The Rules of editing
The title is misleading because to imply that there are 'rules' for any creative process is to put a cage around creative exploration. But, there are certainly principles, paradigms, methodologies and frameworks that have been proven to work and its these that can form a solid basis for every editor in building meaningful, dramatic and engaging sequences.
Two Editors/Theorists who have been so bold as to present a set of 'Rules' are Walter Murch (most famous for editing Apocalypse Now and the Godfather Films) and Edward Dymtryk (a prolific filmmaker and academic). These two sets of 'rules' should inform the framework for measuring the reasoning and intent behind each cut you make on the timeline.
It's not a case of agreeing with them all but of asking the questions these 'rules' pose to come to a more refined understanding of your own editing process and an embedded approach to the pragmatics of continuity.
Edward Dymtryk. From On Film Editing: An Introduction to the Art of Film Construction
* "Rule 1. Never make a cut without a positive reason.
* "Rule 2. When undecided about the exact frame to cut on, cut long rather than short"
* "Rule 3: Whenever possible cut 'in movement'"
* "Rule 4: The 'fresh' is preferable to the 'stale'"
* "Rule 5: All scenes should begin and end with continuing action"
* "Rule 6: Cut for proper values rather than proper 'matches'"
* "Rule 7: Substance first?then form"
Walter Murch. From In the Blink of an Eye: a Perspective on Film Editing,
* emotion ? Does the cut reflect what the editor believes the audience should be feeling at that moment?
* story ? Does the cut advance the story?
* rhythm ? Does the cut occur "at a moment that is rhythmically interesting and 'right'"
* eye-trace ? Does the cut pay respect to "the location and movement of the audience's focus of interest within the frame"
* two-dimensional place of the screen ? Does the cut respect the 180 degree rule?
* three-dimensional space of action ? Is the cut true to the physical/spatial relationships within the diegesis?
Posted at 12:00AM May 26, 2008
by Mike Jones in video |
