Editing has changed dramatically over the last 50 years. The only way to edit in the earliest days of video was to literally cut the film and stick it back together to create an edited sequence. I am now going to look at various types of editing and how they have developed over time.
In camera editing:
In camera editing is the process of shooting a sequence in a very specific and strict order to shorten or even avoid the post production editing process.
It is a risky way of editing and can be long winded if a film switches between locations constantly. It is vital to plan out each shot vividly so that no mistakes are made that can damage the process of not having to edit. The sequence must flow in constant chronological order.
In Camera Editing- Alfred Hitchcock's 'Rope'
Here is a famous example of in camera editing used in the 1948 film 'Rope'. Over time in camera editing has slowly decreased in popularity due to the digital age and is now mostly used within new or amateur film makers who maybe do not have the resources or time for editing software.
Following the action:
Following the action editing is the process of following the subject or actors movements with one or two cameras in order to switch angles from time to time. It can be shot in long takes similar to the in camera editing technique however cutting is used to whittle out irrelevant content.
Whenever the subject moves the cameras will be following them. This gives the viewer a more exciting viewing experience as the action is constant and makes a change from one constant angle of filming. Shot variation is important to keep it fresh and exciting for the viewer. A range of shots should be used such as long shots, panning shots and close ups. This method of filming requires little editing therefore it has been a popular method since the beginning of filmmaking when editors did not have computers or reliable software, they could just follow the action by using different angles to make a change from the one constant long take that early filmmakers favoured.
Following the action- Louis Theroux looks at plastic surgery
This clip is a good example of cameras constantly switching angles and panning to follow the dialogue between the two subjects. In the full programme the cameras follow Louis Theroux to various different locations giving a following the action feel to the programme.
Multiple points of view:
Multiple points of view consists of showing points of view or opinions of different people.
It can be taken literal by using the camera to film the world in the point of view of the subject, showing the viewer how one particular person sees the world. Or it can be taken in a more abstract way by filming points of views of various people, these could be opinions on a specific subject like politics, or it can be more broad and set in a reality TV style such as the show Gogglebox. This is a more modern method of filming and editing as over the past 50 years the way people express their opinions have changed. Within the last 20 years or so it has been encouraged for people to have their say on things they would like to change in the world or even their opinions on new products, therefore putting it onto film has become more interesting and more popular.
Multiple points of view- Gogglebox
This programme shows various friends, couples and families watching television often declaring their opinions and thoughts on different programmes. This is a great example of multiple points of view as it uses a diverse amount of people and opinions to give the viewer an inkling into what the general public think about TV.
Shot variation:
Shot variation is the technique of using a wide range of different shot types in order to create an interesting piece of film.The main types of shot include a wide shot (establishing shot) which is often used at the beginning of the piece to show the viewer the location and scene. Long shots are shot from a large distance away from the subject often used to make the audience focus on that subject. Medium shots are often showing the character or subject from the waist or shoulders up, these are used to show dialogue or to establish characters to the audience. Close up shots are used to directly show the audience a detail that is relevant to the emotive context of the film, for example the facial expressions of a character that has just been told bad news.
Shot Variation- Mean Girls
This clip from the classic teen movie Mean Girls features an array of different shot types include medium shots, close ups, long shots and an over the shoulder shot to show dialogue between characters. It doesn't focus on one shot type for too long and interchanges between shots quickly to keep the pace of the film up.
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