Rules for Editing
Penguin September 10th, 2008
FreshDV has a great article on Edward Dmytryk, an American film editor, who wrote On Film Editing
- Never make a cut without a positive reason.
- When undecided about the exact frame to cut on, cut long rather than short.
- Whenever possible, cut in movement.
- The fresh is preferable to the stale.
- Substance first—then form.
- Cut for proper values rather than for proper matches.
- All scenes should begin and end with continuing action.
“The only reason for using another cut is to improve the scene.”
“Splicing a few frames back onto a scene which has been lopped short makes ‘jumpy’ viewing, and a cut full of such amendments makes proper visualization difficult and perceptive judgment impossible.”
“Creating a ‘diversion’ of sorts … is also the principle at work in the action cut.”
“In art, the obvious is a sin.”
“Technical skill counts for nothing if it is used only to manufacture films which have little to do with humanity.”
“The film’s dramatic requirements should always take precedence over the mere aesthetics of editing.”
“Subconsciously suggest to the viewer that he is seeing a fragment of continuing life, not a staged scene with a visible framework.”
I think the best rule is this following guideline:
The best film actors act from there eyes. Use the eyes to guide your cuts. Cutting dialogue sequences is much more difficult because it’s not just cutting words: You’re cutting the emotion. You are cutting lives connecting. Attitudes, moments, emotions. And the actors have to look good; they have to be cherished and they have to be honored.
-Carol Littleton
The important thing about editing is the story. And stories are carried by characters and characters are built by emotions.
+ Buy On Film Editing
-Penguin
Related posts
Add New Comment
Thanks. Your comment is awaiting approval by a moderator.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Add New Comment
Trackbacks