Editing Techniques

Editing Techniques

Walter Murch, a famous editor involved with films such as ‘The Godfather III’ and ‘Apocalypse Now’, wrote ‘The Blink of an Eye’ where he discusses his experiences with editing. The ‘Rule of Six’ lays out a set of criteria that Murch believes are fundamental factors when editing. These include:

•   Emotion
•   Story
•   Rhythm
•  Eye-trace
•   Two-dimensional plane of screen
•   Three-dimensional space of action

Editing Technique	Explanation
Action Match	Either an action commenced in shot A is completed in shot B, or an action in shot A is mirrored by an action in shot B, for example when there's a cut from character A in location A reading a letter, to character B in location B reading the same letter.
Cross Cutting	Cutting from one subject to another (for example a chase sequence) or a way of manipulating time where we cut between two different story lines running simultaneously.
Continuity Editing	The most common type of editing, which aims to create a sense of reality and of time moving forward. Also nick - named invisible editing referring to how the techniques draw attention to the editing process.
Cutaways	A brief shot that momentarily interrupts continuous action by briefly inserting another related action. Object or person (sometimes not part of the principle scene or main action), followed by a cutback to the original shot.
Eye-line Match	Shots are matched by the linkage from the gaze of one character towards another character. If character A looks down to see characters B, character B will look up to see character A.
Freeze Frame	The effect of seemingly stopping a film in order to focus in one event or element.
Flashback	A scene or moment in a film in which the audience is shown an event that happened earlier in the films narrative.
Graphic Match	An edit effect in which two different objects of the same shape are dissolved from one into the other
Jump Cut	An abrupt, disorienting transitional devices in the middle if a continuous shot in which the action is noticeably advanced in time and/or cut between two similar shots, usually done to create discontinuity for artistic effect.
Juxtaposition	The placement of two (often opposed) images on either side of an edit to create and effect.
Linear Narrative	A style of storytelling in which events happen chronologically.
Montage Editing	The juxtaposition of seemingly unconnected images in order to create meaning.
Parallel Editing	A type of editing in which events in two locations are cut together, in order to connote a connection between the two sets of events.
Slow Motion	Often used to emphasise a particular action of event for example creating a sense of jeopardy as a car attempts a long jump.
Sound Match	Either a sound begun in a short A continues in shot B, or sound in shot A Is matched by another, similar but difference sound in shot B (for example a scream cuts to train whistle).
Visual Effects	Visual effects are conventionally used to alter previously- filmed elements by adding, removing or enhancing objects within the scene.

Editing Used in ‘Alien’ (1979) and ‘Shaun of the Dead’ (2004)

Walter Murch’s Rule of Editing	Alien (1979) dir. Ridley Scott	Shaun of the Dead (2004) dir. Edgar Wright
Emotion	People running, scared/frightened facial expression. Creates a sense of urgency and desperation, showing that something is out to get them.	Slow panning shots and cross cutting present the repetitive, boring daily routine for the main characters.
Story	The montage gives a glimpse of grim figures and people running. Plunges the audience straight into action and shows the tone and progression of the story. The close up of the egg gives significance as it questions how this may lead to the ‘Alien’.	Montage editing technique. Camera moves up the body of the character, emphasis on character’s costume. Focus of the way the person walks, like a zombie. This could foreshadow future events.
Rhythm	The use of sound starts off slow, however pace quickens along with action. This has an effect of building tension and suspense. Establishes the genre of the film: horror, as conventional techniques is portrayed.	At first rather quick, and follows the beat of the music. The slow scenes change to faster ones as the sequence progresses. This could show the boring and repetitive nature of activities.
Eye-trace	Slowly travels through space, suggests it is an important edit as it is long scene. Zooms into mysterious objects, narrative enigma, how they can influence the plot. Close up of characters shows how they are significant to the plot: protagonist.	Close up shot of the main character panning upwards – costume, objects, jump cuts. The focus sifts to common objects e.g.) jam and milk. Shows the environment and how he lives.
Two-dimensional plane of screen	Pan down egg, key feature as shots keep cutting back to it. The ship is isolated from everyone in space however the people are together, shows how people are safe and space is dangerous.	Clutter everywhere. Short jump cuts: meaningless common activities showing his daily routine. Clutter: relation between characters and their environment, suggesting they are lazy.
Three-dimensional space of action	Lots of space around each shot, suggests they are in an unfamiliar place. Space of action, large space whilst small group of people, signifies their loneliness.	Close together, showing how the characters live together. Lots of clutter close to the characters, showing how they live. Suggesting that they are lazy and do not do much.