History of Editing

Flatbed Editor 

Is a machine used as a motion picture , the key features include images and sound which is generated by plates which then maintains the high standards of synchronization between the key elements.

Flatbed Editor Work Process

Preparation: - the preparations use a method called: double system, which means the moving images are captured by film and the sound is recorded by a separate devise. The next step includes the sound being developed to a ''mag'' track, one frame of ''mag'' track equals one frame of moving images, coding is also used to number the labels on the corner of the last couple of frames for key scenes.

Synchronizing: - Because the sound and pitcher are separate features, making the synchronization challenging to combine, however the editor uses a magnetic roll to find the clap sound, when found he makes a note and puts both rolls in synchronization.     

Editing: - The editor watches the pitcher and when they need to cut they take note, so they cut at the right point and then they add the sound roll to make sure the pitcher and sound are in sync, then repeats the same process for the next shot.

Non Linear Editing

Is a video and audio system that allows a more natural approach, allowing the film maker to store work on their hard drives and video servers, rather than taking the linear editing approach which includes old film reels and tapes. The first system for Non Linear Editing was the CMX 600 and was released in 1971 and backed by major brands such as; CBS & Memorex. The CMX 600 was ground breaking technology and could store up to thirty minutes of data in a black and white format, however one of the main unique features allowed an editor to cut and edit using a light pen, which allowed an editor to be hand on with their work. However in today’s current market there are software’s that have Non Linear feature which downgrades costs and provide better and simpler software, examples include; IMovie for apple computers, Kdenlive and Windows Movie Maker.

 Steenbeck

Is an Iconic brand that produces Flatbed film editing suites, the company was created in Hamburg Germany by Wilhelm Steenbeck in 1931, were they created twenty five thousand machines that are located in multiple destinations around the world, however the company have moved their headquarters to Venray in the Netherlands where they still create film software, it is now digitally based, due to the growth of competition in the film editing industry.  

Photograph of Steenbeck Flatbed Suite.

Early Editing

One of the earliest film editing experiences was used on ‘Life of an American Fireman’, which was directed by Edwin S. Porter and the film includes unique features such as an American narrative format and what made this film so iconic is its use of editing that Edwin S. Porter has created, by having a narrative over seven scenes and rendered in only nine shots, which was out of the ordinary in the year 1903. Porter followed his vision on his next film ‘The Great Train Robbery.

 

Classic Editing

In the classic stages of editing, editors used basic set-ups what consisted of; wide shot, mid shot and ended with a close up, example of these shot types where very popular in the 1930's to 1950's and was demonstrated in the remake of Alice in Wonderland (1933) which was directed by Norman Z. McLeod and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

60’s Editing

The 60's was known for making surrealist content and editing styles, which was show in Dennis Hopper’s ‘Easy Rider’ (1969) which tells the story of two bikers who travel through the American south. 


Surrealist editing was popular during the 1960’s, allowing the audience to experience different points of views, which was not used a lot in the years before.

70’s -80’s Editing 

The Post classical editing also known as the MTV Style changes the landscape of Editing globally and became a key feature of American culture. The technique includes very fast shot types, which keeps the visual footage edgy sand more interesting, with shot types ranging  from five to eight seconds unlike the eight-eleven seconds used in the 1930's. The fast paste style targets teens that like content that is going to keep them intrigued over a long period of time, the style also captured the attention of directors in the film industry who used the MTV Style including Sam Peckinpah's ‘The Wild Bunch’ (1969).




90’s – CGI

CGI stands for computer generated imagery, which creates some of the world’s greatest visual features and brings them to life by using online technology, which allows the editor to change or add, for example in Terminator 2 theirs a ILM sequence were the antagonist Terminator is found and he pours himself into a helicopter seat and changes himself into a human being. Jurassic Park (1993) also uses CGI to create the illusion of the dinosaurs in one of the most iconic film scenes ‘’Welcome to Jurassic Park’’.

90’s – Now 

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) uses ground breaking CGI throughout the film, which resulted in the production of the film taking six years (other reasons were involved as well) , they started the production back in 2007 and the film only got released in 2012. The Hobbit also uses forty eight frames per second for digital footage, which shows the detail put into the film and I have attached a in bedded video to demonstrate the Editing elements being used.

Pioneers of Editing and Products used.

D.W. Griffith

He was born in Crestwood, Kentucky and attended a one room school house , which he was taught by his  sister. However, he got started in the performing arts as a play writer, but had a minuet amount of accomplishment at the start of his career. So he attempted acting, but yet had little success.

Griffiths first big break as an actor was in Edwin S. Portner’s new motion pitcher at the America Mutoscope and Biograph Company, the company nearly went bust.  However, after Edwin S. Portner’s death and lack of opportunities he was given the main director job and directed over four hundred short length films, which helped him develop his skills as a storyteller.

Griffith’s inspires upcoming film makers with his preciseness & accuracy to edit.  Griffith uses techniques such as: flashbacks and cross cutting to create effect and emphasis. D.W. Griffith’s most known and respected film is the ‘’The Birth of a Nation’’, which demonstrates precise camera shots and angles.

Images of D.W. Griffith.

Products used to set a landmark in the film industry 

During this time period, Moviola was introduced to film making, which allows editors to watch the film, whilst being able to edit. This significant piece of film making and editing equipment was invented by Iwan Serrurier in 1924. Also, the flat-bed editing machine was used for motion pitcher film editing and designed for pitcher and sound, brands such as Keller-Elektro-Mechanik and Steenbeck created products.

The photograph is of Moviola.

Current Outlook of Editing in the Film Industry

Current Outlook of the Film Industry 

The most common way an independent film maker would edit films is digitally, using software such as final cut pro and Sony Vegas pro, the programs allows film makers to edit whilst watching footage and being able to add non diegetic sounds/music to create effect and meaning.

Home Alone Trailer (1990)

For film trailers it is common to have a voice-over/narrator to help tell the story. Don Fontaine is the epitome of voice-overs; his voice has been heard in iconic films/film trailers such as: the Transformers, Cast Away, Cheaper by the Dozen and Home Alone( which is shown in the video clip above).      

Taken from Avatar (2009)

Avatar (2009) set a landmark in the film industry by being the first full length 3D film, by using brand new motion pitcher effects to capture the imagination of the audience. Incorporated with composed music by James Horner who composed the transcending film and has worked with the iconic film director James Cameron on films such as; Titanic and Aliens. 


Cameron conducted himself with a team of 900 visual effect workers, to work on the blockbuster that changed the film industry with the use of: new and improved sound effects and computer generated imagery.

Early Days of Film Editing

Early Days of Film Editing 

Film editing is used to create effect and is used for collaborations and sequences. Cinematography editing was first notably introduced in the early century. But the risk that film makers had was to adapt different shots due to the audience be uneducated and may result in them be confused and provoke them to lose interest.

The early stages of film editing led to ‘’primitive ‘’ editing that was used to makes basic sequences and combinations. Directors found that it was a good technique to tell story’s/plots. Early examples of ‘’Primitive’’ editing was used in; Rescued by Rover (1905) who was directed by Lewin Fitzhamon and Cecil M. Hepworth, the film is about a dog with the combination of a woman kidnapping a new born baby. These two story-lines combined together with the use of ‘primitive’ editing, captured the hearts of the audience with the story and sequences used in the film. Examples of ‘‘primitive’’ editing has been used in the video clip just below with the title: ‘’ Cecil Milton Hepworth: Rescued by Rover (1905)’’

Cecil Milton Hepworth: Rescued by Rover (1905)

The Great Train Robbery (1903) is known for one of the earliest narrative film story line which captured the respect of fellow film makers and led by example, the plot is based on a group of wiled cowboys who result in kidnapping passengers on a nearby train. This film was a landmark in cinema, because it includes; multiple exposure techniques: which is where there is one platform with multiple shots over a period of time. Cross cutting was also introduced in the film which is: where there is more than one action shot taken place and by cross cutting it allows the director to capture the importance of the action shot with a variety of camera angles. Also the use of on location shot, that is demonstrated in the clip from ‘’The Great Train Robbery (1903)’’.

The Great Train Robbery (1903)