Editing

EditingEditing is the process of manipulating and rearranging in any written documents, videos, audios, films for make them interesting, understanding or informational to create a new work. and editing is usually considered to be one part of post-production other post production tasks include titling, colour, correction, sound mixing etc.

Editing is understood by any of the following:

Rearranging, adding or removing sections of shots in video and sound in audio clips.

Applying color correction, filters and other improvements.

Creating transitions between clips.

Types of editing

Linear editing Non –linear editing

Linear editing (tape-to-tape) 

Linear editing was the original editing tape editing method, before non-linear editing computers became available in the 1990s.Linear video editing is a  process of selecting, arranging and modifying images and sound in a predetermined, ordered sequence . whether it was captured by video camera , tapeless camcorder or recorded in a television studio on a editing tape recorder

linear video tape editing is still commonplace in television station newsrooms for the production of television news, and medium-sized production facilities which haven’t made the capital investment in newer technologies. News departments often still use linear editing because they can start editing tape and feeds from the field as soon as received

Non – linear (digital) editing

Nonlinear video is a editing or audio editing method that entails accessing any frame in a digital video clip. Almost the same as the "cut and paste" method, this video editing style is often used in film editing.

Significance of editing

Editing helps us to organize and import video elements.

It helps us to create a rough assembly or draft.It helps us to create a final result using effects

and transitions.It helps us to develop and improve the visual

quality of shots.Editing helps us in the splitting , combining and

trimming of shots.

Grammar of editing

The editing grammar is a group of rules to judge the shot connection. The rules are described in the same manner as conventional sentence grammars. A basic element, to which the editing grammar is applied, is a group of shots. The cut is defined as a physical continuous section where the camera starts at the beginning and stops at the end. On the other hand, the shot is defined as a logical continuous section where the shot size or camera work is uniquely defined within the cut.Therefore, one or more shots are included in one cut.

The shot size is defined according to the distance from the camera to objects. The shot size is classified into long shot (LS), medium shot (MS) and close up shot (CS). CS and LS are the shots taken by approaching to or leaving from the object respectively compared with MS.

Camera Techniques: Distance and Angle

Long shot (LS)= Shot which shows all or most of a fairly large subject (for example, a person) and usually much of the surroundings.

Extreme Long Shot (ELS) =In this type of shot the camera is at its furthest distance from the subject, emphasizing the background.

Medium Long Shot (MLS)= In the case of a standing actor, the lower frame line cuts off his feet and ankles.

Establishing shot=Opening shot or sequence, frequently an exterior 'General View' as an Extreme Long Shot (ELS). Used to set the scene.

Mid-Shot (MS)= In such a shot the subject or actor and its setting occupy roughly equal areas in the frame. Waist to head.

Close-up (CU). A picture which shows a fairly small part of the scene, such as a character's face, in great detail so that it fills the screen. Elbow to head

MCU (Medium Close-Up): head and shoulders. BCU (Big Close-Up): forehead to chin. Close-ups

focus attention on a person's feelings or reactions.

Viewpoint. The apparent distance and angle from which the camera views and records the subject. Not to be confused with point-of-view shots or subjective camera shots.

Point-of-view shot (POV). A shot made from a camera position close to the line of sight of a performer who is to be watching the action shown in the point-of-view shot.

Two-shot. A shot of two people together.Selective focus. Rendering only part of the action

field in sharp focus through the use of a shallow depth of field. A shift of focus from foreground to background or vice versa is called rack focus.

Soft focus. An effect in which the sharpness of an image, or part of it, is reduced by the use of an optical device.

Wide-angle shot. A shot of a broad field of action taken with a wide-angle lens.

Tilted shot. When the camera is tilted on its axis so that normally vertical lines appear slanted to the left or right, ordinary expectations are frustrated. Such shots are often used in mystery and suspense films to create a sense of unease in the viewer.

Camera Techniques: Movement

Zoom. In zooming in the camera does not move; the lens is focused down from a long-shot to a close-up whilst the picture is still being shown. 

Following pan. The camera swivels (in the same base position) to follow a moving subject. A space is left in front of the subject: the pan 'leads' rather than 'trails‘

Tilt. A vertical movement of the camera - up or down- while the camera mounting stays fixed.

Crab. The camera moves (crabs) right or left.

Editing Techniques

Cut.  Sudden change of shot from one viewpoint or location to another. On television cuts occur on average about every 7 or 8 seconds. Cutting may:

• change the scene;•compress time;•vary the point of view; or•build up an image or idea.

Matched cut. In a 'matched cut' a familiar relationship between the shots may make the change seem smooth:

• continuity of direction;• completed action;*• a similar Centre of attention in the frame;• a one-step change of shot size (e.g. long to medium);• a change of angle (conventionally at least 30 degrees).

Jump cut. Abrupt switch from one scene to another which may be used deliberately to make a dramatic point. 

Cutaway/cutaway shot (CA). A bridging, intercut shot between two shots of the same subject.

Reaction shot. Any shot, usually a cutaway, in which a participant reacts to action which has just occurred.

Fade, dissolve (mix). Both fades and dissolves are gradual transitions between shots.

Editing Aesthetics

Editing is an invisible art, when done well it is hardly noticed. the editing process of selecting and ordering shots in an appropriate order this is known as editing aesthesis

Types :-

1. editing done during production - first used before post-production editing - decisions are made by director in control through switches - still used on news broadcasts and sporting events 

2. post production editing - eliminates the need to make decisions live - concentrate more on gathering info onto tape

Role of the Editor :-

- Creative editor: an individual with significant responsibility for making and executing decisions. - Technical editor: primarily a technician familiar with the operation of the editing system who executes the decisions made by the creative editor.

Establish and Maintain Screen Position :- Establishing shots 

- defines location and position of people in the shot in relation to their environment - medium or long shots

Cut Ins and Cut Outs:  a) cut in: close up of some detail of the scene - establishes important derail of scene - when cutting in objects and people should maintain relative position in frame  b)cut out: returning to a wider shot - often used when action is about to take place

Jump Cuts and Matched Cuts -violate the conventions of continuity editing because the destroy the seamless quality of editing jump cut: occurs when something is removed from the middle of the shot and the two remaining pieces are joined together matched cut: cut from one shot to another that is similar in terms of angles of view and camera position

Use Shot Content to Motivate Cuts - in continuity editing there should be a reason for making an edit - two motivators: dialogue and action - usually made at natural breaks in dialogue - cut on action: editing without the duplication of action.