In my class, we have been exposed to a variety of editing techniques that alter the way our film progresses. We had been given an assignment in order to create a short film, using several of the editing techniques that had been shown to us. My group and I had decided to film a conversation between two people, and incorporate several editing techniques that we learned in class. These techniques could be used in our film at the end of the year as well in order to create different emotions in our audience.
- Shot/Reverse Shot:
The first editing technique we used in our short film was the shot/reverse shot. This technique is typically used in conversational scenes in order to incorporate two perspectives in the scene. The over-the-back shot is also commonly used in the shot/reverse shot technique. The basis of that shot is also to display different perspectives in a conversation. In the film above, this shot is used when the two characters begin to speak of the Spanish-American war.
- Cut-Away Shot:
The cut-away shot was used to censor the abrupt change of mood in the character. He was ranting and raving while the still-shot of the sweater on the table played on the screen. This shot could be incorporated in our final introduction by censoring out certain sounds or emotions portrayed by the actor.
- Eye-Line Match:
The eye-line match represents a POV shot of what one character could be looking at. This could indicate a sense of familiarity between the audience and the actual actor. We could use this editing technique in our film by giving the audience a true depiction of what the actor is viewing or experiencing.
