Editing

What is editing?

Putting the shots together.
Adding in effects.
What happens in post-production, to create narritive.

Why is it important?

So the film links together smoothly, looks professional and imposes the correct order.

Most texts use a systems of editing editing known as continuity editing.

The function of this system is to make the action as fluid as possible, so that we aren't aware of the construction process.

Some editing terms.

Split screen - the screen is divided to showtwo lines of action simultaneously.

Cut - change from one shot/image to another. One of the most common transitions but it still creates an effect.

Dissolve - a slow transition as one image merges into another. It can suggest a strong connection between the two shots.

Graphic match cut - This is when one object is cut to another of a simular looking (but completly different) object. ie: A sunset cutting to a tomato.

Jump cut - same scene but it cuts to a slightly different angle. (under 30 degrees difference)

Slow take - a shot that lingers on the action, it's the equivelant of staring.

Focus pull -  where the focus is changed in the middle of a shot.

Narrow focus - when the range of distance that's in focus is very narrow/small.

Parallel editing - a technique which allows for cutting between two or more scenes where action is taking place simultaneously.

Camera Angles and Movement

Establishing shot

Camera far away from subject. Lots of background showing the location.

Long shot

Camera far enough away to see the whole character and part of the background

Medium shot

Camera shows only from the waist-up, with some background

Close-up

Head and somethimes the tops of the shoulders. used to high-light an important object or to show emotion.

Extreme close-up

Focuses on 1 object in the mise-en-scene/an element of the face.

Point of View shot

Camera positioned so the audience sees through the eyes of a character. (Breaks the 4th wall.)

Over-shoulder-shot

Seeing what a character may see but this time not from their POV, often the audience is an invisible observer.

Low angle

Camera lower than eye-level looking up. Shows that the character(s) in the shot is/are more important , or a higher authority.

High angle

 Camera is higher than eye-level looking down the character(s) who will normally be weaker or less important.