Editing is the process of using Film, audio and other media to convey information. The process of editing itself can be made up of correction, organizing and also condensing and picking out certain parts of the film to use for the final edit. Processes such as these can help to make or break a film as good editing will help to keep the film consistent and accurate. Most editing is done as a collaborative effort, although this depends on the type of film as for example most short films will most likely be edited by the same person who directed it.Very early films simply had no editing and where short and made use of one long, static and locked down shot as back then the motion of characters for example was all that was needed to entertain.
Film Editing: When editing first came about the raw footage straight from the film was used to create a consistent edit instead of the digital medium we have today that is more common place. Traditional film editing was seen more as a skill and also an "invisible art". This was due to the fact that film editing had to be well practiced and was a hard skill to master in order to get the edit correct, however editing was not noticed to much by viewers as they became involved in the film hence why it was seen as an invisible art. Below is a video example of early film editing.
Film editors had to work with not just placing the pieces of the film together but they also had to work with many different layers such as music, the pacing of the film and also the actors performances to help create the film. This would sometimes lead to the film being re-written almost as the film was being edited together.
Digital Editing: Thanks to the evolution of digital editing, editors and the people they worked with have now become more responsible for different roles that were once there own unique roles in film making. An example of this change can be seen in picture editing that literally only dealt with just images, however picture editors can now deal with aspects such as visual effects editing or even sound. This practice of having one member take on different roles is common place in low budget films.
Transitions: This is a post production process used in film making that makes use of shots being combined, this is used as a normal cut to the next scene for example. Some films make use of particular transitions to help create a certain mood or feeling, additionally these can also be used to show time passing within the film world. Transitions can be for example -
Cut: Basic form of editing, most common for placing two shots together
Contrast Cut: E.g. Someone dreaming of them running through a field, next shot they wake up in a burning room.
L Cut: E.g. you hear characters voices before you see them on screen
Wipe: One shot replacing another, an example of this can be viewed below:
Dissolve: Slowly changing the visibility of the picture, leading onto the next frame
Jump Cut: Happens when a cut used to show a camera angle change then reveals a continuity area
Visual Analysis - Finding Examples In Our Chosen Media Extract
Here is a list of the type of shots that were used in the media extract, this list also shows the timecode, technique used, what it is used for within the media extract and also its impact and the possible affect on the audience.
However before the list starts, here are some editing techniques that did not feature in the short film "Maniac"
1. Providing and withholding information
This is where the filmmakers make their narrative more dramatic by giving the audience more or less information than the characters in the film for example. This is best seen in the TV series Columbo where the viewer is shown the killer before the main character even knows.
2. Parallel editing/cross cutting
This is a technique of alternating two or more scenes that happen most of the time simultaneously but at two different locations.
3. Construction of the "Time" and "Space" of the story, both diegetically and implied
Time: This is best seen within James Bond for example as Bond may be called away on a assignment somewhere like Russia while he is in Italy for example. The shot that follows could be Bonds plane touching down in Russia, what has been skipped is the rest of the flight and instead the filmmaker has got to the end for time reasons.
Space: An example of this could be a shot of a house that then cuts to a shot of someone sitting at a sofa, the viewer then knows that the shot with the person sitting at the sofa is taking place in the house that was shown before.
4. Multiple Points of view
These show the perspective of the person on screen, this turns the camera into the characters eyes almost as you appear to be looking through them. A great example of this can be seen in the TV series "Peep Show" link to watch a clip here.
5. Cutaways
This is the interruption of a continuously filmed part by inserting something else of a different view. These shots are mostly followed by a cut back to the first shot.
Below you can view the media text used in this visual analysis.
1. Timecode: [00:09]
Technique Used: Camera movement, Crabbing
What Is It Used For?: This helps to set an establishing shot almost as it starts of the media extract. This Crabbing shot shows a row of houses to start with while also following a character holding a petrol can. This helps to establish the characters as well.
Impact On The Audience: Since there's no soundtrack other than just ambient sound of a burning building, this helps to set a creepy tone but also an interesting one as the viewer might want to know who exactly did this and why.
These screens show what the crabbing camera movement leads into
2. Timecode: [01:20 - 01:30]
Technique Used: Simple Cut
What Is It Used For?: This is used to simply move between a different location, this also brings a change of the soundtrack to help create a less friendly tone compared to the previous shot.
Impact On The Audience: This could interest the audience as they wonder what happens next and how that relates to what the characters were talking about earlier.
3. Timecode: [08:48]
Technique Used: Establishing Shot
What Is This Used For? An Establishing shot is used to help set up the location for that particular shot, this helps the audience see where the next scene will take place.
Impact On The Audience: This shows the location for the scene and also shows that the camera is closer to the main characters that what is has been in previous shots. This then means that the audience may feel nervous or unsettled.
4. Timecode: [04:24]
Technique Used: Montage/Shot Variation/Editing Rhythm
What Is This Used For?: In the film the montage part is used to show the violence the main characters participate in. This also shows how the characters go about causing there violence.
Impact On The Audience: This could unsettle audiences as it shows acts of unnecessary violence, blood and some gore.
These screenshots show the violence caused during the montage part.
This montage also shows shot variations, below are the examples found in the extracts montage sequence.
5. Timecode: [04:19]
Technique Used: Sound Bridge
What Is This Used For?: This helps to lead into the montage part of the short film, this also helps set the tone for this part of the film.
Impact On The Audience: This helps to almost prepare in a way whats to come for the audience as the music fits the carnage that is to come in the next few shots.
6. Timecode: [01:15 - 01:23]
Technique Used: 180 Degree Rule/Eye Line Match/Shot Reverse Shot/Close Ups/Motivated Editing
What Is This Used For?: This shot is used to show the character conversing while also eating dinner, it is also important to note that this shows the main protagonists for the first time on screen.
Impact On The Audience: The audience gets an identity to who the main characters might be in the short film. Also what they are talking about during this scene could also unsettle viewers or possibly intrigue them.
7. Timecode: [06:01 - 06:07]
Technique Used: Reaction Shot
What Is This Used For?: This is used to show that the character has been murdering people in the dark, this is due to the fact that the light from the camera makes him block it out with his hand, and also his hand is covered in blood.
Impact On The Audience: This gives evidence for the audience as the shots before this are of dead bodies covered in blood, almost like a trail of carnage, however this shot helps to confirm the viewers suspicions.
8. Timecode: [09:04]
Technique Used: Point Of View Shot
What Is This Used For?: This is used to portray the point in the film where the characters turn on the film crew.
Impact On The Audience: This is part of the twist in the film and also how it ends so the audience could be in shock about the twist as they kill the film crew.
9. Timecode: [05:16]
Technique Used: Jump Cut
What Is This Used For?: This is to show how ruthless the killer is perhaps, or it is used just to speed up time when the character is getting the body out of the closet.
Impact On The Audience: Hard to notice at first watch so the audience may not even see this jump cut.
10. Timecode: [01:14 - 01:49]
Technique Used: Screen Time
What Is This Used For?: Used to show the characters and their actions
Impact On The Audience: Helps the viewer to follow their journey and see what they are doing, this could perhaps unsettle the viewer as they could think the characters actions are strange.
Also important to note that both characters are in parallel with each-other with one on the left and the other on the right hand side.
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