Editing Techniques

After being given the new assignment the first thing I did was to find some examples to gain some inspiration and ideas for my own film. However immediately I came across a problem, this was that I did not know the name of the editing style and therefore could not search for short films with the technique presented in the project. So I did some research and found some editing techniques that appear to be relevant to the technique that fits my brief. The editing techniques I came across which helped my find some video clips are Fast cutting, Jump cuts and Hip hop montage.

Fast Cutting

Fast cutting is a series of consecutive shots that have been cut into a short time period. It is utilized in a variety of media forms and is often used to create excitement for dramatic purposes. It can be used to subject chaos and energy into a scene.

Jump Cuts

This editing technique concentrates on the difference from one shot to the next. So its focus is to have an overstated movement from one shot to the next. Unlike Fast cutting Jump cuts do not need to be shot in a short period of time, they vary for different film styles.

Hip Hop Montage

Hip hop montage is a relatively new and modern term given as a sub-category of editing techniques. It is very similar to fast cutting and follows some of the rules. However Hip hop montages often have higher shot rates in a smaller period of time. This technique is made up from not only video but the use of sound effects. The sounds in the shots play a huge role in creating a successful Hip hop montage. As a result this technique is essentially fast cutting but with the addition of sound effects.

A well known movie director called Darren Aronofsky was the man who gave the editing style the name Hip Hop Montage. He featured this technique in some of his movies including Pi and Requiem for a Dream. There is a video clip below which demonstrates how Darren Aronofsky used hip hop montage in his films.