Task 10 - Understanding Pace

Speed of Editing
Usually, a scene lasts a matter of seconds or it could continue for a few minutes but the length of each sequence reveals the pace of the film moving the action along. The speed of editing allows you to determine the mood of the scene that is taking place on screen. If the audience was the feel a sense of anxiety and suspense the editing between scenes will be quick and the shots will change frequently. For example in 'The Bourne Ultimatum' 

If a relaxed mood is desired, like in a romantic comedy, the scenes will last longer and change less frequently. This is showed in 'The Notebook'

'Russian Ark' was one of the first films to have no editing in it whatsoever. It was filmed in one take using a steadicam and a digital camera. This required split-second timing and organisation.

In relation to trailers, they need to be packed with detail therefore the editing will be very fast. As shown in the trailer for 'Creed'

Cross Cutting
To cross-cut is to edit together in a way that the audience would understand that both shots are connected in some way. For example, two things happening at the same time but at different locations or a character reminiscing. This is shown in the movie 'Inception'

Development of Drama
Cross cutting is usually used to develop drama. This is a very effective technique a shown in the movie 'Scream' when the death of a character is made more dramatic due to the cross cutting used to show her parents almost making it home in time to save her life.

Engaging The Viewer - Cutaways - Creating Pace

These three connect with each other. Cutaways allows the audience to focus on one individual character. Here is an example of one from the movie '300'

This engages the viewer because it is as if we as the audience are in the personal space of a character which makes us feel like we have a part of the film ourselves. 

   Creating pace in a scene engages the viewer because of the speed that the shots are moving you have to focus in order to keep up with everything that is going on. This occurs in any fast scene. It's an example of following the action. Creating pace can be an instant or a gradual technique. In some movies, they are spontaneous with the way they change speeds; one scene will be relaxed and then the next will be fast and snappy. An example of a gradually fast scene would be 'Fast and Furious' -