Editing Techniques Flashcards
What is a cut?
A change from one shot to another
Why do editors use cuts?
-To keep up the pace of the film
-To show a different angle
What is a shot/reverse shot?
When an editor cuts back and forth from one person’s face to another whilst they are interacting
Why do editors use shot/reverse shots?
-To show conversations and interactions
-Can connote that characters are separate/different
What is an eyeline match shot?
Shows a character looking at something and then what they are looking at
Why would an editor use an eyeline match shot?
-Clearly shows what or who a character is looking at
-Puts us in the characters shoes and engages the audience
What is a graphic match shot?
Cuts from one shot to another that looks visually similar
Why would an editor use a graphic match shot?
-To create a smooth transition between scenes
-To show similarities between places/things/people and link them together
What is an action match shot?
Cutting from a shot with some kind of movement to another shot of that same action but from a different angle to make it look like one smooth movement
Why would an editor use an action match shot?
-To keep an audience engaged and interested
-To add realism/ a natural feeling
What is a jump cut?
Part of a shot is cut out but another shot is not used to cover this edit. Makes the shot like jagged and jumpy.
Why would an editor use a jump cut?
-Make something seem fast paced
-Make something seem messy and chaotic
-To take away the realism as the audience notices this edit and therefore gets pulled out of the story
Give an example of a jump cut
In Project X, when the boys are filming the party there are jumo cuts to show how chaotic it is and how much is going on
What is cross cutting?
Cutting from one scene in one location to another scene in a different location
Why would an editor use cross cutting?
-Shows scenes are happening at the same time
-Makes scenes look like they are happening in the same place
-Connoted links/similarities between the scenes
-Keeps audience interested by building up tension
Give an example of cross cutting
Silence of the Lambs - Shows the police entering a home and Clarice in the basement of the bad guys home, by cross cutting it makes it seem like the police are entering the home Clarice is in but it’s actually a different house. This builds up tension as it shows Clarice is in danger and not getting saved.
What is a dissolve transition?
When two shots are blended together for a moment whilst transitioning
Why would an editor use a dissolve transition?
-To link two scenes together
-To show time has passed
What is a long shot?
When a shot is left playing on the screen for a long time without cutting away to something else
Why would an editor use a long shot?
-To slow down the place and relax the viewer
-If a shot is kept there for too long it can seem awkward and make the audience feel uncomfortable
Give an example of a long shot
What are short takes?
When shots are only on screen for a short amount of time before cutting away to something else
Why would an editor use short takes?
-Makes a scene fast paced and exciting
-Makes a scene dramatic and creates a sense of urgency and chaos
Give an example of short takes
Psycho - The shower scene in psycho where Marion is stabbed to death by Bates uses short takes to show aggression, chaos and panic
What is slow motion?
When a shot or scene has been slowed down
Why would an editor use slow motion?
-To make a scene dramatic
-To show how fast something is moving
-To draw attention to small details
Give an example of slow motion.
The Flash - There’s a scene where babies are falling out of a collapsing hospital’s window, to show how fast the flash is this is shown in slow motion whilst the flash moves at normal speed.
What is a split screen shot?
Two or more scenes are played beside eachother at the same time
Why might an editor use a split screen shot?
-Suggest two scenes are happening at the same time
-Links people/places/things together
-Something used for comedic effect
Give an example of a split screen shot
Mean Girls - The girls are on a 4 way phone call, the split screen shows that the girls are present and Karen for example doesn’t realise Cady is on the line
What is a insert shot?
An insert is a shot of part of a scene as filmed from a different angle and / or focal length from the master shot.
What is ellipsis?
Ellipsis is the omission of action whose importance to the narrative can be inferred from action.
What is a master shot?
A master shot is a long shot that captures all or most of the action in a scene.
What is an ellipsis shot?
The omission of an action in a shot, it’s importance can be inferred from action
