Editing Rhythm

Editing Rhythm

Editing rhythm refers to a number of different shots played in a particular pace in order to excite the audience and increasing intensity. 

The quicker the pace, the more intense whereas the slower the pace, the more relaxed. 

The editor would then have to choose which particular shot would have the most impact and where, in addition to choosing which shots create a better and more accurate visual representation of what is going on in the scene. 

The appropriate sequence of shots will create an effective build up. 

Providing & Withholding Information

Providing & Withholding Information

Providing and withholding information is a useful method of keeping the audience engaged in the story. This strategy is often used in genres such as horrors, due to the audience not having a substantial amount of knowledge as to what will happen next in the action shown. 

This strategy can be carried out by using cutaways and point of view shots considering that extending the amount of time before a viewer can find something out can leave them on the edge of their seats wanting to find out more. Again, point of view shots are frequently used in horrors and thrillers to make the audience feel as if they are the victim themselves and are unaware of the events that can happen next. 

This image is a point of view shot of a character running in the street, this is an example of making the audience feel as if they are running along and feeling as vulnerable as the characters in the film. 

This is also an example of a point of view shot from what seems like a horror/thriller. This could be represented as a victim looking at its attacker as they lay on the floor, which again can make the audience feel as vulnerable as they are. 

180 Degree Rule & Shot Reverse Shot

180 Degree Rule

The 180 degree rule refers to keeping a camera positioned on one side of an imaginary line, this is to achieve the best shots that make sense to your audience, helping them gain an understanding of where everything is in the scene. This can be achieved through using looking space and eyeline match. 

In addition to this, it is important to capture facial expressions and reactions of the actors in order for the audience to gain a sense of what's going on in the scene, this is where you shoot in one direction (facing over the shoulder of one character) and then do the same with the character facing opposite. 

Here is an example of a shot reverse shot, it is first shot showing one direction and then the exact same angle in the other direction. This is to clarify to the audience that they are exactly looking at eachother. In order to correctly achieve this, you need to imagine that there is a line between the actors and you must not cross that line by moving the camera too far away. 

Here is an example of the line (the blue area) that must not be crossed, if the camera is placed outside of the line, then the rule is broken. 

Point of View Shot

Point of View Shots

Point of view shots enable the audience to see events from a character's perspective. 

Point of view shots are often edited in a particular way so that it is clear to the audience as to who's perspective they are seeing from. This could be through showing what the character is looking at and another shot showing the character's facial expression, which is referred to as a reverse shot. 

Here are a range of examples of point of view shots from a selection of different films. The point of view shot in this clip is taken from inside the trunk of a car, to the audience this can provide them with a first person view of whatever the object/person can see from that particular position. This can be a useful tool to make the audience feel as if they are in that character's shoes, such as to make them feel as vulnerable as the character is. 

Cutting and Splicing

Cutting and splicing from yl98

Cutting to a Soundtrack

Cutting to a Soundtrack

This technique is used when shots are cut in sync with a beat.

The beats of the music will often dictate where cuts will happen. 

Depending on the type of action, the editor can edit the cuts to either a fast beat or a slower pace. The editor may decide to go against this, making the shot asynchronous in order to confuse the audience.

Cutaways

Cutaways

Cutaway shots are often included in a scene of action. This is where there is a shot of something else in between that action.

Cutaways enable the director to include breaks at different periods of time during the action, keeping the audience ready and wanting to see more. 

However, cutaways can make the audience lose interest and patience due to consistent interruption. 

Cutaways can also be used to: 

• Create suspense.
• Give the audience a sense of place and time.

This extract from The Godfather is a clear example of a cutaway; for around a minute the main character (Michael) speaks about his family, engaging both the person he is speaking to and the audience into the story he is telling. The man Michael is talking about his father being close to is the singer that the camera cuts to right before he says "That's my family, Kay". This leaves creates suspense for the audience, making them want to watch more into the story.