Research into Editing Styles - Miss Georgiou

Editing

Introduction

Editing is essential to a film as it can add a tempo and can process a film into completion. It corrects any issues that can occur and can add certain effects

This clip from saw displays a number of different editing techniques that all build tension and lead up to the character 'Jills' death. The timing of shots are one of the main editing techniques that change how the thriller film is perceived. As the timer counts down towards her death the number of different shots increase this is to display the panic of the timer counting down. The effect of this is to build speed and make the audience feel anxiety for the character in the chair knowing that time is running out until her death.This is a typical convention of a thriller because the audiences anticipation increases as the tempo of the film increases. This is a type of editing techniques that the audience like to see in a thriller film as it would usually initiate a chase. Overall this may result in the audience feeling nervous, they may become agitated and this is consequently what will cause the anxiety to heighten which will result in them becoming more scared for the character. Not only is speed in shots conventional in a thriller when there fast but also when there slow which is another technique that can cause the audience to feel exactly the same emotion. The use of slow editing in thriller results in anticipation to whats about to come next. The same as what the outcomes going to be here when using fast editing.

In addition to this Linking shots are used with a flash back to add emotional impact within the scene. This is present when the shots of the past are added at quick speed. The audience begins to feel sympathy for her as they see a part of her innocent life. They see her walking through the park and in hospital. This is to display an emotional personal side to the character. The fact that the shots of innocence and enjoyment are shown just before her death, almost acts as closure between the audience and the character, by adding such emotional clips within an overall very violent gruesome scene. Linking shots are are typical convention of a thriller as in detail it gives the audience a clue into what the scene is next going to entail. For example if the killer in a thriller is about to be discovered linking shots can be made adding up all the clues that suggest who the killer would be. In this case though it is conventional to a thriller due to the fact it fits with the audience feeling empathy with this character. They know she played a massive role within the film and as a result of this the linking shots may cause the audience to feel devastated. Which is one aspect thriller tend to have. They usually have more of an emotional connection the the character compared to other genres such as horrors.

 Another editing technique that is being portrayed in the short clip is a reaction shot. After the continuous speed and flashbacks that have been added to this scene, a close up of Jill displays her reaction to the timer, with a terrified look in her eyes. This shot is to display a clear objective of her reaction towards death, the audience are able to see a true recollection of her emotion, by facial expressions. This make the audience again feel sympathy towards her, in addition to this it also give them an idea to what is about to come next, which is her gruesome death. Reaction shots are a common convention of a thriller as they are normally used after something shocking has happened. For example a convention of a thriller is sometimes usually the fact that the murderers identity is hidden. This suggests that when the killers identity is finally revealed then reaction shots are usually the type of editing style that remains present, as the audience are able to see the characters true emotion to what they are witnessing this is a way to build tension as the audience may actually feel that they have the same shocking reaction.

Conclusion

Overall the effect editing can have on a film, can change the whole dynamics. This has educated me on presenting a good thriller film myself. I have learnt about all the different techniques that can change the pace and dynamics in a film. This is to build tension and continue to add suspense within the sequence. I now know that I can change the speed of the shots and give examples of specific shots such as reaction shots and montages.