1. Lesson 4: Editing
Professor Aaron Baker

2. Previous Lecture Mise-en-Scene
Narrative Function in Smoke Signals (1998)

3. This Lecture
Editing
Continuity and Discontinuity in
The Limey (1999)

4. Part I: Editing

5. Editing Coordinating One Shot with Next Most Analyzed Aspect Film Form
First Films Just One Shot
Now Hollywood Films 1-3 K
Edison's film entitled The Kiss saw May Irwin and John C. Rice re-enact the final scene from the Broadway play musical The Widow Jones - it was a close-up of a kiss.

6. Ways to Edit In-Camera Storyboarding Editing Table Now Computerized
Final Cut Back on Negative

7. Shot Relations Four Principles by Which to Connect Shots:
Graphic - Composition
Rhythmic - Length
Spatial - Build Space
Temporal Relations - Define Time

8. Graphic Editing
Continuity
Contrast
Pictorial Content
Movement/Stasis

9. Rhythmic Temporal Length of Shot Long Shots – contemplative
Short Shots – energy
ASL in Hollywood Now: Few Seconds

10. Spatial Relations Editing Can Create Story Space
Spaces Juxtaposed to Suggest Contiguous

11. Crosscutting Parallel Editing
We See Simultaneous Actions in Different Spaces
Spaces Linked
Cause and Effect Relationship
Between Actions in Two Places

12. Crosscutting (continued)
Unrestricted Range of Knowledge
Please watch the clip to see e.g. of crosscutting in Syriana (2005).

13. Four Spaces Paralleled
Editing Here Connects Four Spaces:
Convoy
CIA
Oil Execs at Banquet
Clooney Character

14. Editing and Time Controls Time of Story
Supports Plot’s Manipulation of Story
Determines Order, Duration,
Frequency of Story Actions

15. Part II: Continuity and Discontinuity Editing in The Limey

16. Order Usually Chronological Flashbacks Flashforwards
Please watch a clip from The Limey.
Back and Forth in Conversation, Plane, Gun, Warehouse

17. Memory Present Tense: Wilson in LA for Revenge
Flashbacks to Memories: Plane, Jenny as Girl, When She Confronted Drug Smugglers
His Motivation

18. Revenge Flashforwards Show What Wilson Wants Hint at Why Won’t Satisfy
Violent Future Can’t Change Past Failed Relationship

19. E.g. Editing Often Elliptical
Events Shown With Less Screen Time Than in Story
Less Important
Events Omitted By
Plot

20. Overlapping Editing Repeating an Action to Expand Story Time
Lends Emphasis
Please watch a clip from Do the Right Thing (1989)
Important Action: Can Hits Window Twice

21. Continuity Editing Dominant in Hollywood Film
Certain Rhythms: Long Shots Longer than Close Ups
Main Objective: Clear Space and Time to Tell Story

22. Continuity Transitions
Move Story Forward, Demphasize Editing:
180 Degree Rule
Match on Action
Eyeline Match
Shot/Reverse Shot

23. Other Transitions Fade out/in Dissolve Time Passing Wipe Iris
Straight Cut
Still Aide Story Less Invisible

24. More Continuity Devices
Establishing Shot – Whole Narrative Space
Breakdown (Coverage) – Closer Views
Restablishment Shot – New Character, Action

25. Such Analytical Cutting
Directs Our Attention
Emphasizes Dialogue, Reaction,
Cause and Effect
Create Narrative Continuity

26. The Limey
Please watch a clip from The Limey that illustrates analytical editing.
In this scene, Wilson hunts Valentine down in his Big Sur house.

27. Establishing Shot Of driveway Followed by closer shots in house
Gunfight
Restablishing shots as Valentine escapes house, Wilson follows

28. Intensified Continuity
Classical Continuity Style
Shots
Now 1-3 K
New Continuity to Match New Pace

29. Contemporary Editing More Close Ups (CUs)
Closer Framing Easier to Understand When Shots are Short
Mobile Camera

30. 1960- Present Films Seen on TV
Faster Editing, Moving Camera Energize Smaller Image
Holds Viewer Attention in Era of Distraction
CUs Present More on Smaller Screen

31. Discontinuity Editing
Connections Not Obvious, Invisible
Viewer Interprets
Assigns Temporal,
Spatial, Causal
Relations
Between Shots

32. Discontinuity Devices
Jump Cut:
Transition from one shot to next “jumps” on screen
Makes viewer aware of editing
What is filmmaker presenting in these shots?

33. Discontinuity in The Limey
Please rewatch the first part of the clip we saw earlier from The Limey.
Jump Cuts as Eduardo and Wilson Talk

34. Discussion Questions Why these jump cuts?
Asking Us to Evaluate Characters?
Post a response on the eBoard to these questions and the comment of a colleague.

35. Summary
Editing
Continuity and Discontinuity
The Limey (1999)

36. Next Lecture: Cinematography
End of Lecture 4
Next Lecture: Cinematography