Friday, 12 February 2016

Editing Techniques: The History and Visual Analysis.

The History of Editing:

In the 1900's, when film making was just beginning, there was no specific way/form of editing. However, through continuous Hollywood film making an editing system gradually developed. The system was designed to overcome edits that were confusing the audience, and instead allow them to be able to follow the action clearly. The moving images we see today nearly always reverts to this system. The main aspect of this system is known as the continuity system. This is a list of rules that need to be followed for each shot and the rules of how they should be combined. However, these rules can be broken/ have been broken for effect in today's film making.
In-Camera-Editing: this form of editing involves shooting the footage in chronological order of the final product, therefor, this means that you will not need to upload your footage.
Digital film making VS Film (Splicing); Film (splicing) was how film first began, these were the days when film was produced on a photographic strip and then processed, and shot through with a light box to create the moving images. To edit the film involved physically using scissors and cutting the strip of film and sticking it together again with tape. It was a long and agonizing process, especially if it went wrong. Digital film making; such as what is largely used today, involves filming footage on a camera (in any order) and then downloading the saved footage onto an editing software so all the editing is done digitally.
Transitions: this is a form of editing for how each shot ends or begins. It can be used for fluidity, drama, action and to help quicken or slow dawn the pace of the film. Also these can be used to create different time zones and shots that are happening at the same time (meanwhile shots). Transitions include Cuts, Dissolve, Fade and Wipe.

Visual Analysis:



Continuity system.

  • Establishing shots.
In the clip at the 0:32 mark there is an establishing shot. It shows Iron Man flying in the the scene of the flying city. This technique is used to show the full scene and its scale that our characters are in. It helps the audience see the and feel the action of the shot and marvel at what they see.




  • 180 degree Rule.






- Shot 1                             Shot 2 -

In the clip at the 0:56 (shot 1) and at the 0:57 (shot 2) marks the 180 degree rule is used but this rule is broken. This rule can be described as an imaginary line  where the camera is placed to help maintain continuity, it shows how characters or objects are to each other (they are always on the same side). If this line is crossed, it results in continuity errors and confuses the scene and the characters/objects positions and makes the audience confused as to where everything in the scene actually is. At this moment in the clip above this rule is broken; Iron Man is on the left and Black Widow is on the right in the first shot; but in the second shot they have swapped sides. However even though this breaks the 180 degree rule it in not confusing and actually makes more seance, because even though they look the opposite sides, you can still see that they are in the same positions as before it just the camera is now behind them and not in front of them anymore.


  • Shot-reverse-shot.





- Shot 1                             Shot 2 -


In the clip at the 2:49 (shot 1) and at the 2:53 (shot 2) marks a Shot-reverse-shot is used. This form of shot is similar to the 180 degree rule, this shot is normally used to film a conversation and keep switching over each characters shoulder; insuring that the characters remain on the same sides in all the shots, but in this clips case it is a battle stand off between three of the Avengers and Ultron. In order to successfully carry out this shot the 180 degree rule must be followed, just like it is in the clip above. The three Avengers are always on the left side of the frame and Ultron is always on the right side of the frame; this makes the shot of the confrontation in this scene clear as to where the characters are and the shot makes sense.


  • Match cuts on action.




- Shot 1                             Shot 2 -


In the clip at the 0:36 (shot 1) and at the 0:38 (shot 2) marks, a cut on action shot is used. It's where action is happening in one shot, then it cuts to the same action continuing on in the next shot. In shot 1 above it shows Captain America jump-rolling through the window into the back of one of Ultron's robots; bringing him to the ground. The next shot, shot 2, The robot gets up from the floor and Captain America continues to move from the previous shot and destroys the robot. This establishes the fluidity of the attack move and the continuous flow of the scene. This allows the audience to easily follow all the action and to not get lost or confused in the scene.


  • Motivated editing.




- Shot 1                             Shot 2 -


In the clip at the 1:21 (shot 1) and at the 1:22 (shot 2) marks, motivated editing; otherwise know as and eye-line match-cut, is used. These shots are used when, in the first shot, a character appears to be looking at something just out of shot, and then the camera cuts to the next shot and that shot shows what the character was looking at. In shot 1 above, Ultron is flying up of the ground and looking and talking down to the Avengers; the camera is at a low angle looking up at him. In the next shot, shot 2, we see all the Avengers looking up at Ultron. We see this from Ultron's point of view, so the camera is at a high angle looking down at the Avengers, just like Ultron was seen doing in the previous shot (shot 1). This makes sense and takes the audience right in the middle of the action.


Identification with main protagonist or other characters.


  • Screen time. This refers to how much time the Protagonist (one of/ the main character) is on screen for. In the Avengers: Age of Ultron (the clip I'm analyzing) the character Tony Stark/ Iron Man has the most screen time (in this particular clip). Here are a selection from my clip;
































  • Close-ups. These are zoomed in images of objects or characters faces to show detail, emotion and to get that audience closer to the action and to the characters. Both emotionally and physically. Blow are the close ups of the protagonist and other characters in this particular clip;

You can see in these close ups that Tony Stark/Iron Man's emotions as he comes up with ideas to win the battle.



In this close up of Ultron we are show by his expressions that he is angry and willing to keep fighting back.





But in this close up however, his expressions show fear and desperation of loosing the battle.








  • Point of view shot. This type of shot, shows the point of view of a certain character. It shows the audience what they see with there own eyes; resulting in the audience becoming involved with the film. Below is an example of a point of view shot from the clip;

    The clip on the left shows Ultron looking down at something. After the camera cuts you see that he is looking down on the Avengers.


  • Reaction shot. This is used to show a characters emotional or physical response to and event, statement or action made by another character. Below is an example of a reaction shot from the clip;

In the clip at the 1:30 mark, Tony makes a reference to 'The Old Man'. Referring and looking toward Captain America. When it cuts we see Captain America turn towards Tony and smile slightly to the comment, knowing that Tony calls him that. This is a great way to involve the audience as it makes them believe in the characters certain relationships with each other.



Written final section and Conclusion.


  • Shot variation. This means not using the same shot over and over again as this is boring and simple and you will loose the audiences attention in the film. It is also best to vary shots to show different forms of action; suspense; drama etc. this then has a positive effect of your audience as it keeps them engaged and griped with the story. Below are examples of the different types of shots;


  1. Extreme Long shot (ELS). This type of shot is used to show environment, or an object that is far away from the audience/camera. These are also used for establishing shots. 





      2. Long shot (LS). This type of shot shows             the characters full body in the frame, this             allows for action to take place with the                 character.






     3. Medium shot (MS). This shot shows the              character from the waist up, because this              shot shows the characters emotion,                        expressive body language and there                      costume.





     4. Close-up (CU). These shots are used to                show a characters face/head, which will be          larger than the frame, to show a characters            full emotion and to show great detail in                things in the frame.





     5. Extreme close-up.  This shot is used so                show immense detail or to focus in a                    specific piece of information.For example,            to the right is a screen shot from the film             'Thor', showing a single but distinctive tear            fall down Odin's cheek; making the                      audience feel how sad he is about Thor's              death, and being able to relate to it.



     6. Wide shot (WS). This shot is designed to            show a characters body or an object of                  significance in there full surroundings. This          allows for full on action to take place.






     7. Point of view shot (POV). This shot is                used simply to show what the characters              see with there own eyes; resulting in                    putting the audience in the scene                          themselves. The example on the right                    shows from Ultron's POV looking down at          the Avengers while flying (like the                        example I gave earlier with this scene).


     8. Over-the-shoulder shot (OSS). This is                used to help establish characters positions            within the scene and as regards to each                other in the scene. The shot is made simply          by positioning the camera
         over the shoulder of character.




     9. Eye level/ Straight on. The camera is                  positioned eye level with the camera and is          used to show calmness or a form of                      normality withing the scene.






     10. Canted angle/ Dutch angle. Is in the                    form of a horizontal frame and creates                 distortion or confusion or an ere                           atmosphere within the scene. This is an                 example from one of the Hobbit films of a           canted angle (I couldn't find on in the clip             above). It shows the audience that                         something isn't right about the place where          Gandalf is standing, and it makes the                    audience fear for him.


     11. Low angle. This shot is used to give                    power or dominance to a character; this is            done by placing the camera at a low                      position and have it looking up at the                    character. This makes the audience feel                small and inferior compared to them.




     12. High angle. This show is used to imply/              make a character look week or unworthy;            this is done by placing the camera at a                  high position and have it looking down at            the character. This then makes the                        audience either feel like they have the                  upper hand or make them feel sorry for                the character.


     13. Bird's eye view. The camera is positioned            directly above the characters or object.                  This implies that they are insignificant                  and to establish where they are in the                    scene.





     14. Worm's eye view. The camera is directly            below the action/ scene looking up, as if              someone is lying on the ground and                      looking up at the sky. This is normally                  used to show dominance and power.







  • Montage. This is a technique that involves cutting different short clips from the film and piecing them together to form a sequence. Normally something that happens over time and shows progression, or it shows different characters preparing for something at the same time just is different locations. The example below shows each of the Avengers as they prepare and get ready to face Ultron together as a team. (the screenshots of the clip below are from a different clip than the one I'm analyzing but it's from the same film). It shows each of them getting their gear and preparing to fight in there own space and style that suits them.
























  • Providing and withholding information. For these techniques you can choose to show the audience the entire action of the sequence, or cut/ edit the sequence so as to not provide the audience with the whole information of the scene. For example in a horror, to provide the audience with information you can show a shot of the killer going in for the kill and then cut to the result of the murder with the victim. However, if you want to withhold information you can show a shot of the killer going in for the kill, but then have it cut to black and this leaves the audience to assume the worst scenario that could have happened to the victim.

For example, in this screenshot from an Avengers; Age of Ultron clip, we see agent Romanoff open a hatch and look down and sigh at what she sees. But we don't get a shot from here point of view, so the audience is left wondering what she could be looking at. This is an example of withholding information.
However, in this shot seconds after, it gets revealed to the audience that agent Romanoff was looking at a motorcycle that she will need to ride for the chase scene. This is an example of providing information.








  • Parallel editing/ cross-cutting. This form of editing is used to show two or more scenes/ story lines that are happening at the same time as each other. This usually means that they are somehow linked together and may or may not come together during the film. For this example the final scene to Captain America: The winter soldier, it keeps cutting between the scene with Natasha Romanoff ect. (the first six images); The helicariers being shot down with Steve Rogers and Bucky Barns on board; and the fist fight with Sam and the Hydra agent. This shows that all these events are happening at the same time as each other.













  • Editing rhythm. This technique is the form of organizing shots in to a certain rhythmic pattern, involving the use of music/ soundtrack. It cam be used in the form of a narrative or in the context of a music video. It is a technique in which the music is the main focus rather than the dialogue. For example in the clip below from the opening scene of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The scene plays out in accordance to the music; the tempo quickens when they fight and make contact with each other; slows down and quietens when they are a little apart; and stops all together when they stop fighting and dialogue is exchanged. The quick changes in tempo puts the audience on the edge of their seats and keeps them interested in the action and construction of the sequence, rather than the dialogue.

  • Construction of the 'time' and 'space' of the story, both diegetically and implied.
Diegetic time and space involves changing the pace and speed of a film to show the audience that a long time has past for the characters, but in film time, only a few minutes has passed. A good example would be the scene in the Karate Kid where the boy is doing his training.



  • Cutting to soundtrack. This technique is self explanatory, it's when a scene will cut to a composed (usually) soundtrack. This usually is used to get full emotion across the scene, such as danger; triumph; sadness (death); anxiety etc. or it is used to help boost action scenes.

At the 1;56 mark is when the quiet, slow, beginning of the soundtrack comes in. This slowly signals to the audience that something is about to happen.
Then the soundtrack picks up and the scene is slowed down at the 2:06 mark. The music is uplifting and makes the audience feel uplifted that the heroes will win the battle.

Then at the 2:36 mark the music changes is rhythm slightly as two of the strongest characters come together and fight. This signals that it is an important collision/fight within the scene.
Then at the 2:44 mark, the soundtrack rises in tempo as the heroes come out stronger than the villain; this tells the audience that the battle is almost near it's end.
This happens before finally rising at the 2:57 mark, and then the soundtrack completely finishing by the 2:51 mark; signaling the end of the battle and that the heroes have won.









  • Multiple points of view. This technique is self explanatory in the fact that it simply involves being able to view a scene/action from different angles. This allows the audience to witness the scene from different directions, get the full scale of the scene, and/or to be able to witness every characters action and reaction to whats happening within the scene. For example the shot bellow of Iron Man, Vision and Thor standing in a triangle, is seen from a side on angle and a head on angle.








  • Cutaways. This technique involves cutting to a completely different type and theme of a shot, rather than continuing the flow of action from before. These can be used to cut to a happy or a dangerous looking image to either imply that all is well within the story or something extremely bad is about to happen. For example; in Avengers Age of Ultron, there is a huge fight scene on a ship, but midway through the fight, it cuts to Bruce Banner who is inside the jet where it is calm.








  • Jump-cut. This is a transition in which one shot appears to jump because of how the different shots are either framed or positioned in comparison to each other.This is normally scene as an untidy transition, but it also a great way to show disorientation within the scene, or to confuse audiences to advance the plot. For example; below is an example from 'The Ring'. Once the girl stands up, it immediately cuts to her closer to the shot. Shots like these are often used in horrors to create jump scares.



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