"The Aesthetics of Editing" Review

The Psychology of Editing

B-roll is footage that visually describes the story and is very common in nonfiction storytelling. 

• Image and Sound - sounds allow images to make a stronger statement
• Shot Order - The order in which shots are viewed create different settings for the audience.
• Shot Relationship - Editing can allow viewers to not know the difference of two different shots.
• Time - Usually editing compresses shots. Program length are dictated by distribution requirements which also effects editing. 
• Rhythm and Pacing - The editor decides how often to cut. The faster the pacing, the more specific the cut must be.

Continuity

Continuity refers to maintaining story consistency from shot to shot and within scenes. It pretty much makes the story believable to viewers. A jump cut is a series of two shots that lack continuity.

• Physical Continuity - relates to all the items used in the production. This type of continuity can be checked before shooting begins and someone on the crew can be in charge of this.
• Technical Continuity - refers to technical inconsistency from shot to shot. For example, changes in lighting, audio levels, or quality of the image.
• Continuity Conventions - A basic rule for editors is to maintain screen direction.

Sequencing

• A sequence is a series of shots that relate to the same activity. The purpose of the sequence is to add interest and sophistication to a scene and provide the viewer with a better understanding of the scene.

Transitioning

• A transition is the change from one shot to another. It advances a story line from shot to shot and scene to scene.
• The Cut - an instant change from one image to another.
• Cutting on the beat is effective when the image should change on specific beats, usually music.
• Besides the cut, transitions include mixes, wipes, and digital effects.
• Mix - a generic term for a gradual transition where one image appears to fade away while another begins to appear.
• A fade has black or another solid color as either the incoming or outgoing image.
• A mix between two images is called a dissolve.
• A wipe is when one image moves across the screen replacing the previous image as it progresses.

The Magic of Editing

For every problem, there's usually a creative solution.

• An L cut occurs when the picture and sound start at slightly different times. This creates interest or suspense.
• A filter is an effect that can be applied to a clip or entire program in order to alter the perspective, color, or other attributes of the clip.
• Compositing is the layering of tracks on top of one another.

Editing is the third and final time a story is told during the production process and before screening. I never really think about the editing of a film while watching it. I may reference it when I am done watching a movie with a lot of special effects but that's as far as I take it. After reading this chapter I have realized that there is a lot more to editing that just putting pieces of film together to complete a story.

The following is a film by Wendy Apple titled "The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing" which I believe goes into detail what the Osgood and Henshaw article discussed.