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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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.
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.
In the world of film editing, different types of transitions are used to a shot that ends and the next shot begins. A transition is the effect in the middle that brings them together. There are many different transitions that can be used on a film or scene, transitions have been used at the early years of cinema. Being a part that brings a scene to a end, then starts a new scene. Each transition that is used, creates a different emotion or impact to the viewer watching.
The first transition we will look at is cut
The most used and common transition is the cut. Most film makers will always use this transition in their films or sequence. A cut happens in between a shot when one shot instantly replaces another shot when it ends. Cuts are mostly used in feature films, as they are a quick transition to use to get to one shot to the other. Usually used in action films being the transition is quick, so the audience can see more of the action going on in the film if the shots go from one to the other quickly, also creating an intense effect to the audience, being it quickly goes to each shot. Its good to keep the action going at a good pace in the film when using cuts. Other types of transitions can be slow pace or be distracting to the audience, they would be too busy concentrating on the transition than the scene it is transitioning to and its narrative.
Cuts were firstly introduced in the cinema when the Kuleshov experiment happened, which I explained when talking about montage editing. Kuleshov used cut to cut from one subject to another, showing how different subjects make the audience feel, when cut from a man looking emotionless. Making the audience feel differently about the character at what he is looking at or what the next scene is. That uses cut to show the audience quickly what the man is watching or looking at.
The purpose of a cut is to create pace for the film. Using a cut to go from one shot to another, will make the film go at good pace and flow more, rather then wasting time on watching a transition like a dissolve, to dissolve into another shot that could take a couple of seconds or a minute. Compared to a cut which will take a second to instantly go to another scene. Making the audience more intrigued that each scene comes instantly after each other, which will make them enjoy the film more. Being able to enjoy the narrative with no long transitions in the way of changing shots.
This is an example of a cut being used in the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, released in 2005. The cut is seen in this scene when it cuts from willy wonkas factory, then to Tokyo; Japan, showing people rushing to buy wonkas chocolate bars. It uses cuts to show the different countries and people that are rushing to find one of the golden tickets in the Wonka bars, to be able to go to the chocolate factory. The cut transition is effective in the scene as it shows the audience at a quick pace each country and the people who want wonka bars. Showing the audience how popular around the world the wonka bars are, and how much everyone wants to find a golden ticket. It makes the audience intrigued to see each country at a quick pace using cut in under 3 minutes. Keeping them engaged with the scene as it quickly cuts to one place to another.
Next, the transition dissolve.
The dissolve transition, is a technique that lets one scene dissolve or fade gradually into another
scene. This transition takes more longer to go into the next shot or scene compared to a
cut that instantly goes into the next scene. The first shot starts fading out, getting lighter, bef
ore the second shot starts fading into the first shot as it fades out, the second scene becoming more prominent. The technique can be also known as a cross fade. Mostly, when a dissolve is used in films, it is tried to be done quickly, sometimes without the audience knowing that a dissolve transition was used to put together the two scenes. Dissolves have a more slow or relaxed feel to them compared to a cut, which is quick and an instant transition.
This transition was one of the earliest transitions used. Dissolves soon became a way of film makers to express deeper meaning between their film; scenes, characters, shots etc. A dissolve was known as a slow way to move audiences through scenes, a dissolve can mean a narrative of time, an example of that could be using a dissolve to get from a scene of a character waiting for something else. Showing the time the character is waiting with a slow transition like a dissolve. Or a dissolve could be used to show a change of seasons, like summer to winter.
The purpose of a dissolve is to slow the pace of the film. If a section of the film is becoming more sad and thoughtful, the film maker may use a dissolve to transition through the scenes when the scene includes the event happening may be sad or the characters. To show the audience that something upsetting is happening. Slowing the pace of the film, showing the audience more of a sad part of the film, encourages the mood change, being shown sadness at a slow pace. As only happy or intense scenes which could include action, use cut transition to cut to one action to another, making the audience feel intense. While using a dissolve, it will slow down the intenseness of the film, showing the audience, the emotion and drama going on in the scenes, making them feel sympathy or sadness. A dissolve can also create a mood to the audience, like relaxation. Slowing down the pace of the film, will make the audience feel more relaxed while watching, instead of he film being at a fast pace, making the audience feel intense and energized and having to concerntrate while watching incase they miss anything.
Also the transition dissolve, can be used in montages. Dissolving from one scene or photo, to another. Showing a group of videos or photos at a slow pace. A montage that uses a dissolve transition, will usually be a montage that contains a sad memory of a character, or a montage that makes the audience feel sad about what is going on in the montage like an event or previous memory of a character. Or a dissolve can be used in a montage to make the audience feel relaxed, like a montage of one of the characters on a relaxed holiday, or spending time with their happy family.
One of the earliest examples of a film using a dissolve transition, is Citizen Kane; released in 1941. The clip shows the first scene; the main character walking into a bar or work place, before dissolving into the next scene which is a table and a newspaper. The dissolve transition lasts about 4 seconds. The dissolve starts slow at first before getting quicker. The scene makes the audience feel curious about what is going to happen next as the transition slows down the pace of the both scenes. The audience feeling anxious as the transition happens, wanting to know what the next scene will be. Persuading the audience to be intrigued, to carry on watching the film.
Now, onto the transition fade.
The fade transition is the second common transition to be used by film makers, just under the transition cut. There's two different fade transitions; fade in and fade out. A fade out is usually used to end a movie, where a scene gradually fades, and is replaced with a blank screen or another solid colour. Fade ins are usually used at the beginning of a movie starting with a solid colour or blank screen, slowly fades into a scene or the start of the movie.
Fades are only used sparsely by editors or film makers. As a fade transition is commonly known as an end to a major story segment or plot, or the end of the film. So the film maker only use fades when a subplot or storyline in the film ends, showing the audience that the event or story that happened in the film or previous scenes is ending. The audience knowing that there will be a new story taking place after the fade if it isn't the end of the movie. Being prepared for a new storyline. Fades can also be used to let the audience get their heads about or take a breather from an intense scene or sequence that has just taken place.
The purpose of a fade is storytelling. The fade is there to help the audience know when a major story plot in the film has ended, and a new plot or story is about to start. Helping the audience understand the narrative about the film, knowing when a story starts and ends in a film, so they wont get confused if there are different plots involved in the film.
An example of the transition fade being used in a film, is Pulp Fiction, released in 1994. A fade out is used after the scene where the character Butch, drives his car and rams it into another character; Marsellus Wallace. The fade out is used after this scene to give an audience a breather and think about the intense scene. Knowing this accident would drastically alter the lives of both the characters. The fade out was used also to mark a new story or alter to the narrative, being that the two characters were in a horrendous accident, and their lives would change from what it was at he start of the movie.
Lastly, onto the transition wipe.
A wipe transition is when one shot, is gradually replaced with another shot in a pattern or geometric pattern. The wipe transition has many different types, from complex shapes like a clock, stars etc. To just a straight line. When using a wipe, the wipe usually has a border a border to help the audience to distinguish the shots when the wipe transition is happening. As sometimes the wipe transition can be more flashy than a cut transition, the wipe can be distracting the audience then concentrating on what one sot is transitioning into another shot. Wipes are very dynamic compared to other transition. The wipe transition is more of a special effect transition compared t a cut. A wipe helps one sot push the other out of the frame.
The purpose of a wipe transition is to engage the viewer. Using a wipe which is a more showy transition, will wow the viewer and engage the to watch the film as the transition isn't just a simple cut, but a shape like a star or a whirl on the film before going into another shot. Is to give the film a more fun or special effect feel to it to give the audience an impact on how fun the transition was. Wipes are a transition that isn't commonly used in the films today compared to cut or a fade. But throughout the Star Wars franchise, George Lucas use the wipe transition throughout the Star Wars films. To give a more fantasy and futuristic feel to the film, giving the film a more of a relationship with it genre.
Here is an example of the wipe transition in the Star Wars IV; New Hope film which was released in 1977. George Lucas uses a clock wipe transition to change the scenes, which are based in different locations. The wipe is to engage the viewers to keep watching, giving them an impact and make them feel more entertained instead of just using a simple cut.
Splicing was a specific technique used in the early stages of film, when cameras used film reels. Once the film maker had captured all the scenes they wanted on their film, you would then use a splicer to cut up the film in different places, usually where a scene ends, then another one where a scene starts. After you would splice the film in different sections, you would put the film together by hand in the sequence the film maker wanted. Making a cutaway effect once the film reel was all back together. At the time, it was something different to the usual editing sequence used when filming on a film reel. Which usually included no editing, unless you was using this technique where you would use a splicer to cut all the scenes apart and put them in a sequence you wanted, or just putting them back in the same sequence again. To give the film a cut effect to each scene to another. Once the film reel was put together, it would be fed through a projector so the cutaways would look more effective and give the film a more different look to it in a movie theatre, compared to watching a full film all through in a sequence with no cuts.
The purpose of using this technique splicing, is to combine shots into a sequence. Its to help the film be placed into an effective sequence while having a cutaway effect on the film. Splicing helps give a cut effect from one shot to another in a sequence. Making the audience feel engaged while watching the film seeing that cuts are used in the film, and not just a film with no effects all the way through. To keep the audience entertained on the editing of the film, and not just the narrative.
This technique soon became expired when film reels became less popular to use. When digital cameras and software editing came into the world, this technique was no longer used. Being this splicing technique was very time consuming to cut each pieces of film reel and put them together. Compared to just editing footage or scenes for a film on a computer software which would take less time than this technique.
Here is a short clip of a film maker using a splicer in action. Using the technique to cut the film reel he has before putting it all together in the sequence or order the films narrative is, before putting it through a projector to piece it all together.
The 180 rule for filming states; the camera should remain the same side of an imaginary line, and should not go past 180 degrees when filming from a certain position or angle. The rule is there to help continuity of the film, to help the films pace flow. So the audience or film doesn't get confusing at different shots or angles that do not flow to each other. The camera must be on the same side of the line when filming a scene, breaking the rule will confuse the audience, being hard to understand the narrative if the shots do not flow into each other. If completely opposite camera shots are used for a scene.
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Using this rule, the audience will know which way characters are looking, also where everything is in the scene. Also the audience will not be confused if the angles and shots were used from the other side. The camera should not turn from right to left relationships of the characters in the scene. Characters in the shot should be the same side of the frame in each scene. Otherwise their eye line in the scenes will not match if looking at each other. Which will confuse audiences if different shots are being used on the different sides, that doesn't show their eye line are at the same level.
The purpose of using the 180 rule is so it makes the films pace flow and does not confuse the audience if shots are from different sides and angles. Its to make sure it does not confuse audiences on the scene and how they are viewing the scene, giving the film pace for audiences to fully understand the scene and how it is shot by its angles. Also the 180 rule is there to help develop and drive the narrative. Its to help the narrative be understood by the audience, not to be confusing by different sides being shot of a scene. So audiences know where the story line is being set and they know what the characters in the scene are doing from one side and where they are looking. Filming from a different side in a scene will just confuse the audience where the characters are looking and where they stand in the scene. Also to make sure the audience are not confused where characters in the scene Stand to each other.
Here is a short film example explaining the use of the 180 rule and where it is placed in the movie they use as an example.
But sometimes in films, it is ok to break the rule if you have a valid reason why. Most film makers, if they break the 180 rule, are doing so to add an effect to the scene that doesn't involve the rule. But the film or scene will still have to look effective without using the 180 rule. Making sure the audience still understand the scene, and are not confuse with the 180 rule not being used.
An example of a film that breaks the 180 rule is in a scene from the The Getaway; released in 1972, it shows the rule being broken. When the main character of the film sees the women sitting their at the station. The camera moves to the other side of the 180 rule to see his face. This work for the scene as it is showing a two way shot. Ones characters face to another, cutting about twice between their faces. It works as it does not confuse the audience. Showing both their characters reactions and emotions in a close up, the scene does not confuse the audience what is happening, as each scene makes clear where each character stands compared to each other. While breaking the 180 rule work for this scene in the Getaway.
The technique parallel editing, also known as cross cutting. Is when two or more scenes are put together that are happening at the same time in the film, but at different locations. So two scenes will be put together, showing two things happening at once, but at different locations with different characters, but both scenes connect to the story line or film. The technique establishes two relationships between two events by cutting from one to the other. The technique is successful when the audience know that the two events that are cutting from each other, are happening at the same time. Instead of just helping the story line, parallel editing can be used to show contrasts between two events happening at the same time. How two subjects or events differ from each other as they are happening. Parallel editing is mostly used to create tension between the two events happening, while linking them both to each other and the narrative.
The purpose of using parallel editing is to create pace. Using parallel editing in a film will make the story line flow more and make the pace more faster. Showing two events happening at once, cutting to one to the other. It saves time in the film by showing two events at the same time, that link to each other in the narrative. It helps the audience get a clear understanding of the narrative, and which events are linked to each other. Parallel editing is also there to engage the viewer by creating more tension showing two events building up to each other, to hopefully meet at the end. It makes the audience engaged to the tension between two events cutting to one to the other. Also to add expansion to the narrative, showing themes within the story line and connections to characters. Showing what two subjects are linked etc.
One of the first film makers to use parallel editing was DW Griffith. DW used this technique in his film Birth of a Nation; released in 1915. It shows two events happening at different places at the same time, before both parties meeting near the end. Two events happening at different places before meeting each other, two events becoming one. It helps the story line evolve, showing how each different characters or events come together to battle. Helping the narrative along for audience to understand and to be engaged by it seeing both events happen, not just one. It shows Lincoln's assassination in the Ford Theatre. DW Griffith also used parallel editing in this scene to increase tension up to Lincolns assassination. Cutting between the stage and the Presidents viewing box. It also cuts to John Wilkes Booth preparing to assassinate Lincoln. Creating tension for the audience, watching others prepare to assassinate the president, while seeing scenes of the president in his booth, not knowing he is about to be killed.
Another example of parallel editing is from the film Silence of the Lambs, released in 1991. It shows two events happening at once in different locations with different characters. The scene shows Hannibal has a women locked up in his basement, as she shouts concerns about a dog, while the clip cuts to two policemen armed and ready to bust into his house and catch him in the act. It shows two events happening and how they are connected, Hannibal with a women he kidnapped; and policemen who are trying to catch Hannibal at his evil deeds. It creates tension to the audience, making them cautious and curious to see if the policemen will catch Hannibal in time. It all ends when the police run into the house, and suddenly they found that there is no one here, revealing they raided the wrong house, or did they?
Jump cut is a technique that is used between two shots that look like they are jumping from one to the other, due to both shots framing being very similar to each other. Jump cuts are caused by framing to be quite similar in both shots. Jumping quickly to the next shot that is similar to what was happening in the first shot, but has either moved forward or backwards or is more zoomed in compared to the first shot before jump cutting to the second. They are two sequential shots that are taken from the same camera positions, but are only off from each other slightly. It gives the manipulation of going forward in time, jumping from one shot to the next shot which is the same only slightly. It gives an illusion to the audience that time has passed in the film. Jump cuts draw attention to the nature and appeal of the film. Jump cuts are mostly used in title sequences of a film, used to speed up the process of showing the crew, director or actors name at the beginning. Jump cutting helps to speed up the process of showing the team's name who worked on the movie, so the movie can start without the title sequence taking too much time.
The history of jump cuts; the first film maker to discover and fully master jump cuts was George Melies. George discovered it accidentally, he used two shots similar and put them together by a mistake, but George soon released that his mistake did not look like one. George firstly tried to make this cut look seamless, look almost invisible to compliment his illusions. One of the first film to be completely made up of jump cuts is Dziga Vertof's Russian film; Man With A Movie Camera; released in 1929. Here is a short clip from the film, the clip shows the heavy use of jump cuts. Giving it a sort of flashy cut effect to the film. Which would engage the viewer to keep watching, interested in the effect which would persuade the viewer to keep watching, due to the fast pace of the jump cuts. Showing the camera from slightly different angles, giving it a quick effect of using slightly different shots but seeing the camera in different ways.
The purpose of a jump cut is to give pace to a film. Its to help the film go at a steady or fast pace, considering how quick you use the jump cuts. Its to help the film go forward in time, but only slightly. Helping the films narrative go smoothly and help it along. Helping the audience understand the narrative at a steady pace using jump cuts to slightly move the process along. That also comes under storytelling, helping to tell a story not at a slow pace by using jump cuts to forward in time any shots in the film that may be lacking in time, or may need to be sped up. Also it's to engage the viewer by using fast jump cuts to keep the audience on their toes and enjoy the fast cuts to keep the audience engaged in case they missed any details from the fast jump cuts.
Another example is this music video by Assassin called voices; released in 2007. Even though it is not from a film, this music video uses jump cuts perfectly. When one of the band members is playing the drums, jump cuts are used on the music, on time when he is playing the drums. A jump cut is used in time with the music to emphasise the bass section or drums section. To make the audience engaged on this part, by using jump cuts, jumping from one similar shot to the next, on the music to entertain the audience. Keeping them entertained and engaged on him playing the drums as shots are jumping from each other to speed up the process of him playing the drums. Which will get the audience to listen carefully to the bass part also.
Montage editing, is an effect that is used to put together or combine different scenes that will contrast from one another, making the audience intrigued while giving them a lot of information in a short amount of time. Montage editing is used to compress time, showing a lot of information at a short period of time. Montage editing joins different scenes together at a fast pace, showing the audience lots of different scenes to give them different information at a fast pace. Cutting up the film, pictures or scenes and placing them in a screened order, that will make sense to the audience watching it. Montage editing in itself, can use a lot of shot techniques or angles such as close ups, fades, establishing shots, jump cuts and dissolves. This technique is like manipulation of time, but shows a montage of different scenes about something or give a full meaning about a character or object, instead of showing what is happening as years go by in a film.
The purpose of montage editing is to engage the viewer. It is to engage the viewer to watch the montage, to process all the information being given to them, and all the different shots being shown at a fast pace. Its to keep them more engaged by showing them different shots and scenes, instead of watching the same scene for a long period of time. Also it combines shots into sequences, combining various different footage or pictures into a montage that may last 5 minutes or less. Keeping the audience more entertained, showing them different shots and their meaning when connected in a montage.
Here is an example of one of the earliest films using the montage effect; Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; released in 1969. The montage scene shows them travelling from New York City to Bolivia. This montage is different from present one as this part of the film, the montage only uses pictures. The montage within the film shows different pictures of their trip at a considerably slow pace instead of a fast pace like some other montages in films. . Giving the audience a quick insight on what happened on their trip. It uses old orchestra music and doesn't use any dialogue to give audience more information whats going on in the pictures. The montage uses a sepia tone to the pictures, showing them in a brown yet gold colour, instead of just full of colour. Showing just what era the montage is set in,
Here is another example that is different from the first example in 1969, is Rules Of Attraction; which was released in 2002. Compared to the first example, this montage uses video footage instead of still images. It also uses dialogue over the video montage. This montage is very fast pace, showing the main characters trip from countries in Europe. While he narrates them quickly in the background, giving a sentence about each shot, that lasts about 5 seconds each. The montage is fast pace to give the audience as much as information as possible in a very short period of time. Keeping them also engaged of how fast its going, the audience having to concentrate on the montage to not miss anything of how fast it is going form one scene to another. Being fast pace, the film can also concerntratw more on the narrative in the film, but the film make sites the audience know about this part, but cutting down the time they show it by using a montage. So it doesn't take much room in the film so they can concentrate on building up the narrative, keeping the audience engaged to watch.
The first film maker to discover this technique in film; was Lev Kuleshov. A Soviet film maker in the 20th century. Kuleshov did experiment after experiment on certain techniques and editing when it came to filming. He was the first film maker to discover that depending on how scenes or shots are put together in a film, the audience will attach an emotion or different meaning to that shot or scene.
Knowing this, Lev Kuleshov did an experiment regarding this new technique; now known as the montage technique. He used a face of an actor with the same expression on his face, and cut it with three different subjects. First one was a girl in a coffin, second one was a hot bowl of soup. Then the third one was a beautiful women resting on a couch. The actor in all three shots, had the same expression on his face; he had no expression on his face. But when Lev Kuleshov showed this to the audience. They loved it and applauded him for this technique he had found out. The audience saying the first one made them feel sad, the second made them think of hunger, and the third one made them think lust. This was firstly known as the Kuleshov effect. Helping the montage effect grow, starting with this.
Motivated editing is a technique that is inspired by what you see or hear by the scene, previous scene or shot. When there is another reason for a completely different shot, motivated editing is used, being the least disruptive to the film or sequence. An example of using it is if an actor is looking at something, with a dramatic look on his face, it will instantly cut to whatever he is looking at. That is a motivated edit. Or, a motivated edit can also be used if in a scene the audience hear a noise, or a loud noise can be heard. It will suddenly cut to what is making that noise. So the audience can get a visual insight on where the noise is coming from in the scene. With motivated editing, it is important you cut at the correct time, to ensure the narrative of the film runs smoothly and audiences can see the story line develop further. Different timing of cuts are used in motivated editing, depending on the genre. Motivated editing is usually used on horror films. In horror films, motivated editing cuts are very fast pace and dramatic, Motivated cuts are usually use to show what the person is getting scared of, or unusual sounds, when finding out what it is making them, make the audience surprised and scared, finding out the soloution. Which helps them engage with the film and persuade them to keep watching.
The purpose of motivated editing is to engage the viewer. It is to engage the viewer on every detail going on in each scene or film. Motivated editing are there to give the audience an explanation on where the noises come from they hear in the scene, why a character is acting that way, what the character is looking at etc. It is to help the audience to understand what is helping in the scene more and also expand the story line for them, knowing why they are hearing a noise or a character is looking that way. The purpose of this technique can also be relationship to genre. Being motivated editing is used in horror films more then any other genre, it is used to show the viewer why the character is looking scared, what is making the viewer to feel so frightened. Also most cuts used in motivated editing are quick, to give impact to the audience and to feel frightened like the character about the ghost or monster that is giving the character a fright. Compared to a drama genre, where in a scene that is emotional and crying is involved. Motivated editing is probably used at a slow pace. Slowing down the pace of the film to show that it is turning sad and the mood is changing from happy and sad. Also cutting to someone who is crying, it will most likely stay on their face before cutting to the other persons reaction or what they are looking at. So the audience gets an impact off the character crying, feeling sad for them or sympathy as they watch there sad and emotional face.
Also being linked to development of drama.
An example of a horror film that uses motivated editing is Psycho, that was released in 1960. The famous scene while the girl is having a shower and Norman Bates comes through and stabs her with a knife, uses motivated editing. The scene shows Norman coming towards her in the shower, then it quickly cuts the women, wanting to show the reaction of her to the audience seeing him with a knife. It then cuts back to Norman, showing again to the audience, where the women was getting more and more scared as it first cut to her. It gives the audience answers about both characters and both of their actions and reactions to one another in the scene. Giving the audience further narrative and answers so they know which both characters are doing and feeling at a dramatic and scary time.
Another example, that uses motivated editing, but is a film from the fantasy genre. Is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2, released in 2011. The scene shows the scene cutting to each character, concentrating on their emotions before cutting to Harry Potter, the person who is making them show these types of emotions. The scene persuades the audience to feel scared and anxious for Harry Potter, as most characters in the scene are acting happy and sinister as Harry arrives, especially Voldemort, ready to kill him. Apart from Hagrid, who acts sceptically and shocked that Harry has shown, also acting sad and shocked, not wanting him to die. All before cutting to Harry, who also looks anxious about the situation, which makes the audience feel anxious for him also that most characters in the scene are happy to see him die.
Conventions and techniques of editing; Seamless Editing. This technique means, when cutting from shot to shot, it is done by the action. So the audience can barely tell that there has been editing done to the scene, that they cannot tell it has been cut. Seamless editing is used to make the film or sequence look natural and flow more easily, instead of cuts and jumps through the scenes. It is seamless if the audience believe they cannot see any cuts from one scene to the other, it is nicely flowing to one scene to the next. The trick with using this technique is cutting it at the action, when an action is twking place in a shot or scene. Therefore, the audience will be concentrating on that action, and not notice the cut, happening between shots. If this is not done perfectly; if the cut isn't done on the action precisely, the audience will be able to notice it and it will not be seamless editing.
The purpose of seamless editing is to combine shots into a sequence. For each scene to flow with each other, without the audience noticing the cuts, it will combine the sequence to have a very steady pace and a pace that is not full of noticeable cuts, that may throw the audience off guard and make them less interested and be concerntrating on the out of place cuts, instead of the narrative or action happening in the film. With each scene flowing with each other, it will persuade the audience to feel like there not watching a movie at all, but watching something in real life not noticing the cuts, being invisible. Also it helps the story in the film be told in a steady way. As each scene flows from one another with seamless editing, so will the story line that is being shown in each scene. Giving the audience a more insight and at a good pace of the narrative going on in the movie. Being able to understand the narrative more, so the audienc or more engage and are enjoying the film, with no noticeable cut from different scene confusing the audience. It helps all the scenes combine seamlessly, so the film runs smoothly with no dodgy cuts that stick out that the audience can notice and be put off by it.
Let's start with the history of this technique. The first person to master seamless editing was DW Griffiths. David Llewellyn Wark Griffith, who was born in 1875. Was a known film maker and director in the film industry in that late 1800's. DW Griffith is one of the first film makers to use seamless editing or continuity. Making the cutting in his films seem invisible. Instead of just cutting to an action. DW Griffith would cut at either a emotional action or close up, to give the effect of seamless or invisible cutting to one shot to another. DW Griffith was the first film pioneer to refine seamless editing and give it a whole new purpose, not just using on the action to make the editing or cutting look invisible. He was also the film maker to use close ups to engage the audience and make the audience feel more emotionally connected to the character or subject showing it in a more closer angle.
Here is a quick clip explaining DW Griffith's work and showing some of his work. Showing how he mastered seamless editing, getting it right on the movement to seem like no cutting was done. It shows his famous film, Birth of a Nation in 1915, which shows seamless editing being used, as the man goes to bow, the scene cuts much closer as he brings his arm around his waist. But following that, the action in both shots, cutting much closer on the action both precisely right at the same time, being hard to noticed there was a cut there at all.
An example of another film that uses seamless editing is Spider Man; which was released in 2002. This scene shows Peter Parker just noticing his spider powers, and accidentally getting in a fight with school buddy Flash. Throughout the fight in the hall, seamless editing is used to make the fight flow and look more effective to the viewer. The audience not able to see cuts from one shot to the other. With each shot flowing with each other, it makes the scene easier to watch by the viewer, and more engaging having it flow with each scene to enjoy the film more.
