Editing blog tasks

There are three key words we need to learn for editing.  

Transitions

Cut (Straight cut, jump cut, match cut): Shot changes from one to another – the most common cut.

Dissolve: Shot melts into another – often shows passing of time.

Fade: Shot fades away and another shot appears. Fades to black often signify endings (of the day, scene or film)

Pace

The speed at which the film cuts from one shot to the next makes a huge difference to the experience for the audience. Generally, slow cuts build tension while fast cuts suggest action and excitement.


Juxtaposition
The word juxtaposition literally means ‘the act of placing together side by side’. In editing, this is called Parallel Editing. 

In film, two shots may be placed together to create meaning for the audience. E.g. A shot of the hero may be followed by a shot of his love interest to link these in the audience’s mind.

Here's a great video introducing a range of cuts and transitions:

Editing: blog tasks

Create a blogpost called 'Editing analysis'.

We're going to re-use the clip from Doctor Who to write our editing analysis:

Blog tasks:

1) Watch the first minute of the clip. How many times does it cut? (This is when the shot changes - the first cut in the scene is after 9 seconds).

2) How does the pace (speed) of cuts change between 1 minute and 1.30?

3) Why is the scene emotional for the audience to watch?

Extension tasks

4) How is juxtaposition (two shots placed next to each other) used at 1.58 to create meaning for the audience? 

5) What do you think is the most important shot in this scene and why?