Seamless/Continuity
Continuity editing is simply the flow of the edit, its he sequence of clips all put together in a timeline, making sure that the whole scene is fluid and seems natural. Continuity editing makes sure that nothing in the scene is out of place eg props that have moved or any of the background set.Often sitcoms will use continuity editing as such in Friends, because they typically want to make each scene very fluid for the audience to really pay attention to the humor. This scene from Friends is an example of continuity editing which can be seen at (0:25) the scene denotes Ross coming into the apartment, we see him in a mid shot with an etchy-sketch hanging on the door, reading, 'Joey-Call Kim.' The scene then cuts to the other characters to see there reactions at (0:35) it then cuts back to the same shot of Ross with the same background. This scene connotes the use of continuity as the whole background is kept the same way throughout the whole scene. This technique is used to allow the audience to follow the scene smoothly. If everything is always in the same place throughout then the audience don't have to think too much about what they are watching. Furthermore, it allows the audience to feel immersed in the programme/ film.
I have used this technique in many of my projects more specifically my project called, ' The Encounter' this was a piece that i really focused on the skill of continuity. Whilst it seems like a simple skill it does require some thinking about the props placements throughout the scene.
Motivated
Motivated editing techniques are quite simply when something is not in frame but the character hints at it, to which the camera will later cut to it. Motivated editing almost acts as a reveal typically used in Horror films or flashback scenes.
During this scene of The Dark Knight Rises we see the motivated technique used as a flashback scene. Here in the present time, the characters hint at something which is later revealed in the form of a flashback. At (0:26) we see Batman ask Bain about the pit and if he was the child of Ra's al Ghul, Miranda then comes into shot stabbing Batman and revealing she was the child of Ra's al Ghul and that Bain was her protector. We then cut to a flashback of how she climbed up and escaped the pit leaving Bain behind. This motivated technique allows for information to be revealed to the audience,it allows for a big reveal and shows the audience that they may have thought was wrong. In a more conventional style the motivated technique would make the scene more tense, however in this instance the whole point of the technique is to stab Batman in the back and leave the audiene feeling shocked.
Montage
This editing technique is the use of many small individual clips that are all added together as such of a collage. They are molded together to create a package, typically used to excite the audience, and will always use multiple locations.Montage editing can be seen mainly in Film trailers much like Mad Max Fury Road. This trailer uses a rapid montage at the start which comes to an anti-climatic fade, the trailer then proceeds with the montage style but the shots are much longer. The Mad Max Fury Road trailer uses a montage style throughout but from the start till (0:19) we see the technique used more specially. Throughout the start of the trailer Max is constantly running but in the edit it rapidly cuts to different parts of the scene, flashbacks, different camera shot types. The use of the montage style is designed to keep the audience engrossed. The style has this suspenseful, anxious tone to it which in turn keeps the audience watching as it leads to either a big climatic reveal or in this instance it fades out to create this anti-climatic feeling and carries on with the rest of the trailer with a voice over from Max. This technique does allow the trailer to move along at a very fast pace, which carries this unnerving tone for the audience.
In my own experiences i have done some montage editing with my showreel. My showreel contains a sequence of many different shots that i have produced over the course of a year. Whilst it may seem easy using this style i still needed to really think about how it would flow nicely.
Jump-cutting
Jump cuts are a technique where the camera stays in a stationary position but the action/scene jumps forward in time, still in the same location though. Jump cuts typically jar the scene but are used for that very effect.
This scene in Spiderman 1 use the jump cut technique to mock Peter Parker. At (1:45) we see the camera in a low angled extreme close up, to which Peters hand cuts in and out trying different hand gestures to produce a web. The technique used is used in this instance for audience to laugh at him trying all these weird movements. The audience are allowed to laugh at his many attempts at creating at web. For the audience it typically allows them to only watch the more important parts of the scene. But in this instance it creates the humor by showing every attempt and amount of time he spends. This is typical the opposite of a more conventional jump cut as they do aim to move time forward.
This scene in Spiderman 1 use the jump cut technique to mock Peter Parker. At (1:45) we see the camera in a low angled extreme close up, to which Peters hand cuts in and out trying different hand gestures to produce a web. The technique used is used in this instance for audience to laugh at him trying all these weird movements. The audience are allowed to laugh at his many attempts at creating at web. For the audience it typically allows them to only watch the more important parts of the scene. But in this instance it creates the humor by showing every attempt and amount of time he spends. This is typical the opposite of a more conventional jump cut as they do aim to move time forward.
I used this technique very early on last year creating short videos expliclty showing the technique. Whilst this video is not the most precise expression of the technique it does still emulate the overall meaning of a Jump-Cut. Some of the cuts in this scene are very good however the timing of the cut is very key, its not conventional to dwell on a shot too long but equally cutting to scene can create a more dramatic jarr.
180 Degree rule
The 180 degree rule is simply the camera staying on one side of two people who are opposite each other in conversation. The only time the camera can move on to the other side is if it tracks behind a character as they continue their conversation.Perhaps whats different in this case is the fact that there is no cut. As the action moves the camera constantly follows, so the distinctiveness of the 180 degree rule is very blurred. At (0:04) the scene denotes a close up of the character as she talks to Micheal Keaton, the camera slowly tracks out and round bring Micheal into frame. The camera then lingers in a two shot, and finally swoops round to the left to see Micheals full face. The 180 degree rule is deployed here as we only stay on one side of the characters during their conversation. What perhaps is more unique is at (0:30) the camera comes back to a more central position to allow Micheal to walk in front, which in turn allows for another angle/side for the camera to stay on. From an audience perspective the main purpose of the 180 degree rule is for the audience not to get confused during the scene. It allows the scene to look more natural, so that the audience dont have to think to much whilst watching the scene.
In my own experiences i have used the 180 degree rule when i filmed the, 'Top 10 tips for interviews' at (0:18) the camera starts on one character and pans right to frame another character, becoming a 2 shot. Further on in the scene we cut to one side of the employer (0:24) and continue to stay on that side throughout the scene. Whilst we perhaps needed more camera movement in the scene to show we stay on that one side, it does show an understanding of the rule.
Splicing/Transitions
Splicing is simply anywhere there is a cut in the medium. Any transition eg, cut, fade, dissolve is a form of splicing. A transition though is the movement from one shot to the next it can be any type of transition but typically it is a cut.
Any film scene could have been an example of splicing, much like this scene in Interstellar throughout, the camera cuts which are all examples of the splicing technique. At (0:14) we see Coop turn off the engines and tell the others to be efficient with this rescue mission as they dont have much time, the camera then cuts to the other characters who prepare to leave. This of course is an example of a cut which is splicing. Splicing is simply a way for scene to move on and get to another point, a cut can create a certain emotional tone depending on the pace of them. In terms of fades and dissolves they are used more subtly and act as a more calming transition for the audience.
Of course through my work i have cut and spliced mediums, during this film which is of 2 people showing off their skills, at (0:45) we see a cut and then someone trying to hit the crossbar. Making a cut whether its in a film scene or more of a highlight reel, whilst it is easy, i still needed to think about why im cutting now and what purpose does the shot have. It perhaps is harder to explain why we use a shot and what the cut does to the emotion of importance of the shot.
Cutaways
Most cutaways effectively are a filler shot, they are used so that they can edit certain parts of a conversation or interview and move time forward without the viewer noticing. However cutaways may also be for emotional purposes as they can carry meaning and direct the audience in how to feel at the time.
During this contestants performance we see multiple cutaways to the judges reactions. At (1:41) we see the first cutaway which denotes Amandas and Simons reaction to the start of the performance. They look at each other more anxiously as to whether this performance will be good or bad. Further into the performance we see another cutaway at (1:55) this time its David and Simons reactions as they laugh from the performance. This cutaway though reassures the audience that the performance is good and we can laugh with him rather then at him. Furthermore at (2:25) the cutaway again features Amanda, as she is more surprised and excited by the performance she is watching. The use of cutaways allows the programme to structure the audiences emotions, we start with some anxious cutaways to bring the performance on to a knife edge, to which later it becomes a happier ending. These shots to the audience perhaps go more unnoticed, we recognise the emotion of the judges and we might identify with them but perhaps we don't fully understand that they have shaped our emotions as well.
During this contestants performance we see multiple cutaways to the judges reactions. At (1:41) we see the first cutaway which denotes Amandas and Simons reaction to the start of the performance. They look at each other more anxiously as to whether this performance will be good or bad. Further into the performance we see another cutaway at (1:55) this time its David and Simons reactions as they laugh from the performance. This cutaway though reassures the audience that the performance is good and we can laugh with him rather then at him. Furthermore at (2:25) the cutaway again features Amanda, as she is more surprised and excited by the performance she is watching. The use of cutaways allows the programme to structure the audiences emotions, we start with some anxious cutaways to bring the performance on to a knife edge, to which later it becomes a happier ending. These shots to the audience perhaps go more unnoticed, we recognise the emotion of the judges and we might identify with them but perhaps we don't fully understand that they have shaped our emotions as well.
Point of View shot
A point of view shot or POV shot, is where the camera takes the position of the character, we look at the scene from their perspective. Typically these shots last longer to add a more dramatised effect.
During this scene in the Big Bang Theory we see the use of the point of view shot multiple times, at (1:02) we see the first use of a POV shot as Raj looks to the other characters on advice as to what to say on the phone. This technique is used throughout the scene, this adds a more melodramatic humour to the scene as we become Raj. At (1:20) we see the technique used again but this time for a much longer time (10 seconds), the other characters deliberate much longer about what Raj should say next. This in turn allows the audience to laugh more bout the whole situation and keeps them more immersed in the scene. In this instance the POV shots are used for a comedic effect, whilst this shot is more rare to see in TV that in itself allows for the scene to feel more fresh and less repeated.
During this scene in the Big Bang Theory we see the use of the point of view shot multiple times, at (1:02) we see the first use of a POV shot as Raj looks to the other characters on advice as to what to say on the phone. This technique is used throughout the scene, this adds a more melodramatic humour to the scene as we become Raj. At (1:20) we see the technique used again but this time for a much longer time (10 seconds), the other characters deliberate much longer about what Raj should say next. This in turn allows the audience to laugh more bout the whole situation and keeps them more immersed in the scene. In this instance the POV shots are used for a comedic effect, whilst this shot is more rare to see in TV that in itself allows for the scene to feel more fresh and less repeated.
Shot-Reverse-Shot
Shot-reverse-shot is where the camera starts on one character cuts to the other character then back to the first character. This technique would typically happen in a conversation, and generally only happen in a midshot to close up.
During this scene in Spiderman, we see a shot-reverse-shot being used when Norman osborn talks to the Green Goblin. At (1:25) we see the conversation take place with a mirror as they talk about the board members being killed. What is more memorable about this technique being used in this scene is the mirror, one character is playing 2 roles. Of course this has been done before, but it creates a confusion surrounding this scene, as the green goblin character is trying to take over there is a struggle within the character. Whilst the aim of a shot reverse shot is to not jar the audience because it mimics how we really follow a conversation, this scene perhaps intentionally jars the audience. The scene wants the audience to be confused, it creates an anxiety surrounding the character as we ultimately know the Green Goblin will take over.
Last year I learnt how to use this technique by creating a short film all based around a shot -reverse shot. At (0:10) we see me asking about what happened last night, the camera then cuts to another character at (0:11) explaining what did happen, to which it then cuts back to me remembering and talking about the night before. This technique was a lot easier to learn and do, because it is an easy camera set up, but i did learn that it can make a scene relatively easy to shoot.
During this scene in Spiderman, we see a shot-reverse-shot being used when Norman osborn talks to the Green Goblin. At (1:25) we see the conversation take place with a mirror as they talk about the board members being killed. What is more memorable about this technique being used in this scene is the mirror, one character is playing 2 roles. Of course this has been done before, but it creates a confusion surrounding this scene, as the green goblin character is trying to take over there is a struggle within the character. Whilst the aim of a shot reverse shot is to not jar the audience because it mimics how we really follow a conversation, this scene perhaps intentionally jars the audience. The scene wants the audience to be confused, it creates an anxiety surrounding the character as we ultimately know the Green Goblin will take over.
Last year I learnt how to use this technique by creating a short film all based around a shot -reverse shot. At (0:10) we see me asking about what happened last night, the camera then cuts to another character at (0:11) explaining what did happen, to which it then cuts back to me remembering and talking about the night before. This technique was a lot easier to learn and do, because it is an easy camera set up, but i did learn that it can make a scene relatively easy to shoot.
Providing & Withholding information
Providing information means that the audience know some information that a character does not, this typically sets up another scene for when a character is told the information that we already know to see their reaction. Moreover, withholding information happens when the character in the scene knows more then the audience do, we are left in the dark until it is revealed to us. This typically happens in a scene of great importance as it is surrounded by suspense.During the film Kidulthood we see an example of providing information being used at (13:55) this is where the character finds out she is pregnant but the father does not know yet, from the music that plays over the top the main lyric is, 'positive' which provides the information to the viewer that she is positive. From an audience perspective, the providing information technique it creates a moment of reveal. Now that we know she is pregnant but the father doesn't sets up another scene where it will be revealed to him. This in turn creates an increase in tension and anxiety as the audience and the character both wait for the scene to tell him.
Though, in this scene from Now You See Me 2 we see the withholding information technique being used, as at (1:26) Jesse Eisenberg is performing a street trick, whereby he makes the rain stop and then move it up defying gravity. The technique is shown at (4:15) as he reveals how the trick happened to the audience in the film and to us the viewer. This technique much like providing information typically is used to create tension, but in this scene it more creates excitement. Much of the time we don't get to see how the trick happens but in this instance we are perhaps more appreciative that they showed us.
Editing Rhythm
Editing rhythms are a deliberate change in pace of the scene, the scene may speed up rapidly perhaps if drugs have just been taken or they may choose to slow the scene down almost in a slow motion, because there is a struggle that a character is going through. This technique is used to really create atmosphere and emotion in the scene.Requiem for a dream is a film based on drugs, the film uses a certain editing rhythm to add to the feel of some of the scenes. At (0:55) the scene denotes, both characters laughing, and acting very slow, because they have just taking drugs. The camera slowly zooms out and into a fade as the characters continue to laugh in their high. The use of this technique allows for the scene to be enhanced, and allow the audience to feel they have almost taken the drug as well, because we can really understand what it feels like. Whats different about this film is the process of taking a drug, at (l;46) we see this montage scene which shows all the elements of taking a drug, which ends with the pupils dilating. The montage though is very fast with quick, loud sound effects, it would seem a more deliberate choice to add a fast paced effect, to again enhance the scene and allow the audience to feel more engrossed in whats happening.
Parallel editing/Crosscutting
Crosscutting happens where 2 scenes are happening simultaneously, and we cut between both scenes. This technique is used to show the audience that both things are happening at the same time and usually create a lot of suspense and excitement during the 2 scenes. Through this part of the Dark knight we see crosscutting being used, to exhibit how both scenes are happening at the same time and who the mob is going to get next. At (0:19) we see Harvey Dent and Rachel at a party, talking by themselves. The scene then cross cuts at (0:30) to show Lt. James Gordon in his office talking about how to stop the mob from killing the Commissioner. Perhaps whats unique about the technique used here is that there are not 2 scenes simultaneously happening but rather there are 3. At (0:08) we see the Judge being escorted to her car and told to drive to an unknown location in the envelope. Crosscutting allows a relationship to be established between the scenes, in this instance it is the characters that are all threatened by the mob that are being moved. For the audience it allows for tension to build, they feel more immersed, and increasingly feel anxious for the characters. The technique used here allows for the big climatic ending to happen.
Cutting to Soundtrack
Cutting to a soundtrack or cutting to a beat, is where the visuals are cut on a beat of the music continuously throughout. They are specific structured cuts that will happen every time on the beat.
During Logic's All i do, we see the technique used throughout the whole music video. At (0:54) which denotes the technique being used in a more conventional way, as the location constantly changes through a cut on the multiple beats. The locations we see would be the party, bedroom & park. However, at (1:31) we see the technique used more differently, here we see the cut on the beats, but also there are multiple cuts on the piano as well. Perhaps the music video did not have a big budget and throughout the use of this technique they have been able to keep the music video more lively and keep the audience more engaged. The whole music video only contains a few locations, so cutting to the beat was an effective way of creating and keeping the excitement a constant through the whole music video. Furthermore, the technique enables the flow of the song to be enhanced, which for the most part carries a more calm, chilled vibe, of course during the verses the flows tempo increases, which is replicated in the number of cuts used.
During my music video i too learned and used this technique throughout. At (0:31) the character walks up the stairs as we cut from behind her to in front of her and then cut to her hand dragging behind. Whilst our music video was more of a simple idea, the success of it depended on the style we created. This included the use of this technique, which whilst at first seemed challenging we did manage to find success although very time consuming. At (0:58) which is on the second verse, i felt that this was a more clear representation of the technique being used. Much like Logic's music video we didnt have a big budget to work with so we needed to make the most of every location and we felt that this technique continued the style that we wanted.
During Logic's All i do, we see the technique used throughout the whole music video. At (0:54) which denotes the technique being used in a more conventional way, as the location constantly changes through a cut on the multiple beats. The locations we see would be the party, bedroom & park. However, at (1:31) we see the technique used more differently, here we see the cut on the beats, but also there are multiple cuts on the piano as well. Perhaps the music video did not have a big budget and throughout the use of this technique they have been able to keep the music video more lively and keep the audience more engaged. The whole music video only contains a few locations, so cutting to the beat was an effective way of creating and keeping the excitement a constant through the whole music video. Furthermore, the technique enables the flow of the song to be enhanced, which for the most part carries a more calm, chilled vibe, of course during the verses the flows tempo increases, which is replicated in the number of cuts used.
During my music video i too learned and used this technique throughout. At (0:31) the character walks up the stairs as we cut from behind her to in front of her and then cut to her hand dragging behind. Whilst our music video was more of a simple idea, the success of it depended on the style we created. This included the use of this technique, which whilst at first seemed challenging we did manage to find success although very time consuming. At (0:58) which is on the second verse, i felt that this was a more clear representation of the technique being used. Much like Logic's music video we didnt have a big budget to work with so we needed to make the most of every location and we felt that this technique continued the style that we wanted.
