Revision Analysing TV Drama: Editing
Information on how to analyse editing in clips15/04/13
MWE
Editing
When analysing editing there are categories in which are part of it, features which we must look at in a clip. They are:- Order of shots
- Continuity
- Transition
- Shot duration/ Rythm and Pace
- Special Effects
Order of shots
- The sequences in which the shots are put in affects the meaning of the clip.
- The sequence can either cause continuity or a juxatposition
As explained in the video above, when the middle clip between the start and editing is changed the whole meaning of the clip takes a whole different turn. For instance:
Fisrt clip:
First shot: A girl looking at something
Second shot: A group of people sat on the ground having a picnic, they notice her and they wave
Third shot: The shot returns to the girl's face breaks into a grin
This sequence of shots implies that the girl is lovely and is looking for her friends to spend her afternoon with. She's happy to see her friends.
However if we change the second shot, it takes a whole new different meaning...
Second clip:
First shot: A girl looking at something
Second shot: A group of teenagers are crowding over a another girl and harrassing her
Third shot: The shot returns to the girl's face which breaks into a grin
The second sequence connotes the idea that the focused character is quite unpleasant as we see that she enjoys another person's sorrow- from the second shot. Majority of the sequence stays the same, it is only the middle clip which has change yet the whole sequence take a whole different turn
The order of the clip also shows which character motivates the editing
Who does the conversation begins and ends with?
Who do we see the most in the sequence?
Whose eye line does the video match?
From the extract above and by answering the following questions, we can tell that Chandler is the motivation of the edit. This is because, to start with: we see him engage into the conversation and the duration of the clips of him are longer than the employers, he has a longer screen time. The eye line matches both Chandlers and the employers to emphasise that they're in a conversation, though the employers point of view is used the most to show the focus is on Chandler -determining that he's the motivation of edit, allowing him to have the most screen time. He's the most important character in the narration at this sequence.
Continuity
Continuity editing is designed to be undetected by the audience, to avoid disruption of the narrative and to make the flow of the story fluent. It's function:
- To provide a smooth cut from shot to another to continue the narrative
- Fluency to create realism, avoiding the feeling of construction in films
- Cutting of the shots are purposeful- to proceed with narrative
There are many techniques to do continuity editing:
- Establishing shot
Often used to intrduce a new setting for audience, a foundation of where the narrative is set
- Match-on-action
This is used to show continuation of an action
- 180 degree rule
The 180 degree rule is used to help establish the postion of the characters, it helps oreientate the audience, it's when an imaginary 180 degree axis is drawn between the two focus and the camera is to stay in only one axis. Sudden switch of axis can cause disorientation for the audience. To switch side, the camera must show movement of changing side.
- Shot-reverse-shot
- Eyeline match
Starting from 0:31 onwards
Shot-reverse-shot is often used to show interaction between two characters, like Katniss and Peeta above
Seen at 0:22 the eyeline match is designed to allow the audience to see what the protagonist is seeing
Non-Continuity
Montage- a collection of short shots, used to compress a series of information
- Construction is much more obvious and breaks continuity. The meaning is often to juxtapose and metaphor shots are inserted
Transition
Transition is the process used to move from one clip to another, the most common type of transition is straight cut. Though there are other types of transitions such as:
- Fade to black- A shot ading into black followed by another
- Wipe
- Cross fade/ dissolve - When two shot are superimposed, overlaying one another. The longer the dissole the noticable the superimposition is
Transitions not only allows moving from one shot to another but also has different effect:
- Can imply passage of time
- Can imply change of location
- Emphasising connection
- What the character is thinking about
- Flashback
- Reminiscing
Shot duration/Pace and Rythm
Shot duration depends on the narrative context- Shot-reverse-shot implies urgency
- Long shot duration creates slower pace and intensity and intimacy in the narration- allowing audience to see facial expressions and mis-en-scene
The following extract from a "Cinderella Story uses long shot durations in combination with different camera shots such as pan. This is then accompanied by diegetic sound of the violin, the music played is soft and light. On top of this, the misc-en-scene and the costumes further creates this romantic atmosphere. The long duration of the shots really emphasises the intimacy between the dancing couple.
Special Effects
Special effects are used to help manipulate the misc-en-scene, this is often used in Sci-fi film and fantasy.
Editing controls information, what we get and when
When analysing a clip it's also useful to consider how editing techniques are used to control what is revealed tot he audience and the characters
For example, If as audience we know more of what is happening than the character. Then perhaps the clip is trying to provoke reaction- anxiety, tension, anticipation that something bad is going to happen
- Editing is used to build up suspense for the audience
Like that. Ouch.
More editing devices
- Ellipsis- to show advancement of time
- Parallel editing- intercutting between different locations (scenes) to show two events happening simultaeneously which builds tension
- Split screen- the frame is split into two, this is to show two scenes happening as the same time
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