Research into editing styles - Miss Gerogiou



Editing in film is the process whereby shots from a scene are selected and constructed together to create the final edit. Editing styles create meaning in the film through collages, tempo and timing through the scenes. Which helps highlight the significant parts of the film and also editing styles are used in thrillers to create shock,surprise,suspense

The clip I will be researching and exploring different types of editing styles is Scream 4 - Olivia's Death scene.

 

Shot reverse shot

Kirby on the phone 

Olivia on the phone

My first editing technique i will be analysing is the shot reverse shot, this is mostly used in films when a conversation is taking place and its when one shot quickly follows another. In my chosen scene it starts off with a shot reverse shot from 0:19 - 0:48 where two girls, Kirby and Olivia are having a phone conversation Kirby is inside her house and Olivia is outside walking to her house. As they live opposite each other you can tell that these two girls are quite close to each other. The reverse shot gives both characters more importance in the scene as it keeps cross cutting back and fourth the two making the audience pay more attention on them. The fact that their two girls with blonde hair, this suggest that they're innocent and vulnerable making the audience wonder if they're the victims which creates a closer relationship with them. Furthermore, the this editing technique also reveals where the two girls are, kirby is indoors whilst Olivia is outside. This shows that Kirby is less likely to be the victim as she's indoors and safe in her own home, however Olivia is outside walking where its isolated, dark and quiet. Which makes the audience feel tensed as they feel something is lurking and watching her, this foreshadows that she may be in danger from the antagonist as she is alone which will be appropriate for the thriller genre. The use of the shot reverse shot is conventional to a thriller as the cross cutting between the two creates tension and suspicion on whats going to happen, to either both of them or one as they're the main focus on the scene, making the audience wonder who is going to be the victim. Moreover, the cross cutting gets quicker as she approaches her house which could represent her quickly being close to her death.

Reaction Shot

Kirby and Jill's reactions to Olivia's death

A reaction shot is where ' any shot (often used as a cutaway) in which the subject reacts to a previous shot'. A reaction shot is used repeatedly in this scene when Olivia is getting stabbed by the antagonist. This editing technique is used to emphasise the two witnesses shock and surprise as well as the audiences reaction to Olivia's death. The two girls on the left are friends of the victim who is being hurt by the antagonist at the house which is on the other side of the street. Their

POV camera shot 

facial expressions exaggerate the amount of shock their in as their mouths are open which makes the audience relate to them as they're probably doing the same thing. The purpose of a reaction shot is to show the facial expressions of a character(s) and their body language to show their emotional state, this also helps build a relationship with the audience as they can relate to their reactions as they would react the same as them. Also theres a point of view, handheld camera shot which shows the unsteadiness of the event implying that whatever they are seeing is a blur and its going all too quick to take in, also it places the audience into their position to witness whats going on from where they are watching from. The use of this creates a connection between the girls and the audience making them emphasise them for the horror they are witnessing. This reaction shot is conventional to a thriller as the characters feelings mirrors the way the audience are feeling about the scene too which creates a closer relationship to the victim because no one would ever want to witness anything happen to their friend. 

Timing of shots



Olivia getting stabbed by the antagonist 

Olivia's friend walking up the stairs 

This editing style is when the sequence is edited either really slow or fast to add emotional impact or to create suspense for the audience. From 3:02 - 3:22 , the timing of the shots are increased and made faster , making the audience shocked and jump as they wasn't expecting that to happen. During this time, Olivia is being stabbed all over her body, thrown against the wall and desks by the masked antagonist known as ' Ghost Face '. The speed of the shots are quicker as it creates an emotional impact on the audience as they feel sympathetic for her as she is getting stabbed and no one can do anything about it. Fast editing is conventional to the thriller genre as it shows the audience how fast the event is going, and as it goes too quick it makes the audience feel more tensed and shocked as its a lot to take in. However as the scene goes on the timing of shots become slower as Olivia's friend tries to come and save her. As she is walking up the stairs slowly the lighting is really low and dark making it harder for her and the audience to see whats up the stairs creating more tension. Also her walking up the stairs slowly, shows that she is cautious and weary because the antagonist may still be at Olivia's room where he killed her. Her bravery and loyalty makes the audience create a closer relationship with her, as she is risking her life to go and check on her friend who has just been brutality abused by the antagonist. The use of slow editing in thrillers is conventional as it makes the scene slow which amplifies the suspense of the atmosphere which makes the audience feel apprehensive on whats going to appear.  The timing of shots either slow or fast are conventional to a thriller because they create a emotional impact or create suspense for the audience which makes them connect more with the characters or continue to watch more of the movie.

In conclusion, I believe that this scene I researched has successfully created all elements of shock,surprise and suspense. Also this post has helped me research the different types of editing styles that are used in this clip which created suspense,shock and tension. Also how much editing styles play a role in portraying characters and telling the storyline. I would definitely consider using a reaction shot , to show what my antagonists are feeling and so they can connect with the audience more in my opening thriller scene. Furthermore , i will use a shot reverse shot, to engage the audience to my main characters so that they follow them through the story creating suspense and a closer relationship with them. Also, in my opening I will make sure the timing of shots are quicker when the victim is running away in the woods from the antagonist as this will represent the urgency of her getting away from him.