Introduction
The art of editing forms the most important part of the post-production part of filmmaking. It is the work of film editors to select and possibly combine numerous shots that eventually form a complete motion picture. The art of film editing is very unique in filmmaking and cinema. More often than not, it is editing that helps in separating other earlier art forms like photography, directing, theatre, and dance from filmmaking.
When film editing is well done, the film viewer becomes so engrossed in the film that the work of the editor is usually forgotten (Giannetti, 2008). Film editors, therefore, have a huge task of ensuring that their films appeal to the viewers. This is the only way to make sure that they remain relevant, especially in today’s world of fierce competition in all sectors, the film industry included.
History of editing
The earliest form of film editing was done using a positive copy of a film’s negative called a film workprint. The process involved cutting and pasting pieces of film together by the use of a splicer. Threading the film on a machine using a viewer (movila) then followed. Currently, film editing is all digital and completely bypasses the positive workprint, a very essential element in ancient film making. In the early years of its invention, the use of the film’s positive allowed the film editor to perform as much experimenting as he wished with no caution (Dmytryk, 1984).
Editing to other filmmaking techniques
In film editing, it is the work of the film editor to assemble its footage, although editing also encompasses assembling film pieces, cutting off film slates, and editing scenes, especially those with dialogue.
Film editors must be able to link other forms of art such as stories, dialogue, music, and images with editing. He or she should also be in a position to place the performance of actors to rewrite the film so as to create a cohesive whole (Chandler, 2009).
Importance of editing in film development
Film editing can create sensually provocative montages, and become a laboratory for experimental data and bring out the emotional truth in an actor’s performance. Early techniques of editing have made it possible for modern film producers to bypass negative cutting (Dmytryk, 1984). The earliest forms of editing have led to the technologically advanced filmmaking industry.
Usage of film to create meaning
Meaning creation in the film was introduced by the use of montage. Montage is a French term that means “to mount or to assemble together” pieces or shots to form a story in the form of a film. Editing a film is like building a house; shot by shot the building is made. Montage has been able to achieve its mission owing to the fact that most viewers infer meaning based on the context.
Film editing should be in a position to create some meaning through the use of shots edited to help in making narratives. These shots are very essential in the advancement of a story as opposed to merely creating a symbolic meaning.
Normally, film editors incorporate a background song in their film to help in enhancing the mood among its potential viewers and possibly underline the information being passed across (Giannetti, 2008). The background music further plays a big role in improving in attracting more viewers, especially those whose main point of attraction is the music.
Pulp Fiction
Pulp fiction is a very interesting American film directed and edited by Quentin Tarantino. One element that makes the film interesting to watch is its hilarious humor, brought out by the irony of the incidences, especially the characters’ dialogues and monologues. The creation of a funny character is a huge task, where the director, in editing the film, must ensure that each character suites the roles assigned. The film is generally about gangsters and gamblers that dominated the paperback fictions of the thirties and forties (Otto & Harlan, 2006).
The main character’s role in this film is played by Ving Rhames, a crime lord who uses two dangerous people. The two have been sent by Marsellus to kill some young men who tried to steal from Marsellus. In their conversation on how fast foods are different in Europe, they conclude their discussion with a talk on Uma Thurman, Marssellus’s wife. Meanwhile, Marssellus has already planned to ask Vince to take a close watch on his wife while he is away for a few days on business matters. Interestingly, Marsselluss does not succeed in his mission to have the wife watched while he is away (Otto & Harlan, 2006).
The film is undoubtedly one of the weirdest, considering the number of engaging criminals in it. The director (Tarantino) is quite skillful in creating his characters to suit the situations. His skills are also manifested in the way he creates scenes so that the viewers are able to understand the intended message.
The story being developed by the director is narrated in chronological order. This is very important because the viewers can follow the events and establish their connections. To establish the connection of events, Tarantino uses very familiar scenes for the viewers. It is only through the use of familiar scenes that the viewers are able to understand the meaning, and possibly relate it to their daily lives (Otto, 2008). Tarantino manages to create characters with funny behaviors. Apart from the violent scenes in this film, it stands out as the most rewarding film with authentic horror, action and characters.
The responses editing evokes to the viewers
Film editing as an art can be used to evoke various emotions in the viewer, for example, sad and lively emotions. All film editors must clearly know the kind of emotions they wish to evoke among their audience.
Film editing can create sensually provocative images for the viewers. In most cases, the film editor uses editing to bring out the emotional truth to the actors and viewers or create a point of view on obtuse events. Editing can create an illusion of danger to the viewers where there is no danger at all. Film editors must therefore strive to provide quality films to attract more viewers since most viewers of today tend to be choosy.
References
- Chandler, G. (2009). Film editing: Great cuts Every Film maker and movie lover must know. New York: Michael Wiese productions
- Dmytryk, E. (1984). On film editing: An introduction to the art of film construction. Boston: Focal press
- Giannetti, L. (2008). Understanding Movies. New York: Pearson Prentice Hall
- Otto, P. & Harlan, C. (2006). Pulp fiction: the crime fighters. London, Quercus Press
- Otto, P. (2008). The big books of pulps: the best stories from the Golden Age of the pulps-the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. London: Quercus Press