Research into editing styles (Miss Georgiou)

In this blog post I will be understanding how editing is used in the thriller genre. This will include looking at the effect each editing element adds to the scene and how it makes the scene more conventional to the thriller genre. As well as this I will also be showing how each of the effects used has an effect on the audience and stating the importance of that connection between the film and the audience.

The clip I have chosen is from the film seven and is called the 'sloth'.

Montage
A montage is created as part of the reaction shot as it quickly splits between all the men's reactions to emphasis the mutual element of surprise. In particular it zooms in on their faces to show their facial expressions to help convey their fear to the audience. By the shots being edited so quickly together it gives the audience the impression that they are shaken and jumpy due to what has just happened and may be on edge. By showing lots of different shots it is also conveying to the audience that a million different things are going through their head emphasising their shock and confusion to the audience. This then gives them a better idea of how each person is feeling allowing them to feel sympathy and panic for the characters.

Shot reverse shot
This editing style is used when the men in the main room, where the body is laying, are calling the chief. A conversation begins to take place causing one shot to quickly follow another to show their reaction and response to what each other are saying. This helps create an intensity for the audience as due to the men calling the chief in regards to the body they've just found the audience concentrate on the conversation as they want to know more. By showing each person as they talk rather then just hearing the responses in the background it eliminates any mystery and allows the audience to know what exactly each man is doing involving them more into the scene.

Reaction shot
A reaction shot is used when the suspected dead body coughs causing the officer closest to it to jump back and fall to the ground in a state of shock. Straight after this the man then instinctively reaches for his gun as a source of protection despite the state of shock still being clear across his face. In between each of his acts the camera is then cut away to different men in the room showing their reactions also. This helps highlight the mutual shock between all of the men and allows the audience to get a perspective of how everyone is feeling as by watching their body language and facial expressions it allows the audience to understand how each character feels without the need for them to speak. This face pace editing grabs the audiences attention and highlights the sense of confusion and panic within the group as it seems the camera man doesn't know who to show on the screen which also helps show that the room is of high energy and everyone is doing something in the scene. By showing all the characters immediate reaction after the shot also creates a relationship between the actors and the audience as due to the previous clip being jumpy and of high shock factor for the audience by the actors sharing the same reaction it creates a mutual bond of fear.

180 rule
The 180 rule is a hypothetical line drawn between the actors and the set that the camera can not pass. It is a universal rule used with in all film genres to keep the scene from a majority of one angle and view point. It is typically used so the audience does not get confused as to where the characters are in the room and gives them an element of special awareness when the camera focuses on different characters. By keeping to the rule it allows the director and camera men to keep the scene looking as realistic as possible. As a result of doing this the film is able to relate to the audience more as not only does it stop the audience's mind wondering in regards to where they are in the room ensuring the audience members full focus is on the scene it also manages to engage the audience more as by being realistic it allows them to relate the scene back to their own life creating an emotional bond towards the characters as they do. In the clip when in the main room, the right hand side of the room and wall is never shown at all during the scene.

Jump cut
A jump cut is present when the camera suddenly focuses on the arm of the victim lying on the bed. This highlights the importance of the arm in the film and fills the screen as well as suggesting that the arm is suddenly focused on as it has just been discovered by the man examining the body suggesting that the shot is almost like a point of view angle. This creates a relationship between the audience and the character as by being able to see what they see it means they can experience the same emotions together and making the audience just as involved in the discovery as the actor looking at the arm. As well as this a jump cut is also used when the person on the bed suddenly makes a noise and the camera turns to see the men's reaction. This is used to highlight how immediate the response is and creates a sense of urgency and sudden panic. These emotions then create tension and a sense of chaos for the audience.

Timing of shots

The editing style timing of shots is used without this scene to highlight the different feelings experienced by men as they walk round and start uncovering the house. Slower shots, which are used in the beginning, are used to show the men's concentration as it appears they are taking their time to look thoroughly which in turn makes the audience concentrate harder on the screen which allows any element of surprise to affect them more as they are more engrossed in the film. This slow speed of the shots also creates suspense and allows it to build up within the scene and there fore the audience as in such a deserted location it is almost guaranteed something is going to happen. When the man finally makes a noise the edits the begin to appear quicker to replicate the surprise felt by the actors and audience and add emotion impact. These fast pace shots then show the shock created through the high suspense of the scene and can be seen to replicate their hearts beating through being so shock.