Editing Techniques

Question 1

What is a cut?

Answer 1

A change from one shot to another

Question 2

Why do editors use cuts?

Answer 2

-To keep up the pace of the film
-To show a different angle

Question 3

What is a shot/reverse shot?

Answer 3

When an editor cuts back and forth from one person’s face to another whilst they are interacting

Question 4

Why do editors use shot/reverse shots?

Answer 4

-To show conversations and interactions
-Can connote that characters are separate/different

Question 5

What is an eyeline match shot?

Answer 5

Shows a character looking at something and then what they are looking at

Question 6

Why would an editor use an eyeline match shot?

Answer 6

-Clearly shows what or who a character is looking at
-Puts us in the characters shoes and engages the audience

Question 7

What is a graphic match shot?

Answer 7

Cuts from one shot to another that looks visually similar

Question 8

Why would an editor use a graphic match shot?

Answer 8

-To create a smooth transition between scenes
-To show similarities between places/things/people and link them together

Question 9

What is an action match shot?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Why would an editor use an action match shot?

Answer 10

-To keep an audience engaged and interested
-To add realism/ a natural feeling

Question 11

What is a jump cut?

Answer 11

Part of a shot is cut out but another shot is not used to cover this edit. Makes the shot like jagged and jumpy.

Question 12

Why would an editor use a jump cut?

Answer 12

-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

Question 13

Give an example of a jump cut

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What is cross cutting?

Answer 14

Cutting from one scene in one location to another scene in a different location

Question 15

Why would an editor use cross cutting?

Answer 15

-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

Question 16

Give an example of cross cutting

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

What is a dissolve transition?

Answer 17

When two shots are blended together for a moment whilst transitioning

Question 18

Why would an editor use a dissolve transition?

Answer 18

-To link two scenes together
-To show time has passed

Question 19

What is a long shot?

Answer 19

When a shot is left playing on the screen for a long time without cutting away to something else

Question 20

Why would an editor use a long shot?

Answer 20

-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

Question 21

Give an example of a long shot

Question 22

What are short takes?

Answer 22

When shots are only on screen for a short amount of time before cutting away to something else

Question 23

Why would an editor use short takes?

Answer 23

-Makes a scene fast paced and exciting
-Makes a scene dramatic and creates a sense of urgency and chaos

Question 24

Give an example of short takes

Answer 24

Psycho - The shower scene in psycho where Marion is stabbed to death by Bates uses short takes to show aggression, chaos and panic

Question 25

What is slow motion?

Answer 25

When a shot or scene has been slowed down

Question 26

Why would an editor use slow motion?

Answer 26

-To make a scene dramatic
-To show how fast something is moving
-To draw attention to small details

Question 27

Give an example of slow motion.

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

What is a split screen shot?

Answer 28

Two or more scenes are played beside eachother at the same time

Question 29

Why might an editor use a split screen shot?

Answer 29

-Suggest two scenes are happening at the same time
-Links people/places/things together
-Something used for comedic effect

Question 30

Give an example of a split screen shot

Answer 30

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

Question 31

What is a insert shot?

Answer 31

An insert is a shot of part of a scene as filmed from a different angle and / or focal length from the master shot.

Question 32

What is ellipsis?

Answer 32

Ellipsis is the omission of action whose importance to the narrative can be inferred from action.

Question 33

What is a master shot?

Answer 33

A master shot is a long shot that captures all or most of the action in a scene.

Question 34

What is an ellipsis shot?

Answer 34

The omission of an action in a shot, it’s importance can be inferred from action