~ 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.