Various Terminology that an Editor would use, and their meaning.

Terms that Editors use for direct meaning in the mise en scene.

Editors cut (rough cut)

There are three stages of editors cut:-

1) The editor’s job begins when the principal photography (start of production) takes place.

2) Whilst production is taking place, the main editor and director will have a daily conversation about footage taken and the use of sound/special effects.

3)The editor will also get daily screening which gives the editor an idea of the directors vision, this is classed as the first ‘’ok’’ the editor will continue to perfect the footage, whilst production is still taking place

Directors Cut

After the production stage has finished, the director would sit down with the editor to perfect the footage. The director then would be given a minimum of ten weeks, under the DGA’S (Director Guild of America) rules after the principal photography (first stage). This is followed by the editor and director meeting for a final time, to watch the film and look out for any errors or mistakes that were missed previously.

Final Cut

This is the stage when the directors and producers who are representatives’ of the production company (Universal Studios, Warner Brothers and 20^th Century Fox.) 

Editors Terminology

They would use these terms to communicate with fellow editors to be more precise and accurate.

The most common word an editor would use is ''cut'', which means a shot is changed for another one.

Continuity editing: - Is running action shot consistently without vibrations or jolts interfering. 

Cross cutting: - Is quick cutting from two action shots, back and forth, to give the indication they are happening in the same instance.

Errors of continuing:- including placing props in incorrect positions, than they were seen before in the film.

Establishment shots: - Is where there is a long shot or point of view shot, to establish the location of the scene. 

Final Cut: - is given the ''ok'' by the director and producer to allow the film to either enter film festivals or Cinemas.

Fade: - Is a transition of scenes.

Jump cut: - A cut that creates a lack of effect.

Matched cut: - Two shots that create action continuity.

Montage: - An emotional collaboration of action pact scenes.

Rough cut: - The first ''ok'' of choosing the correct shots of making the film.

Shot reverse shot cutting: - These scenes are most commonly used in intense interview/conversation scenes that may involve life or death.

Shot reverse shot taken from Friends.

Why Edit?

Why edit a film

To allow your film to fulfil its full potential, with the use of the plot being shortened or scenes are lengthened to attract the gaze of the audience to a personal level, which is demonstrated in the clip below of '' The Pursuit of Happyness''  staring Will Smith and Jaden Smith.

The Pursuit of Happyness 

Editing allows film makers to add sound/special effects to make their films more appealing to the public audience and attract a wider demographic. Also gives the film maker a second chance to patch up the mistakes that was not spotted in the earlier stages such as; a actor doesn't start to walk until five seconds after the director said ‘’action’’, however he can edit the mistake so the scene looks in motion.