Editing

Important things to think about when editing:

• How many cuts are being used?
• How long is each shot?
• What order are the shots in?
• Who's perspective are the shots in?
• Are the shots narrative - is it a single or dual narrative?
• Are the shots chronological?
• Is the editing faced paced or slow?
• What effects/transitions are used?

Transitions

• Straight cuts are the most common transition and keep the continuity and pace of a scene
• Dissolve transition means when one shot gradually fades to another and cross fades can represent time passing or a change of location
• Fade usually fades the shot to one colour (usually black or white). Fades can be used between shot to create a cross fade before gradually revealing the next shot. They are useful for giving a contemplative mood and a meandering pace
• Fade in or out is used at the beginning or end of a sequence to create dramatic effect or can be used during a sequence of shots to create a montage effect e,g, 'Quantum of Solace' Trailer
• Cross cutting can link to story lines together or contrast between them while also creating a sense of tension
• Wipe moves across the screen and can show a change of location or time
• Jump cut is similar to a cross cut but it is much more abrupt and jumps between shots quickly 

Continuity editing is a system of cutting used to maintain continuous and clear narrative action by following these rules:

1. An establishing shot: A long shot reveals the spatical relations between objects/characters and their setting
2. Shot/Reverse shot: Two shots which alternate between characters usually during a conversation
3. 180 degree rule: The angle between any two shots does not exceed 18- degrees in order to maintain spatical relations between people and objects and allows the audience to keep up with the shots. It is important not to cross the line of vision because the scene might lose sense to the viewer
4. 30 degree rule: An angle between any two consecutive shots is not less tan 30 degrees so the person and objects in shot maintain spatical relation
5. Cross cutting: Editing which alternates shots between two or more different locations
6. Match on action: One shot cuts to another shot portraying the action in the first shot e.g. a man shooting a machine gun in shot 1 and the machine gun shells hitting the floor in shot 2. This creates a 'visual bridge'
7. Eye line match: In one shot a character is looking at something and in the next shot it shows you what they are looking at while still being at their eye level (So it feels as though you are in the characters' position)
8. Re-establishing shot: A shot that returns to a view of space or location after a series of close up shots