjoy as they fall in love. Being giving more time to understand their story and love narrative, instead of being distracted by short shots and lots of jump cuts.





~ Providing and Withholding information ~

Next; Providing and Withholding Information.

     Providing and withholding information, is a technique used by film makers, used to decide when it is the right time in a film for the audience to find something out. A film always has a narrative in place, to either entertain or inform the audience. Each narrative contains sub plots or different stories that are linked to the major story being told in the film. With each sub plot, it gives out information to the audience to inform them more about that subplot they are following, or the whole narrative altogether. The film can also withhold information to manipulate what the audience think, either about a character, how the ending will pan out, how a subplot will end etc.

    When withholding information is used in a film, it is usually seen in non linear films, which means films that are not in chronological order or sequence. Meaning the audience are shown different times from the events happening in the films narrative, but not in the order they happened. This is used to grip the audience and surprise them when information is relieved about a sub plot that they were not expecting, as a big part of information was withheld from the film till the end to surprise the audience and thrill them from an unexpected ending. When showing information out in a film, the audience can either find out with a character or main character as they discover the information, or before the characters.

      The purpose of this technique is to make the audience curious and to engage the audience. If the audience are curious to find out something about the narrative that has not yet been shown, it will persuade them to keep watching, to find out what the piece of information is and how it changes the narrative. It makes the audience intrigued to want to know what is going to happen at the end of the narrative, or to a certain character if a subplot hints something, but doesn't show all information about a character or subplot. Withholding information engages the viewer as the audience is intrigued on what that piece of information is, and why it is being withheld for so long in the narrative or movie.

       An example of this technique being used in a film is, the Sixth Sense; released in 1999. The main character; Dr Malcom Crowe thinks he is just living his day to day life, dealing with patients, like a boy named Cole who thinks he can see ghosts; dead people. The audience discover near the ending, that Dr Malcom Crowe is in fact dead too, and has been in denial at it when he passed away. That's why the boy; Cole can see him, because the little boy can see ghosts.  This is a good example using the technique; providing and withholding information. As throughout the film, there are little clues that hint at this, but not big clues that would give it away at an instant. An example of this is when Dr Malcom Crowe is sitting in his house with his mum, but his mum does not acknowledge him or know that he is there, finding out at the ending this is because he is dead and cannot be seen.

           Another example of providing and withholding information is from the movie Psycho; released in 1960. The film withholds information to the main character, not telling her or giving her any knowledge that she is about to be attacked. Making the audience feel intense and curious of how she will react or what will happen as she is about to be attacked.



~ Shot Reverse Shot ~

Here we are going to discuss shot reverse shot.



        Shot reverse shot, is a technique used in dialogue scenes. Or scenes that require more then one character, and their reactions between each other. It uses the 180 rule and eye line match in one technique. Making sure the camera does not change sides of the angle during filming, also that the characters eye line are matching between dialogue scenes. The 180 rule is used in shot reverse shot, to not confuse the audience of the sense of location or where the characters are or stand between the scene. Shot reverse shot is typically used to show both sides of a conversation situation between two characters or sometimes a group of characters. So the audience will get a more understanding of the both characters reactions and use of words by seeing closely how the two characters react to each other with shot reverse shot.

    Using the technique; shot reversed shot. Usually uses a three camera set up during the scene. There are different shots that are used in a shot reversed shot, they are; a two shot of both characters in a wide or medium shot of them, an over the shoulder shot of the first character and then another over the shoulder shot of the second character. These shots should be used to utilise the technique perfectly.

    This technique is a classic editing style used in Hollywood for years. It gives the film a good pace and continuity during dialogue scenes, making sure two characters or a  group of characters talking are at eye level of each other. 

     The purpose of shot reverse shot is creating pace. Using this technique creates a flowing pace when showing dialogue scenes or a connection between two characters. It creates a good pace so the audience can fully understand both of the characters feelings between the conversation and how they react to one another. Giving the audience the chance to understand the characters by watching how they talk, emotions and react to other characters in a shot reverse shot, which also ties into the purpose storytelling. This technique can also engage the viewers to watch, getting the full insight of the conversation between two characters, engaged by both of the characters responses and to be able to enjoy the film by knowing what two characters feel during a conversation between each other.

      A classic example of the technique; shot reverse shot being used in a film is; Hard eight, released in 1996.  This scene is a standard shot reverse shot, but is effective. The actor; who plays the main character in the film; Philip Baker Hall, looks straight into the camera. Showing the audience the characters good intentions in the conversation. It keeps the audience focused on the interaction by looking straight at them, persuading them to keep watching as the actor is technically looking straight at them through the camera. Also in this scene, it uses mostly over the shoulder shots, and a couple of medium shots of both characters. So the audience feel connected with the two characters, know their relation to each other and their intentions.

 Another example is another classic from 1996; and that is Jerry Maguire. The shot shows the conversation between Jerry and Dorothy while in an airport. The scene uses over the shoulder shots and close ups of each character mostly in this shot reverse shot scene. It show the audience how sceptical and stressful Dorothy is feeling as she is trying to look for her son. While Jerry is trying to talk to her and help, showing the audience how calm and collective Jerry is. Its effective as it make the audience understand how both the characters feel at the time they are having a conversation, showing how both are reacting and feeling different emotions.

~ Point Of View Shot ~

                          

                           All about the point of view shot.

        A point of view shot, also known as a POV. Is a camera angle that shows the viewers what the character is seeing through their eyes, by representation of the camera. Seeing that the character sees and experiences from their point of view. This creates the effect that the audience is immersed into the action. Seeing the scene from the characters eyes, the audience gets a feel from how the character themselves is seeing the action take place in the scene and their actions from their eyes and other characters. Making the audience feel like they are taking part in the movie themselves. It gives the audience a more deeper feel into the movie, instead of an outer angle like a long shot or establishing shot that is placed outside of the events and just viewing what is going on in the scene, not viewing it as if your in the scene or event occurring

       The point of view shots are usually followed up with a close up shot of the character, to show there reaction to what they or the audience have seen. Making the audience know how they feel or react to what they have seen or witnessed through the POV shot.

        The point of view shot has been used since the early years of cinema. The earliest example of a POV shot being used in a film was Lady in the Lake; released in 1947. In fact, this was the first ever film to be completely filmed in first person perspective. Using only the POV shot throughout the film. The film decided to take the audience on a journey through this mystery classic. The audience seeing the events happening through a detective. The audience was took on a roller coater as they saw the film through the detective eyes, going through a journey like they were in the mystery themselves. This film fully immerses the audience into the film which engages them to keep watching.

 

           As the years went by, the POV shot was being used more frequently in horror films. More and more horror films were being produced entirely of point of view shots. The audience seeing what its like being the scared victim character, who is seeing all these horrors like ghosts and monsters taking place. It makes the audience feel like they are in the film, making them feel more thrilled and scared like they are seeing these ghosts and monsters in reality. Making them dive straight into the film which makes it more thrilling and scary for the audience to watch engaging them to the film.

         An example of this is the horror film REC; released in 2007. Following the POV of the main character recording events as there crew and fireman go and have a look into a rumoured infected flat. It grips the audience into watching and makes them feel like  there the ones going into this haunted place. It makes it gripping to watch by the audience, seeing what it is like to be scared or seeing monsters in their point of view.



      The purpose of using a point of view shot is to engage the viewer. By making it seem like the audience in the film and viewing the narrative going on in the film themselves, it makes them feel fully connected to the film and immersed into the world the film is located. Making them engaged to the film seeing it from what it looks like in their point of view. The purpose can also be development of drama. Seeing a POV of a character and seeing an event through their eyes, or something serious going on like a fight or a murder scene, can create drama to the viewer, seeing it like there that character. Which creates more drama to the film by seeing it personally in a POV shot. Making the audience feel that there apart of the film and drama, creating more drama seeing it from a perspective of a character watching what is going on.