Cutting

CUTTING

The art of editing is based on how the editor cuts the pre-produced film into the scenes to tell the story. An editor may have hundreds of hours of footage to view before deciding where to cut. There are 6 general factors an editor must consider before determining when and where to cut.

1.     Information  - The editor will cut were a scene or subject presents new information.

2.     Motivation  - An editor will cut were the film present motivation to cut. For example the viewer may feel the need to learn something new in the shot.

3.     Shot composition  - The editor can only control the cuts within a film. The director determines the camera angle and where the camera points. The editor then has to get the most out of the footage he is given.

4.     Camera angle  -  Editors have strict rules to follow when cutting between shot. Camera angles can throw the viewer off if the rule of thirds isn’t followed correctly.

5.     Continuity  -  Editors must keep the scenes and cuts smooth to allow the film to flow and the edits should be unnoticed by the viewer.

6.     Sound  - As well as movie clips the editor has to work with sound clips attached to most movie clips. Keeping sound in sync with the movie is extremely important.