editing glossary

What is editing?

How many cuts are used?

How long are shots on screen for?

How are they ordered?

Is editing fast or slow?

Is there any editing effects?

Transitions

The most common is a straight cut, it keeps continuing.

Dissolve – this is a gradual change where one shot fades to another. It can sometimes indicate passing time.

Fade to black/white – this is where one shot fades in or out to form a black or white screen, this can give the sense of flashbacks.

Fade in/out – this is a where it fades to a black screen or fades out of a black screen; this is usually used for peace mostly at the end or beginning of a film. It also gives the montage affect and can also show progression of time.

Crosscutting – this is where actions are cut between 2 scenes, this can create links and tension for example when there is 2 story lines.

Wipe – a wipe is where a line wipes across the screen showing a transition from one shot to another. This could change the time or location of the scene.

Jump cut – this is a dramatic cut at the beginning or the end of something, sometimes it can look very bad if it’s not done properly. It disorientates you when you’re watching the film.

Visual effects – they are a few different visual effect for example the most popular is an old effect on the screen where it is a dull colour and a bit jump. Also a cctv camera because its different.

Sound

Diegetic – this is a sound where you can hear thing from the actual footage for example the voices and thing that are happening in the shot like the sea or a car.

Non-diegetic – this sound is the music and all the sound effects that are put into the shot.

Continuity editing – this maintains a spatial relationship in a film; it also gives the film rhythm. It can also show reactions and actions.