Research into editing styles - Miss Georgiou

Editing is one of the most important features within the creation of a thriller film, it is used to enhance the impact of a film and grab the audiences attention through their emotional responses. The editing within a clip is used solely to give the audience an insight of what they will be seeing though out the film and also sets an overall tone and  atmosphere of the film. Furthermore editing is responsible for the way the audience feels during and after the film; for example: slow-paced editing may be used within a dramatic scene in order to calm down the atmosphere of the scene. Editing has a huge impact on a films atmosphere and the audiences response to the film. For example, where there is fast editing the audience may feel a sense of thrill, and where there is slow paced editing, the audience may feel empathy or relaxed depending on the scene. 

The editing used within this scene does an excellent job in depicting not only physical but also the psychological characteristics of Hannibal Lecter. The first editing technique I chose to analyse was the timing of shots between the guards when they are brining Hannibal his dinner and also when we see Hannibal behind the screen. The timing of the shots are relatively slow this suggests that everything is ordinary and normal. The timing also creates suspense as the audience know that Hannibal is very cleaver and know what he is capable of. Later on in the scene the timing of the shots become much faster and are only shown on scene for split seconds, this may try and reflect Hannibal heart rate increasing as the guards get nearer the time of the shots get quicker. This leaves the audience anticipating the events to follow having them on the edge of their seats as they follow Hannibal every move.

Secondly is the kuleshov effect this is where one shot could have two possible meanings. The shot I am analysing is where the audience see Hannibal is in his cell walking towards the two guards with a pin in his hand, the implied meaning of this shot is that Hannibal is going to use the pin to escape or hurt the guards to try and get out of his cell. As well as creating suspense it also gives the audience evidence of his focus and determination. This editing technique is very simple but allows progression of the scene, as it portrays his calm outer shell but also his insidious plan. After the guards enter, Lecter does not greet them straight away. Rather, he walks up to the cell bars and says 'good evening gentlemen' This conveys to the audience the aggressive and anxious mind-set that Lecter has during this scene.

The next editing shot that is used is the shot reverse shot this is used between Hannibal and the two guards during the conversation. A shot reverse shot is a type of continuity editing which in this scene is used to show Hannibal talking to each of the guards and them talking back to him During the conversation Hannibal looks at the guards with a completely straight face as to look at which one he needs to kill or brutally injure in order to escape. This editing gives the audience a chance to understand his need to prepare himself for escape. The fact that the shot reverse shot is used on their faces to create a distraction from the pin in between his fingers.This shows the conversation between all three characters between the cell's bars. This is conventional as the bars signify how isolated Hannibal is from the rest of society which is common for the antagonist to be detached from the rest of the world. For the audience the shot reverse shot used means they can easily follow the conversation. 

The final editing technique that i identified was a reaction shot shown on the guards face after Hannibal had hand cuffed him to the prison cell. This takes place after a full two minutes.minutes. Lecter unlocks the handcuffs. As one of the guards is about to grab the tray of food, then Lecter handcuffs him to a cells bar. Lecter says to the guard "looks like i got you" after this line is said a reaction shot of the guards face is shown. This implicates to the audience that Hannibal has a sick and twisted habit of having his own way and will do whatever it takes for him to get it, including assaulting his prison guards. Further this creates shock and surprise as the power between the two of them has completely changed. The guard should be the one with the most authority but now that Hannibal has made him so vulnerable their roles have switched which is commonly seen n thriller films as usually the antagonists have more power than the victim. 

From researching editing techniques i have learned the different styles of editing, how they should look and what effect they should have on the audience. From writing this post i have seen why editing is significantly important in thriller films the editing should be used to make the audience feel a certain emotion such as scared, surprised or shocked. For example the speed of editing helps determine the mood and atmosphere of the scene. Further in my own thriller i am planning to use a number of these techniques. When using these certain editing techniques i will know how they can be used effectively.