EDITING

Basic responsibility of an editor: to assemble a complete film that is a unified whole in which each separate shot or sound contributes to the development of the theme and the total effect This is done through the selection of the best takes, variations of the same shot Editing can help the film in various ways

T RANSITIONS Traditional transitional devices: Wipe- a new image is separated from the previous image by means of a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line that moves across the screen to wipe the previous image away Flip frame- the entire frame appears to flip over to reveal a new scene, creating the visual effect very similar to turning a page Fade-out/fade-in- the last image of one sequence fades momentarily to black, and the first image of the next sequence is gradually illuminated Dissolve- the end of one shot gradually merges into the beginning of the next

Most modern filmmakers do not use these editing techniques unless they want an older look, most use a simple cut from one sequence to another Some may use a form cut- the shape of one object in one shot is matched to a similarly shaped object in the next shot Color or texture can also be used to link shots

Outside/in editing- follows a logical sequence and concentrates on orienting us to the new setting from the outside and gradually works in to the details Inside/out editing- in a sequence of related shots, we back off from the detail of the first close-up and gradually find out where we are and what is happening

E XPANSION AND COMPRESSION OF TIME Flash cuts- short machine-gun bursts of images sandwiched together, can compress an hour’s action into a few seconds Jump cut- eliminates a strip of insignificant or unnecessary action from a continuous shot Parallel cut- quickly alternating back and forth between two actions taking place at separate locations

S LOW MOTION Reasons to use slow motion: To stretch the moment and intensify its emotional quality To exaggerate effort, fatigue, and frustration To suggest superhuman speed and power To emphasize the grace of physical action To suggest the passage of time To create a sharp contrast with normal motion

MONTAGE Montage- a series of images and sounds that, without any clear, logical, or sequential pattern, form a visual poem in miniature Uses visual and aural images as impressionistic shorthand to create mood, atmosphere, transition in time or place, or a physical or emotional impact