The Purpose of Editing
The Purpose of Editing
Editing is a critical component employed when filmmakers, producers, and storytellers are
unable to create a proper story without the use of green screen or special effects. CGI, or
computer-generated imagery, is the most prevalent type of special effect used today. Because
the technique is so time consuming and expensive, this look is frequently used in high-budget
films. When we talk about CGI, we usually mean 3D computer produced visuals that are
utilized to create scenarios or special effects.
Editing allows a range of diverse shots and takes to be translated into a condensed plot while
keeping the audience's attention focused on the centre of the screen. The editor in most films
employs a number of methods to create a story or convey emotion to the audience. They
achieve this in a variety of ways, one of which is through the use of colour.
Colour may be used to convey various emotions and make the viewers feel a specific way
about a scene or a character without them even realizing it. Although this varies depending on
the country, culture, and context of a scene or character, there are crucial colours that are
utilized to portray a specific mood. Colour-grading is an effect used by editors to change or
improve the atmosphere of a scene. It can also be used to convey or attach a sentiment to a
scene.
The image below depicts Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions, which is frequently used as a
reference for what people instinctively feel when they see these colours,
The Role of an Editor
Editors require experience in a wide variety of roles or have specific skills like technicians,
craftsmen or even creative artists. This is because they are in charge of acknowledging how
to use the post-production stages application such as Premiere Pro or Avid at which will
allow the editors to edit or enhance the basic video editing through the use of CGI, special
effects, music, diegetic and non-diegetic sound effects. On that account, the use of the
application masterfully, they also need a better acknowledgement of basic or general idea of
film, iconography, mise-en-scene and proper time management. One of the main roles of an
editor is the ability to scan all of the raw footage and find the correct takes and shots needed
in the film whereby allowing them to produce a completed film where it resembles what the
producers and directors visioned. As a result, they are required to work closely together with
the director of the film.
There are 2 types of editing which are physical editing and digital editing,
1. Physical Editing – Involves the editor going through the video shot by shot so they
can identify the proper cut points that allow the editor to cut and tape the rolls of film
together that’s why it’s also considered destructive editing.
2. Digital Editing – Gives the editor the flexibility to alter the film using some of the
computer applications. This method is called non-linear editing or destructive editing.
The application allows users to roam around different shots or expunge them with a
click of a button.
The Strategy Involved in Editing
The first-ever edit created is called the Assembly Cut where it is a rough version of the
footage (RAW Footage) which lays the groundwork for future editing or changes and forms
the basic idea of the story. They make this cut with guidance from the director so they can
filter out if any re-shoots need to be done or if there’s any specific style the director wants.
The second step is called the Rough Cut which allows the editor to experiment with a variety
of versions and ways the story is told.
The third step is the Fine Cut where shots are shortened or extended.
The Final Cut is known also as the Locked Cut is where no more changes can be made to the
settled shots of the film. In this edit, any colour grades, special effects, music, sound effects
and narrative replacement is being added for the film.
The objectives of the editors are to think about their shots in 6 different ways. How the scene
makes the audience feel or how do the editors make them feel a certain way and does a cut
add or take the emotion away from that specific scene or shot. Asking question to themselves
the addition edits to the story or is just there for some additional time and each shot need to
continue the story in some way either by the plot or character development. With the same
concept of music, editing needs some sort of rhythms and a sense of pacing. The editors are
responsible of where the audience is watching so it is crucial the editor keep most of the
highlights in the centre of the frame so that the audience isn’t looking around the screen too
often. The last 2 ways involving the editor being aware of 2D and the 3D space in movies.
The 2D is how the audience see the movie as and the 3D space is the actual story world the
audience see.