The Power of Editing

Objective:To develop our understanding of what

editing and narrative are and how they are used

WHAT IS EDITING?WHAT IS NARRATIVE?

Watch this clip from Morgan Spurlock’s ‘Supersize Me’.

Question: What do you see?

We think we see...

Spurlock eating a McDonalds meal and then throw up.

However, we don’t see that at all. We see him take a few bites, make vomiting sounds out of the window and then we see what looks like vomit on the floor.

Ellipses

In this scene, the editor has used ellipses to make the audience “fill in the blanks”.

Write down a summary of how ellipses works in this scene.

Narrative

Editing constructs a narrative out of footage.

Watch the following clip from Screenwipe to see how this could apply to reality TV.

What is narrative?

Create your own narrative theory. 1. Give your theory a name2. Write down what you think every narrative

needs. What is the difference between a narrative and events?

Key theorists

Todorov Sydfield Propp

1. Equilibrium – a balanced/settled state of affairs

2 Disruption – an event happens to upset the equilibrium

3. Recognition of the Disruption – the protagonist must realise that their live has been disrupted, this usually results in them setting a goal.

4. Attempts to repair the Disruption – the protagonist has to overcome obstacles to restore order. The harder it is the more entertaining the film is.

5. A new state of Equilibrium the narrative is resolved when a new balanced state of affairs exists.

Modern - used by film makers.

1. The first Act – Set Up ( 30 minutes) The most important, as most movie watchers will decide in 10 minutes whether they like the film or not. Vital that the first 10 mins is good.

2. In the rest of the first 30 mins the audience learn about the nature of the problem facing the hero.

3 The Second Act – Confrontation – The longest Act, we see the main character in a number of extreme problem situations where they confront the enemy.

4 Act Three – Resolution – The hero takes control in the struggles to their problems and achieve a final, decisive victory.

Propp's Character Types Theory – based on fairy tales

Propp’s theory states that there are character types that perform the same function in most narratives:

Hero – who is on the quest

Villain – who opposes the hero

Donor – provides the hero with an object (magical) so that they can complete their quest

Dispatcher – who sends the hero on a mission.

False Hero – who tempts the Hero away from his quest

Helper – who helps the hero

Princess – who needs protecting and saving by the hero. Is often the reward for the hero

Put this to the test...

In your groups, think of a few examples which support one of these narrative theories.

More importantly, can you think of any texts which do not follow these rules.

Review

Look back on your description of editing and narrative, which you completed at the start of the lesson.

What can you now add?