Editing – Assembling Shots In a Coherent Sequence

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EditingFilm editing is a technical and creative part of the post-production process of filmmaking. The term is derived from the traditional process of working with film, but film editing increasingly involves the use of digital technology. At its most fundamental level, film editing is the art, practice and technique of assembling shots into a coherent sequence. A film editor takes the shot material which is long and large combining it together and adding to it its own aesthetics. A film editor is virtually like a sculptor who crafts out a film that then becomes a magical viewing experience.

By the very nature of its job, film editing can be a long and arduous process. Every film has various scenes, scenes have various shots, shots have various takes. So the editor has to align, organize, label, mark and assemble all this material before the real job of editing starts. However, the job of an editor does not end at merely assembling the footage to form a cohesive structure. The editor has to work with the layers of the narrative such as pacing, story, dialogues, music etc. to effectively re-imagine the film.

It is referred to as an “invisible art” because in a well-edited film, it is hard to figure out where the cuts have been made, hence engaging the viewer in what seems to be a continuous uninterrupted narrative. An editor is essentially quite a master of the cinematic form and usually plays a dynamic role in the making of the film, which is why some film makers like Akira Kurosawa and the Coen Brothers edit their own films.

One needs to have a cohesive understanding of the various technicalities involved in the art and craft of editing.  Editors are critical in the making of a film. We at India’s first online film school – WWI Virtual Academy, give you a holistic introduction to the various aspects of film editing. We have over 50 hours of audio-visual material, including lectures, demonstrations and assessments. The module in Editing comprises of:

  • Role of Editors
  • Selection, Order & Duration of Shots
  • Introduction to FCP
  • Dialogue & Montage Editing
  • Advanced Concepts of Editing
