Editing styles - Miss Georgiou

'The shining, Here'e Johnny'

Editing styles are vital when producing film clips because they create different emotions and feelings amongst the audience. Generally editing is used to provide coherence and excitement to a film. The person who edits the film is called the editor. Editing just like cinamotography can be used to create more than one perspective. The film that I analysed was 'The shining' because there is evidence of different editing techniques.


For example when Johnny is waling towards the door we see and example of a timing shot. The intended effect for this shot would be that it creates tension as the isolated corridor looks peaceful but then we see Johnny casually walking down it holding a knife, it would make the audience feel tension as they know the girl is near by and that Johnny is on his way to get her. Whereas it also creates suspense because the audience are on the edge of their seats anticipating the entrance of Johnny. This would relate to the conventions of a thriller because it creates suspense and tension.
Another example of a shot used within the film is a jump shot which is a cut in film editing in which two consecutive shots of the same subject are taken from camera positions that vary only slightly. This shot is used in the film when the axe is carving its way through the door and also the camera is focusing on the power of the axe. The main reason that a jump shot was used was because it creates surprise as the audience do not expect the axe to destroy the door like that, and also the repetitive slashing and slicing down of the door would shock the audience because there are being bombarded with loud noises and dramatic scenes. Another intention of a jump cut is to make the audience tense and excited. This would relate to the conventions of a thriller as it creates and ties in with all the 3 main elements of a thriller which are; shock, surprise and suspense.

A reaction shot is used to display a specific emotion on a character away from the main scene, it is often used alongside a close up shot as it is able to display close emotions. They are also used to create a bond with the audience and character as the audience are able to see how a character responds to under different circumstances, it also allows the audience to relate it to how they would react under the situation given at a specific moment in time. Correspondingly when Johnny is smashing through the door we see the women scared and screaming with fear, the use of a reaction shot here would be used to make her seem venerable as the editing is used to precisely convey her emotions and feelings. This would relate to the typical conventions of a thriller because the audience now is more nervous for the women as she could be killed at any moment in time, it would also build our relationship with the character as we feel sorrow for her as she is potentiallyt about to die. Also the fact that she is cooped up in the corner of the room would suggest that she is scared and venerable as she has no where to go. It would make the audience feel sorry for the women as we are able to predict her future and what will happen to her. This would relate to the distinctive conventions of a thriller as it creates tension and suspense as the audience are anticipating the arrival of Johnny to the women.

Fourthly there is a straight cut used this is when the camera changes from one place to another with very little effects just a straight cut and change in place/characters. This shot is used to construct a simple transaction of change. In the clip ‘here’s Johnny’ this type of clip is used when you see the women climbing out of the window from the perspective of the window but then you see her struggling to escape form the room with the snowy rooms next door and the quiet calm area. The fact that it’s covered in snow would suggest peacefulness and calmness. So this adds to the significance of the event because we know that a women is about to be killed and murdered in such a quiet area. The straight cut adds a sense of meaning as we can only originally see her struggling from one point but then the reality of the situation as she is dangling out of the window. This would make the audience feel tense as they’re expecting her to die any minute. This would add to the conventions of a thriller because it makes the audience feel tense and shocked. Furthermore it would add to our previous relationship with the character as we can reflect on her struggle and feel compassionate towards her.

 

From this post I have learnt the there are many different editing styles used within thrillers that I would like to use in my thriller clip. They can also create multiple meanings and emotions amongst the audience, for example diffferent cuts give different implied meanings to the audience. Finally the can concieve more than one menaing to ther audience.