Editing Techniques

Editing techniques

I have been asked to analyse these specific clips and provide good examples of various editing techniques from past and present.

●      Battleship Potemkin: The Complete Odessa Steps Sequence, documents an early use of montage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laJ_1P-Py2k 

●      Way Down East - DW Griffith, Early Example of Parallel editing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI2e3pXat54  

●      Example of Parallel Editing in "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts1x6uADFtM

●      Rocky III Training montage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4soF2wigKSM

●        Team America  - spoof montage explains the use of montage well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhWiTORp22k

Battle Potemkin

First I will be analysing Battleship Potemkin. There are several different editing techniques within this short clip. One of these specific techniques is called “Dissolve Fading”. This is the technical term for this editing technique. This could have been used for several different reasons. One of these reasons being the fade will make the audience be on the edge of their chairs. This one specific technique reference was used so that this purpose could be achieved. It was achieved as it grasps the audiences’ attention and makes them want to watch more of the silent film.  The “Dissolve Fade” technique was used so that it is effective on the audience.  It was very effective because the Dissolve Fade helps create tension for the audience. Also the fade will slowly show the audience what will happen within the next scene.

Another technique that this silent film uses is “Quick Cut Shots”. This montage uses quick cuts to give the audience a sense of urgency and dread. By cutting to shots of people fleeing down the stairs, the audience feels the urgency they feel, while at the same time feeling concerned for their safety. This concern is only heightened by cutting to the stunning shots of the feet of the soldiers walking down the stairs. The sense of intensity and concern hits an all-time high as we see the baby carriage falling down the stairs with the baby inside. By cutting to shots of shocked onlookers, we as well get a feeling of shock and horror after observing the preceding events. Meaning is used so that he audience can see what is happening within the scene. As well as feel as though they are apart of the movie.

Way Down East

The second movie clip I have decided to analyze is “Way Down West”.  The purpose of this is to grasp the attention of all the audience. The meaning of this is to make the audience aware of what is happening in the world. There are different kinds of editing in this clip.  This is successfully achieved due to this specific editing technique. Which is “Parallel Editing”.  This technical editing is the technique of alternating two or more scenes that often happen simultaneously but in different locations. One possible purpose for this editing technique being used could be that it wants the audience to know what is going on in different places within the movie. It uses three different location shots in this clip. We are presented with an ice land that is defrosting and melting. Then we are presented with a woman lying down.  Lastly we are presented with a character running across ice melting.  

This is effective for many different reasons. One of these reasons is because its engagement. The interest and engagement of this clip is effective as it makes the audience feel sorrow for this specific character within this clip. So the effectiveness of the clip has been successful.

The silence of the lambs

Thirdly I have decided to analyse the clip Silence Of The Lambs. This clip I my opinion was very interesting. The meaning of this clip/movie was to mislead he audience.  The purpose of this specific clip was to grab the viewer’s attention and interest. The technical name of the technique used to achieve this purpose and meaning is “Parallel Editing”. There is only two different locations/ scenes used in this Parallel Editing. These two scenes are, a criminal keeping someone hostage and the armed forces targeting a house.  This technique achieves the purpose as it creates tension for the viewer. Little things such as medium-long shots and close ups help achieve this.  Towards the end of the clip the audience are mislead. This is because the audience think that the armed force has located the criminal. Where really they are at the wrong house. This is where the audience starts to get suspicious about whose house they have broken into etc. 

This is effective as it makes the audience feel mysterious as well as on edge. That was also a possible purpose of the movie. This clip also is effective as grasps the audience attention into wanting to watch more.

Rocky III- Montage

Fourthly I have decided to analyse Rocky III montage.  The purpose of this clip is to show the audience what is happening. As well as what the main character is doing to succeed. The meaning of the clip is so that the audience can understand what Rocky is training for and why he is doing it. This is successfully achieved due to the technical term “montage” this is successfully used as it shows a series of shots, which are condensed into a period of time. This montage also gives off a lot of information across to the audience.  Montages like the Rocky montage are usually referred to as “Soviet montage Theory”. This is because this montage is over a period of time.

There has been different kind of techniques used to help support the main purpose, which have been camera angles. Camera angles, which have been used successfully, are panning shots, medium- long shots and long shots. These specific shots help achieve the meaning and purpose.

These are effective as they help grasp the attention and engagement of the viewer. It also grasps the audience’s interest. This is because when montage is used it shows the target audience what is happening over a certain time period. Which means this is vital information that audiences need to know about.

Team America

Finally, the last clip I have decided to analyse is Team America.  A possible purpose of this clip is to get the point across to the viewer what the characters are trying to do. The meaning of this clip is for the clip to grasp the viewer’s attention as well as their interest.  The technique used for this clip is called a “montage” a montage is successfully used for many different reasons. One of these reasons being the production tem who made this clip want to get the idea across to the viewer that this character need intense training to become a soldier. That’s when the montage comes into place.  This is achieved successfully as it is supported by the camera angles in the shots.

This is effective because it engages the audience and helps achieve the possible/ actual purpose of the clip. The audience and viewers are intrigued and interested in the clip, as a successful montage has been used.