Examples of Editing Techniques

The shot reverse shot is used a lot in TV and film when two people are having a conversation, as using this shot makes it clear for the audience to understand the relation between the characters, the spaces between the characters, what they are saying and their emotions thought their facial expressions. The sit-com ‘Friends’ used this technique a lot, as it helps to create the right images for the audience to understand what is happening and to know the characters better. For example an episode where the character Chandler Bing is having a interview of a job and in this scene they use the shot reverse shot technique to show the relationship between the two characters. The shot changed mainly when the characters were speaking this was so that the audience could see what they were saying and their expression. Doing this helps the audience to give an understanding of the character and it also helps them to see where the characters are and the space between them. Thought sometimes the short would change to show the character’s reactions too what is being said. This is because of the type the genre the programme is and doing this makes it comical in that it links back to what has happened early in the episode. Using this technique in film and TV means that the audience gets a better understanding of the character and the location. Using this shot is good as it help to tell the narrative and communicate to the audience about the characters and location being able to show subtext to the audience easily.



The 180 degree rule is used in TV and film, to make sure that the scene and actions look correct, so that the audience can understand the relation between the characters, they have a better view of the location and the spaces between the characters. When using different shots the camera man needs to make sure that they stay behind the line, other wise to the viewer the location and the position of the character would look wrong and confuse the audience. In the TV serious ‘Smallville’ they break the 180 degree rule. Though the editor had flipped the image over to stop the audience from noticing and ruining the effect they were trying to make. This is a technique that is used in editing a lot to make sure the image looks correct. From the example you could tell that this had happened because one of the characters has a cut above their left eye and then in the next shot the cut is above the other eye. Having this you are able to see that they have broken the 180 degree rule. Thought they have changed the image it stops the positioning of the characters in the right places. In film and TV they use this techniques to make sure that they are show the correct images and that the props, set and characters are in the correct places.

The match on action is used to put two different views of the same action at the same moment in the same movement. This technique is used to make the action flow better and for the audience to understand what is happening better. This technique is used in TV and film to create a better flow and image for the audience and it helps them to understand what is happening and get a better view of the action and how the character is feeling. This technique is used a lot in trailers so that the audience know what the programme is going to be about as they need to match the action to what the titles are saying and to make what they are showing flow in order. In the examples it’s a trailer for ‘Skyline. This advert use this technique to make their target audience wanted to watch ‘Skyline’ and this will make them more money which is the purpose. Using this technique to match the action to the titles used. The way in which they use this technique helps the audience to have a better understanding of what is happening.