LO1 - Editing analysis

Editing is the process of arranging footage to create a narrative, applying SFX and manipulating audio and music. Edit essentially means to take out. In editing there are many different styles and methods of achieving a certain type of shot or effect. One of these techniques is called shot reverse shot structure  this is where you juxtapose two images in order to create a link between them this is usually used in conversation between characters. In X-Men Days of Future Past there are a few examples of this one such example being when Wolverine first meats Beast, the camera switches  between over the shoulder perspectives of the two characters as they exchange dialogue and later leads to a confrontation between the two. This clip takes place at a disequilibrium as Wolverine needs to find allies in order to help him complete his task. The connotations of this could be struggle and fear as Beast is very reluctant to help Wolverine perhaps implying that Wolverine has some previously unknown dominance over Beast. The effect on the audience could be that feel intrigue to see where this scene will lead on from here.

 Another editing technique is action match. This is where an action began in one shot and is then seen within a different shot type. A few examples of this can be seen within  X-Men Days of Future Past one such example being located within the previously discussed scene involving Wolverine and Beast. The shot denotes Wolverine walking down a corridor and Beast pursuing him he then does a flip off a bookcase, this is when the shot transitions behind him latching onto a chandelier and then finishes with a shot from over Wolverines shoulder. This connotes aggression and fear for the opposite character. The representations of this are that it reinforces the male stereotype of males being dominant but at the same time offers a power struggle as the previously dominant male has become the subordinate. The effect on the audience could be that they are thrilled by this sudden change in power and want to see if these positions of power shift or stay the same.

Another editing technique we will look at is called crosscutting this refers to an editing sequence that cuts between two or more narrative events that are occurring in different places simultaneously. There are many examples of quick cross cuts but there will usually be main locations in which the story will cut too. In X-Men Days of Future Past there are two main locations that are frequently cut too these are the future and 1970s Washington. The reason why we are shown these cross cuts is too have multiple characters different perspectives on certain situations that are currently effecting both past and present eras. the connotations of this could be loss and hope because we are seeing a bleak situation but are then shown the good outcomes that benefit the future characters.  The effect on the audience could be that they are enveloped in the story as they can see outcomes that benefit and hinder the future characters.

Another editing technique we are going to look at is an insert shot. This is a close up shot designed to draws the viewer or audiences attention to something that was only part of the previous shot. This is usually a prop, used to connote used to show or signify something's importance to the narrative. This can be seen within the scene of magneto recovering his helmet from the pentagon. The shot denotes a large corridor but then gradually zooms in on the helmet before magneto decides to recover. This connotes importance and significance this is because the helmet is an important plot point to the story. the effect on the audience could be that they know wonder why this helmet is so significant and what part it could play later in the film.

The final technique we will be looking at is eyeline match. This is a kind of shot reverse shot structure which knows what a character is looking at. We can see an example of this in the scene where Mystique attacks a boardroom of men. The scene denotes Mystique looking at a board member on the table who is looking back at her, she then kicks him down the table and into a soldier. This connotes aggression and tension as there is a brief moment where it looks like mystique is on the back foot and she may fail. The effect on the audience could be a gripping one as they do not know whether mystique will succeed with her given task or if she may fail.