Editing: a worksheet

1. What does editing do? Editing creates different affects and timings within a film.

2. How does it work? Editing is when a film editor has lots of material that will include different shots from different scenes and will have to select the best ones and combined them to make each scene.

3. Describe each of the following editing terms:

·                Cut-This is where one shot is suddenly replaced by a different shot.

·                Dissolve-The dissolve shot shows one shot fade out while another shot fades in.

·                Fade-Normally fades to a black screen or a different scene.

·                Jump cut-Where two shots of the same object are taken but are slightly different in variation.  

4. How does the shot reverse shot help the narrative or generate meaning? The shot reverse shot is useful because it shows which character is saying what and how the relationship is between the characters. This type of shot shows the action and reaction of each character.

5. Why is the 180 degree rule important? This rule suggests that shooting has to be taken place on the same side each time of both of the characters. If this rule is broken it gives the impression that the characters position in the scene has been reversed. 

6. How and why is the point of view shot used? A camera shot where the viewer is looking through the eyes of a specific character.

7. How else can the pov be generated? Sometimes the point of view shot can be taken over the actors shoulder by a third person.
              

8. What is parallel or cross cut editing? Parallel editing (cross cutting) is the technique of alternating two or more scenes that often happen simultaneously but in different locations.

9. What editing techniques are used to generate suspense? Cross cutting.

10. Explain in your own words how the mouse sequence creates tension. 

11. Why is timing important in editing? Timing is important in editing because when you are putting the materials you have in an order, you don’t want a scene or affect on the screen for any longer than it needs to be.

12. Explain in your own words what the continuity system is? The continuity system is an editing system which is used to ‘match’ different shots in order to maintain continuous and clear action within a film. It is used to make sure that editing is made to be ‘invisible’.

13. Why does editing strive to be invisible? Editors want to make their editing stages seem invisible because other editing techniques like the jump cut may cause confusion to the viewer about the scenes. Editing also strives to be invisible so the viewer doesn’t notice that there is a change in the editing which will make the film flow from scene to scene.