Film Editing Basics

Questions and Answers

What is editing in filmmaking?

the basic creative force of filmmaking, process of selecting, arranging, and assembling essential components to a movie

What is the fundamental building block of film editing?

the shot

What is film editing's fundamental tool?

the cut

What are the two explicit values in each shot?

<ol> <li>what is within the shot itself, 2. how the shot is situated in relation to other shots</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is the Kuleshov effect?

same actor with same blank expression after a shot of a dead woman, child, and a dish of soup; the audience believed he changed his emotion. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three responsibilities of the editor?

<ol> <li>spatial relationships between shots, 2. temporal relationships between shots, 3. the overall rhythm of the film</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are the different types of match cuts?

match on action cut, graphic match cut, eyeline match cut Signup and view all the answers

What does a match on action cut do?

shows us the continuation of a character's or object's motion through space without actually showing us the entire action Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a graphic match cut?

the similarity between shots A and B is the shape and form of what we see Signup and view all the answers

What is an eyeline match cut?

joins shot A in which someone is looking at someone off screen, and shot B, the object of that gaze Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of cutting in pre-digital editing?

the use of literal scissors to cut shots Signup and view all the answers

What is splicing in pre-digital editing?

the use of glue or tape to put shots together Signup and view all the answers

What is a spatial relationship in film editing?

specifies how some object is located in space in relation to some reference object Signup and view all the answers

What does temporal relationship refer to?

the timing between a factor and an outcome which can be used to assign causality to a relationship Signup and view all the answers

How is rhythm defined in film editing?

the systematic arrangement of music sounds principally according to the duration and periodic stress Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes classic editing?

characterized by shorter shot lengths, faster cuts between shots, more jump shots and close-ups Signup and view all the answers

What is continuity editing?

combining more-or-less related shots into a sequence to direct the viewer's attention Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of continuity?

the unbroken existence of something over a period of time Signup and view all the answers

What is ellipsis in film editing?

the omission of time to create a dramatic or comedic impact Signup and view all the answers

What does cutting on action refer to?

matching on action refers to film and editing techniques where the editor cuts from one shot to another view that matches the first shot's action Signup and view all the answers

What is shot/reverse shot?

a character looks at another character, then the other character is shown looking back at the first character Signup and view all the answers

What does a master shot capture?

a film recording of an entire dramatized scene from start to finish from an angle that keeps all the players in view Signup and view all the answers

What is the 180-degree rule in film?

2 characters in a scene must maintain the same left/right relationship to one another Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the axis of action?

imaginary line connecting two figures in a scene that defines the 180-degree space within the camera can record shots of those figures Signup and view all the answers

What is a jump cut?

the removal of a portion of film, resulting in an advance in action Signup and view all the answers

The difference between fade in/out and dissolve is that a fade in/out fades to ___ or color, vs a dissolve where shot B gradually appears over shot A.

black Signup and view all the answers

What is a split screen?

telling two stories at the same time by dividing the screen into different parts Signup and view all the answers

What is parallel editing, also known as cross cutting?

the intercutting of two or more distinct actions to create the effect of a single scene Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Film Editing Overview

Editing is the creative process of selecting, arranging, and assembling elements of a film.
The fundamental building block of film editing is the shot.

Core Concepts in Film Editing

The cut is the primary tool used in film editing.
Each shot has two explicit values: what is present in the shot and its relation to other shots.

Kuleshov Effect

An effect demonstrating that the same actor can evoke different emotions based on surrounding shots, influencing audience perception.

Editor Responsibilities

Editors manage spatial relationships, temporal relationships, and the overall rhythm of the film.

Types of Match Cuts

Match on Action Cut: Continuity of motion between a character or object across shots.
Graphic Match Cut: Similarity in shape and form between two shots.
Eyeline Match Cut: Connects a character's gaze with the object they are looking at.

Editing Techniques

Cutting: Traditional technique involving literal scissors to make edits.
Splicing: Pre-digital method using glue or tape to join film segments.

Spatial vs. Temporal Relationships

Spatial Relationship: How objects are arranged in relation to reference objects, often represented by bounding boxes.
Temporal Relationship: The timing between events that enables understanding of causality.

Rhythm in Film

Defined as the arrangement of sounds based on duration and stress.

Editing Styles

Classic Editing: Known for shorter shot lengths and rapid cuts.
Continuity Editing: Merges related shots to maintain story consistency across time and space.

Key Editing Terms

Continuity: The persistent existence of narrative elements over time.
Ellipsis: Omitting film time to enhance dramatic or comedic effects.
Cutting on Action: Editing technique that cuts during an action's motion for fluidity.

Shot Relationships

Shot/Reverse Shot: Alternating shots between characters engaging with each other.
Master Shot: A comprehensive view of an entire scene from a single angle.

Visual Guidelines

180 Degree Rule: Ensures characters maintain a consistent left/right relationship during shots.
Axis of Action: An imaginary line guiding camera positioning to maintain viewer orientation.

Specific Editing Techniques

Jump Cut: Deletes a segment of film to advance action abruptly.
Fade In/Out vs. Dissolve: Fades transition to black or color, whereas dissolves blend two shots to signal time passage.
Split Screen: Displays two narratives concurrently by dividing the screen.
Parallel Editing/Cross Cutting: Juxtaposes two or more distinct actions to create the illusion of simultaneous events.

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Description

This quiz encompasses key concepts from Chapter 8 of film editing, focusing on essential terminology and definitions. Test your understanding of fundamental elements such as shots, cuts, and the editing process in filmmaking.

Film Editing Basics - Chapter 8