Continuity editing is a system of cutting used to maintain
continuous and clear narrative action by following a set of rules. The set of
rules are: Establishing shot, shot/reverse shot, 180º rule, 30º rule, eyeline
match and re-establishing shot. Using the rule allows the narrative to have
structure, the shot sequence to flow seamlessly into each other and it makes
the movie easier to watch. However non-continuity editing is when shots are
mismatched to disrupt the impression of time and space.
I am going to evaluate a selection of clips to identify
their specific editing techniques.
Within the first clip parallel editing is used which is where
too separate scenes that may or may not share the same timeframe to draw
parallels between them and thereby creating meaning. This is done to build
suspense and tension within the movie because it is using continuity editing to
follow the action of the female drifting away and the male trying everything he
can to try and save her. The purpose of the movie building tension and suspense
for the audience is because it is using a technique called shot reverse shot
where it cuts between both of the characters to show how one is in danger
drifting away and the other is running into the danger to save her. This makes
the audience sympathies for the characters within the movie because they mean a
lot to each other if the male is running into danger to save the female
drifting away therefore they will continue to watch the movie to see how the
situation turns to because the movie has gained their interest. Overall the
editing within this scene is effective upon the audience because of the
techniques used it allows the audience to feel engaged in what’s happening and
have sympathy/worry for the characters in the scene because of the tension and
suspense that has been built up.
Within the second clip parallel editing is used
(cross-cutting) is the technique of continuously alternating two or more scenes
that often happen simultaneously but in different locations. The reason this
form of editing is used is to join together the two opposite forces within the
movie and create tension and suspense. Because this scene misguides the
audience by making them believe the FBI are at Buffalo Bill’s house and they
are about to capture him. This would excite the audience and make them feel
like they are on the edge of their seat because the bad guy id about to be
caught. The pace of the editing also changes from each shot for example when
there are shots with the bad guy in they are a lot more rapid with fast
movement however when there are shots with the FBI in the shots are a lot
longer and less rushed about it shows how they are be extremely careful and
organized. However, this shows the bad guy is mad, angry and stressed because
of the rapid edits and the characters fast movements compared to the FBIs. The
parallel editing that is continuously used is extremely effective in misleading
the audience for example when the flower man rings the door bell and then the
camera cuts to the bad guys house where an alarm is going off these aren’t
occurring at the same place or maybe not even the same time but because of the
editing it misleads the audience and makes them believe the bad guy is about to
be caught. An establishing shot is used at the beginning of the clip to show
the audience where the scene is taking place/ where they want to you to think
it is taking place. Also, at 2:04 there is a OTS (over the shoulder) shot of
the bad guy to show you wat he is seeing and also make the audience shocked
because when he opens the door it’s a different person to who rang the doorbell
and it allows them to realize they are now at a different unknown location.
Within the third clip a montage is used to show a large
amount of time in a small-time frame. This is done to show how people are
reacting to the situation they are in and the reason it shows multiple people’s
reactions is because the editor wants to show the audience show devastating and
how scared the characters are within the movie, and this is done in an attempt
to make the audience engaged in what’s happening in the movie and for them to
have emotion towards the characters who are running in fear, tripping over
themselves and other people. A shot reverse shot is used within this clip to
show how the small child got shot and then the camera cut to show his mother’s
reaction and then it cut back to the child dying, this is done to emphasis how
traumatic and scared everyone is running away from being shot. This technique
is effective because it is used to make the audience have sympathy for the
mother and her child that just died. This could engage the audience more into
the movie and engage them to see how the mother deals with the death of her
child. The montage is fairly effective because it shows the audience the
situation the characters are in and how busy everything is, by showing shots of
hundreds of people running down the stairs and people being stood on. Also
because of the several separate shots that are put into the montage it shows
different things that are all happening at once and this can speed up time.
This overall makes the audience worry for the safety of the children and
elderly which allows them to connect more with the characters within the movie
and this means they will gain more of an interest in the movie.
Within the fourth clip a montage is used to show a large
period of time in a short amount of space. And this is done to pass time within
the movie but also inform the audience of what the character has had to go
through to become a better boxer which is his ultimate goal. There is a variety
of medium close ups, long shots and medium shots to show just how hard he has
had to train and as the montage goes on it shows the audience just how much he
has improved from the begging of the montage to the end. The variety of shots
also allows the audience to stay engaged within the montage and be interested
in what stage he is at now because of all the progress they have seen. The
montage is very effective because it shows the audience just how much work the
character has had to do to be at the point he is at now and the dedication he
has. It shows it very well, a large amount of time in a short period of space
whilst still keeping the audience informed and interested.
Within this clip there is a montage and the purpose of it is
to show a large period of time in a short amount of space and they are mainly
used to control time within a movie and still inform the audience. The montage
used is a collection of parody montages from other famous montages and this
could interest the audience because they are basically mocking the other
montages and the audience will find it funny and interesting in how they do it.
The music used within the montage also mocks training montages and this will
also assist the montage in interesting the audience. This is used effectively because
it uses montages the audience are familiar with to engage them into enjoying the
parody montage and it also creates a connection between the audience and the
clip as it shows them familiar scenes they have seen before. A variety of shots
are used such as medium shots, zoom ins, zoom outs, long shots and close ups,
these are used to keep the montage flowing and interesting whilst also showing
the change in time by showing different shots because if all the shots were
still and the same then it would be difficult to show a change in time. However,
the movement and variety of shots makes the montage more effective and believed
that time has been increased in a small space of time.
I personally believe clip 4 has a more effective montage
than clip 5 because clip 4 shows more of a variety of shots and shows key
information the audience need to know to help them understand the story better
and clip 5 mocks training montages but they still don’t do it as effective as
clip 5. The reason I don’t believe they were as effective is because the montage
felt rushed and unorganized compared to clip 4 where all the clips run smoothly
together and helps the audience take in the information more efficiently.
Overall clip 4 was more effective because of the smooth transitions and
clear/clean shots, also the non-diegetic sound used also helps excite the audience
because the music used was very upbeat and is now iconic which supports how
effective that montage is.
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