Conventions and Techniques: 7. 180 Degree Rule

Nick McCabe

In filmmaking, the 180-degree rule is a basic guideline regarding the on-screen spatial relationship between an actor and another actor or object within a scene. An imaginary line called the axis is based between the characters  and by keeping the camera on one side of this axis for every shot in the scene, the first character will always be frame right of the second character, who is then always frame left of the first. If the camera was to pass over the axis, it is referred to as “crossing the line or jumping the line”.

Conventions and Techniques: 8. Splicing

Alyx Entwistle

A film splicer is a device which can be used to physically join together lengths of film.

There are many different types of film splicing, like…

CEMENT SPLICERS

Cement splicers joins films together by using a chemical known as ‘film cement’. It is made of film base dissolved in a solvent. Film editors use a version with tiny overlaps to edit any film negatives, although long overlaps are preferred.

TAPE SPLICERS

Here a piece of thin transparent adhesive tape is used to join the two ends. The tape may be pre-perforated, or the splicer may make perforations as the splice is made (this type of splicer is sometimes referred to as guillotine splicer).

Tape splicers can be used on all types of film. This is the most popular way to join polyester prints in theaters.

ULTRASOUND SPLICERS

These splicers use an ultrasonic signal to melt the film together. They are generally used with polyester film, and are used in splicing microfilm as the splice will not break down over time as a tape splice might.

THERMAL PAPER SPLICERS

Used in film processing labs to join film into large rolls before processing. These use a plastic coated tab to make the splice. The tab is heated and the plastic melts slightly, bonding to the film. The tabs are often printed with a number or bar code to identify the film after processing.

Conventions and Techniques: 6. Parallel Editing

Alyx Entwistle

Parallel editing is when two scenes are edited together which create a seamless scene which make out that the two separate scenes are happening at the same time. It is very similar to cross cutting.

Parallel editing is when the editor shows two different scenes of action but makes them relate in some way. It can be simple but easy for the viewer to pick up on. It is a good technique to use in film as it puts emphasis on other characters which make the story much more interesting. DW Griffith was known for the first ever parallel action.

An example of parallel editing in film occurs during the 1991 film ‘Silence of the Lambs’. We see the police gather round a house; throughout the scene we believe it to be the home of the serial killer, Buffalo Bill. The parallel editing takes place when we see inside the house; Buffalo Bill is keeping a young woman hostage. Outside the police are planning their raid. After a minute and half or so, the doorbell rings. We see the police knock on the door. It is an undercover cop pretending to be a delivery man.  The audience is surprised however as when Buffalo Bill answers the door, Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) appears. It becomes apparent that the police have gone to the wrong house, and the rookie cop Starling has walked into the house of a serial killer all by herself.



Conventions and Techniques: 5. Jump-Cutting

Nick McCabe

A jump cut is a cut in film editing in which two sequential shots of the same subject are taken from camera positions that vary only slightly .The way this technique is used , it appears as though the shot is jumping hence “jump cut”. Jump cuts, in contrast, draw attention to the constructed nature of the film.

Conventions and Techniques: 4. Montage

Alyx Entwistle

A montage is a technique used in film/TV where a series of small scenes are edited together to make one sequence that progresses the action along very quickly, in order to shorten the length of the movie. By using a montage it means that scenes aren’t unnecessarily long. They are usually used to suggest the passage of time, with a heavy soundtrack in the background.

Montages are heavily used in sport films. It will begin with someone struggling at first before gradually getting better. I have used this montage from Rocky IV, this is seen as one of the most famous montages of all time.

Conventions and Techniques: 3. Motivated

Nick McCabe

In its most basic form, a motivated edit is one that alludes to something not in the frame and then cuts to that item or event. You see it all the time in horror films: a woman is standing in a spooky place all alone and then hears a startling sound. She spins her head around and sees nothing. The sound then comes from another area, and the soon-to-be victim jerks her head in that direction. Eventually, the viewing audience gets to see the object of terror, usually along with a loud, startling sound. The scene in which the second person is killed in the recent vampire film, 30 Days of Night, is a perfect example.

Conventions and Techniques: 2. Continuity

Alyx Entwistle

Continuity is a term in film/TV that means that a series of shots from one scene should fit together with no changes. For example, if someone is wearing sunglasses over their eyes in one shot, they shouldn’t be resting on the characters head the next time they are in shot.

Many people believe that inconsistencies in a film’s continuity should be seen as mistakes and place the blame on the films editor. However, in the directors eyes, continuity is pretty much bottom of the pile in terms of their list of priorities.

Here is a video from the Film Riot YouTube account where they explain why continuity errors can ruin films and also gives some examples of continuity errors.