Editing Chapter 8: Looking At Movies

Questions and Answers

What is editing?

The process (art and technique) by which individual shots are assembled into a cinematic whole.

What was 'Cutting and Splicing' used for before digital editing?

To add sound to films

To create special effects

To cut, glue, and tape film together (correct)

To project films

What does the term 'Technique' refer to in editing?

The joining together of two shots; cutting and splicing.

What is meant by 'Craft' in film editing?

Ability to join shots and produce a meaning that does not exist in either one of the individual shots. Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Shot'?

Basic building block of film editing. One uninterrupted run of the camera. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Take' indicate?

An indication of the number of times a particular shot is filmed. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Cut' in editing?

Editing's most fundamental tool, a direct change from one shot to another. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Kuleshov Effect?

A concept highlighting the tendency of viewers to interpret shots in relation to surrounding shots. Signup and view all the answers

What does Montage Editing achieve?

Juxtaposition of individual shots to create new meaning. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the Editor in film production?

The collaborator who decides what shots to use and how to assemble them into a cinematic whole. Signup and view all the answers

What are the Editor's Responsibilities?

Managing spatial relationships between shots Signup and view all the answers

What are Spatial Relationships in film editing?

The way shots are paired to expand or limit the viewer's sense of space. Signup and view all the answers

What are Temporal Relationships?

Relationships involving flashback, flash-forward, ellipsis, and montage. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Flashback?

The interruption of chronological plot time with a shot or series of shots that show what happened earlier in the story. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Flash-forward?

The interruption of present action by a shot or series of shots that show images from the plot's future. Signup and view all the answers

What does Ellipsis refer to?

An omission between one thing and another. Signup and view all the answers

What is Montage?

The process or technique of selecting, editing, and piecing together separate sections of film to form a continuous whole. Signup and view all the answers

How does editing affect Rhythm in film?

Editing determines the duration of a shot and controls the film's rhythm by varying it. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two Editing Approaches?

Continuity Signup and view all the answers

What does Continuity in editing seek to achieve?

Logic, smoothness, and sequential flow. Signup and view all the answers

What is Discontinuity in film editing?

Breaks the rules of continuity editing to create jarring transitions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Master Scene Technique?

A scene is photographed with a variety of individual shots running from a long shot to a close-up. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Master Shot?

A single scene with a long shot that covers characters and action in one continuous shot. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 180° Rule?

An imaginary horizontal line between the main objects or characters being photographed. Signup and view all the answers

What are some Techniques to Maintain Continuity?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is Shot/reverse shot?

The camera switches between shots of different characters (A-B-A). Signup and view all the answers

What are Match cuts?

'A' matches 'B' in action, subject, graphic content, or eye contact. Signup and view all the answers

What does Eye-line match involve?

'A' looks and 'B' looks back. Signup and view all the answers

What is Point-of-view editing?

Makes us aware we are seeing the perspective of a particular group. Signup and view all the answers

What is Parallel Editing?

Cutting together 2+ lines of action happening at the same time in different places. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Editing Overview

Editing is the art and technique of assembling individual shots into a cohesive cinematic whole.
Cutting and splicing was a manual editing process used before digital technology, involving physically cutting and gluing film.

Key Terminology

A shot is the basic unit of film editing, representing one continuous camera run.
A take refers to how many times a specific shot has been filmed.
The cut is the fundamental editing tool that marks the transition from one shot to another.
The Kuleshov Effect demonstrates how audience interpretation changes based on the sequence of shots.

Editing Techniques

Montage editing juxtaposes shots to create new meanings and manipulate viewer perception.
Editors are responsible for spatial and temporal relationships, as well as the overall rhythm of the film.

Relationships in Editing

Spatial relationships expand understanding of a scene's space through the arrangement of shots.
Temporal relationships include techniques like flashbacks, flash-forwards, ellipsis, and montage, influencing the narrative timeline.

Specific Techniques

Flashback interrupts the present with scenes from the past, common across genres.
Flash-forward showcases future events, providing glimpses beyond the current timeline.
Ellipsis refers to the omission of time or events between scenes for pacing or narrative focus.

Master Techniques

The master scene technique uses various shots, from wide to close-ups, to capture a scene comprehensively.
A master shot is a long continuous take that covers characters and actions within a scene.

Continuity Editing

The 180-degree rule helps maintain screen direction by keeping the camera on one side of an imaginary line between main subjects.
Techniques to uphold continuity include:
- Shot/reverse shot: alternates between shots of characters (A-B-A).
- Match cuts: connects two shots through similar action or subject.
- Eye-line match: shows a character looking at something followed by what they see.
- Point-of-view editing: presents the perspective of a specific character or group.

Rhythm and Approaches

Editing influences a film's rhythm through shot duration control.
Two main editing approaches are:
- Continuity seeks a smooth, logical flow (invisibility).
- Discontinuity deliberately disrupts narrative coherence through mismatches in various elements like location or lighting.

Parallel Editing

Also known as cross-cutting, this technique intersperses two or more lines of action occurring simultaneously in different locations, creating a dynamic narrative structure.

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Explore key concepts from Chapter 8 of 'Looking At Movies' focused on editing. This quiz covers important terms such as cutting, splicing, and the technical craft of editing in filmmaking. Test your knowledge of these essential terms and techniques used in creating cinematic narratives.