editing essay unit 16 task 1. (16.1.2)

DIANNE SIMPSON.

Editing essay unit 16 task 1. (16.1.2)

In this report I shall critically evaluate the history, development and pioneers of editing. To do this I will explain the contribution to the history of editing from Porter and Griffiths, cover the work of a famous editor and analyse a clip in terms of editing techniques. It is hoped that what I’ve learned will improved my own editing techniques.

Part 1

D.W Griffiths was an American film director, writer and producer who pioneered modern filmmaking techniques.  He was the first great film maker to understand the physiological importance of editing, D.W Griffiths invented and popularised techniques that established the basic grammar of film, his melodramas were the first to draw audiences into the emotional world of his characters. He was the first man to use the close up in certain ways. As well as that he established the tendency of classical film editing which relied on the invisible cut where action would be confused with fluid movement  where the goal was for the audience wouldn’t notice the cut and forget that they were watching a movie this was called the invisible craft however this kept editors invisible and unappreciated.  D.W Griffiths influenced film making by his unique styles and techniques that captured the audience’s attention. D.W. Griffith screened his films for the urban working-class as well as for presidents at the white house his films became a part of history in the making-unleashing the power of movies as a catalyst for social change. Griffiths used extreme and dramatic camera angles and complexly interweaved edits on his visuals.

Edwin S. Porter was an American film pioneer, most famous as a producer, director, studio manager and cinematographer with the Edison manufacturing company. Porter’s films gave rise of the codification of genre which initiated auteur cinema, by using his innovative use of dissolves, gradual transition and cross-cutting he pioneered the use of continuity editing that was mostly easily assimilated by the audience. He was skilled in taking ideas that existed and developed them by reworking themes or techniques. His films however contained cinematic and narrative elements but were theatrical with focus on the idea of dreams and visions which were very popular at the time. Porter’s role in the development of narrative cinema is even, through his reworking of contemporary themes and texts, his use of editing and pioneering in the work in the western genre and filmmaker as auteur, he still retains a place in history as one of the most influential filmmakers.

Part 2

Alfred Hitchcock is an English film director and producer he is referred to as ‘’the master of suspense’’. He pioneered elements of the suspense and psychological thriller genres. Hitchcock blended sex, suspense and humour in his work. His reputation as the ‘master of suspense’ was far in the future but during his early years he was known for the visual creativity of his film. Hitchcock’s silent films were striking those critics referred to the visual dramatic sequences that distinguished his work. Filmmakers have attempted to use Hitchcock’s techniques would normally overlook the comedy aspect which a vital as it was a component with his work, Hitchcock said that ‘humour does not diminish the effectiveness of dramatic suspense’. He found a way to make his suspense fun for his audiences through his unusual characters, ironic situations, settings and a complex balance of laughs and tension. Hitchcock is seen as a director who was able to combine art and entertainment in rare ways compared to other directors. Hitchcock started the trend called ‘the camera is not a camera’ this is where the camera would take on human qualities this allows the audience to feel as if they are involved in uncovering the story because the camera is able to roam around the room and the actors must act as if there is no camera, instead of being in the same position and angle being stiff.

Part 3

Hitchcock was known as ‘the master of suspense’, he managed to balance tension and horror. In his famous movie psycho which became Hitchcock’s most rated film as it was a crowd pleaser, he was a critically acclaimed as a master filmmaker, Hitchcock uses a variation of long shots with the camera without sound which makes It effective in creating suspense to the audience, there are also subjective shots used such as subjective close up shots this perspective narrows the view of the audience inviting them into the mind of the characters. The music used in the movie is innovative and effective this sets the audience on edge because the intensity of the music is parallel with the movements, this becomes nerve-wracking for the audience as there are scenes where suspense is built. As the film was in black and white this contributes to the tone of the film because some objects create contracts while focusing on the audience’s attention which is where the director is interested in. Hitchcock intended for his film to be a tongue in cheek and a dark comedy he then became horrified that the audience were disturbed by the film.

In conclusion Edwin S. Porter and D.W Griffiths both had different techniques used in their films, porter’s films contained cinematic and narrative elements however they were theatrical with focus on the idea of dreams and visions which were very popular at the time, his use of editing and pioneering in the work in the western genre and filmmaker as auteur. However, Griffiths was a film maker to understand the physiological importance of editing, he established the tendency of classical film editing which had relied on the invisible cut where action would be confused with fluid movement in order to achieve this the goal was that the audience wouldn’t notice the cut and forget that they were watching a movie, this was called the invisible craft. Both editors had their own different styles of editing and ended up influencing other directors and editors as some of their methods and techniques are used till this day in modern films.