Editing styles
Editing is essential in thriller movies and sequences as all the different forms of editing can effect a sequence in film in different ways, as I will demonstrate in my analysis of the movie human centipede, as it contains many of the main editing types. URL of clip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-sonVtBtv8
The Human centipede, editing analyse
During the very opening part of the segment, in which both of the girls are on the operating table, a shot reverse shot is used to go from showing them individually on screen, one of them to the other. This is done so that the viewer can see the facial expression of both of the women on the operating table individually, emphasising each of there faces as showing there sad and frightened facial expression enables the viewer to feel sympathy for them and there situation. Showing the girls in this light is typical to that of the thriller genre, as they are often portrayed as being vulnerable and in danger, as they are at the mercy of the antagonist. This is convectional to the thriller genre as creating a relationship between the characters and viewer when the characters in the film are in a bad situation creates a sympathetic atmosphere, in which the viewer wants them to get out of there situation unharmed, by doing so keeping the viewer on edge, creating suspense and tension, allowing for the producer to create surprising moments for the viewer.
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| Figure 1: scared expression of one of the girls mentioned |
Slow editing is used while the girl is running away from the doctor, shortly after she broke out of the operating table near the middle part of the clip. During this segment, very little editing is used in comparison to moments previously; this contrast in editing creates a tense atmosphere, creating suspense for the viewer. By having a song segment in which not much editing is present, it builds tension and suspense for the viewer as slowing the pace of editing creates tension for the viewer as they are unaware as to what is going to occur next. This is convectional to the thriller genre as the atmosphere created from the build up in tension and suspense keeps the viewer on edge, keeping them engaged with the situation. As the viewer is now engaged, it is easier for the producer to surprise the viewer as they are paying full attention as to what is happening in the current scene, enabling for jump scares and tense moments due to the situation the characters on screen are facing as the viewer has created a relationship with the characters on screen and feels empathy for the girls.
Linking shots are used at the beginning of the segment, in which the camera goes from filming one girl to the other in which one is shown escaping from the operating table, and the other is being abused by the doctor. This could be done so that the situation/perspective of both girls are shown (including there facial expressions once again), in doing so it adds an emotional impact of sympathy to a scene which allready has a unpleasant atmosphere due to what is occurring on screen and the theme of the film. This is because focusing on the scared facial expression of both of the victim girls makes the audience feel sympathy for them as they have no resistance for the antagonist, as they are portrayed as being vulnerable due to them being overpowered by the antagonist, being unable to resist his actions. This is conventional to the thriller genre as by using this editing technique creates a connection between the viewer and character at the beginning of the scene, which enables the producer to include a tense follow up scene (similar to that in this film), creating surprise and suspense for the viewer.
Linking of a section is used near the end of the segment. This is during the shots in which the girls is running away from the doctor and hides in the room (figure 2 showing her entering the room), which then it skips to the doctor walking slowly down the corridor, swiftly after it shows the doctor shaking the handle on the door aggressively, as the girl backs away from the door. This could be done to create tension and surprise as the pace of the scene increases drastically, during the same scene the music goes silent while the doctor is shaking on the door, which adds to the tension/suspense of the scene. As previous parts of the scene before use slow editing, the contrast in pace as to what is on screen emphases the severity of the girls situation, further adding towards the tension and suspense being exposed for the viewer. This is conventional to the thriller genre as the use of editing in this segment puts the viewer on edge, as the unpleasant situation of the character emphasised and the main thriller conventions of tension and suspense are created by doing so.
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| Figure 2: Running away from the doctor |
Linking shots are used at the beginning of the segment, in which the camera goes from filming one girl to the other in which one is shown escaping from the operating table, and the other is being abused by the doctor. This could be done so that the situation/perspective of both girls are shown (including there facial expressions once again), in doing so it adds an emotional impact of sympathy to a scene which allready has a unpleasant atmosphere due to what is occurring on screen and the theme of the film. This is because focusing on the scared facial expression of both of the victim girls makes the audience feel sympathy for them as they have no resistance for the antagonist, as they are portrayed as being vulnerable due to them being overpowered by the antagonist, being unable to resist his actions. This is conventional to the thriller genre as by using this editing technique creates a connection between the viewer and character at the beginning of the scene, which enables the producer to include a tense follow up scene (similar to that in this film), creating surprise and suspense for the viewer.
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| Figure 3: showing the situation of the other woman, as well as the other (refer to figure 1) |
Linking of a section is used near the end of the segment. This is during the shots in which the girls is running away from the doctor and hides in the room (figure 2 showing her entering the room), which then it skips to the doctor walking slowly down the corridor, swiftly after it shows the doctor shaking the handle on the door aggressively, as the girl backs away from the door. This could be done to create tension and surprise as the pace of the scene increases drastically, during the same scene the music goes silent while the doctor is shaking on the door, which adds to the tension/suspense of the scene. As previous parts of the scene before use slow editing, the contrast in pace as to what is on screen emphases the severity of the girls situation, further adding towards the tension and suspense being exposed for the viewer. This is conventional to the thriller genre as the use of editing in this segment puts the viewer on edge, as the unpleasant situation of the character emphasised and the main thriller conventions of tension and suspense are created by doing so.
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| Figue 4: door handle being shaking |
Conclusion
The research I have conducted will help me when I go to create my own thriller sequence because editing styles are essential to creating a good thriller sequence. By researching on all the various difference types and examples from real films, it will enable me to decide which types of editing I will use with my own sequence. When I go to create the opening sequence, I intend to include slow editing and shot reverse shots. Shot reverse shots shall be used during segments which have dialogue, in which the camera will go from showing one character to an other so that more significance is brought towards the characters individually as the opening sequence will only consist of a small number of people present in the production, therefore it will be essential to draw significance towards them individually. I intend to use slow editing during long segments in which the victim is in a position of danger, as it is a common convention used within thriller sequences, to the effect of building tension and suspense; two main thriller conventions.
The research I have conducted will help me when I go to create my own thriller sequence because editing styles are essential to creating a good thriller sequence. By researching on all the various difference types and examples from real films, it will enable me to decide which types of editing I will use with my own sequence. When I go to create the opening sequence, I intend to include slow editing and shot reverse shots. Shot reverse shots shall be used during segments which have dialogue, in which the camera will go from showing one character to an other so that more significance is brought towards the characters individually as the opening sequence will only consist of a small number of people present in the production, therefore it will be essential to draw significance towards them individually. I intend to use slow editing during long segments in which the victim is in a position of danger, as it is a common convention used within thriller sequences, to the effect of building tension and suspense; two main thriller conventions.
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| Figure 5: The doctor shown standing near the end of the corridor, before the scene swap |
The editing points that you have identified demonstrates your understanding of editing well. However, your analysis is rather basic and this is because you have not fully written a PEER analysis and have merged all the points together, which overall makes this post a little basic.
ReplyDeleteTherefore, you need to read over your points and ensure that you elaborate on all your points. This can also be achieved, by focusing more on the codes and conventions of a thriller.
Also within your summary, you need to consider certain editing styles that you would like to include to include and why?
This post now demonstrates a proficient understanding of how editing styles are used within the thriller genre. You have now written your analysis using the PEER format and you have also focused on the conventional elements well.
ReplyDelete