Putting it all together

Editing

Editing

Shot: the basic unit of film (one or more frames in a series on a continuous length of film stock) Editing: the

coordination of one shot with another

Four Basic Types of Relationship Between Shots

GraphicRhythmicSpatialTemporal

Graphic

Patterns of • light and dark

• line and shape

• volume and depth

• movement and stasis Create

• graphic match

• graphic clash

Rhythmic

Variation of physical length of shot:• Relatively similar lengths (steady rhythm)

• Relatively shorter lengths (accelerating rhythm)

• Relatively longer lengths (slowing rhythm)

• Long takes (rhythm supplied by camera)

Music accentuates rhythmic editing

Spatial

Conventional scene:• Establishing shot

• Shots breaking that into shorter units

• New establishing shot, and so on Editing constructs spatial relationships

where none exists in reality Parallel editing allows shots from two or

more different locales to be juxtaposed for thematic or dramatic reasons

Temporal

Conventionally, stories are told chronologically, with occasional flashbacks or flash forwards

Within that framework, editing allows ellipsis (shortening the action from real time) and expansion (prolonging the action through overlapping editing or repetition)

Classic Hollywood Style: Continuity Editing

Graphic elements kept roughly similar within a scene

Rhythm usually dependent on camera distance Spatial continuity within ‘axis of action’

• 180 degree rule controls• Establishing shot

• Shot counter shot

• Eyeline matches

• Match on action

Temporal continuity usually appears continuous, but regularly elides action