How Different Films Have Used the 5 Master Edits

Contrast: Forrest Gump

               In the beginning of this film we are shown the main character, Forrest, talking with a lady on a bench. Towards the end of their conversation Forrest starts making a scrunched up face to signify he's thinking really hard about something. As he's talking about his past and his childhood the camera cuts to him when he was younger making the same scrunched up face from before. Only this time he is grimacing because he is at the doctor's office, not because he is having a flashback. This scene specifically uses contrast editing because it is highlighting the difference between young Forrest and present Forrest, they are both making the same face but the movie makes sure to point out that the reasons for their grimace are different and that it is at different points in time.

Parallelism: Pocahontas

                 In this film we eventually reach the climax of the movie where the Native Americans are going to execute John Smith. In this specific scene, the tribe is getting ready for the execution while the colonists are getting ready to go head to head with the tribe and rescue John. The film makers make sure to show the viewer how this two groups are similar although throughout the movie you might think they are nothing alike. They do this by showing them essentially doing the same things in different locations while highlighting parallel features. In one cut the natives lift up their spears and then it cuts to the colonists lifting up their bayonets. Then it shows the tribe dancing by a fire while the colonists lift up their torches also lit up by fire. The filmmakers also include a close up of both groups. By using all of these separate videos and editing them together they were able to show how similar these groups actually are and how they are all getting ready to go to the same place. In this way they were able to use parallelism.

Symbolism: Moana

                  During this movie, there was a scene between the main character, Moana, and her grandmother in which they both are dancing on the beach and manta rays swim up to them in the ocean. When this happens, the grandmother tells Moana that when she passes away she'll come back as a manta ray. As she says this, she also points out that that's the reason she got a manta ray done as her tattoo. From here on out the filmmakers use manta rays to symbolize the grandma and her spirit that lives on in the ocean. In this particular scene, Moana is talking with her grandma as she lays in her deathbed. Moana then leaves her grandma (at her request) to pursue her journey and save the island, as she's drifting away from the shore a giant glowing manta ray is seen swimming past her and then jump up and out of the water, because of the symbolism established earlier in the movie the viewer knows that Moana's grandma has passed on and that she is the manta ray that just swam by her.

Simultaneity: Stranger Things

                    During this episode of the show we finally find out what happened to Barbs, the girl that went missing shortly after Will did, and during this scene this specific style of editing was used to build up suspense. Up until that point we hadn't had seen Barbs or knew where she was, although there were hints. This scene would finally establish whether Barbs would escape the upside down or if she would perish. During this particular scene Barbs wakes up in Nancy's pool but in  an alternate dimension called the 'Upside Down.' She quickly realizes she's not alone and that she was in danger, they then show her being chased by this thing. Then they cut to Nancy and her boyfriend in her room in the real world, this showcases that while all three are technically in the same location very different things are occurring at the same time. They continue to cut back and forth between them to make the viewer wonder what is going to occur and to keep everyone on their toes. Showing these things happening simultaneously built up anticipation for the audience.

Leitmotif: Easy A

                      During this film the main character Olive, talks about how all she's ever dreamed of is having a relationship like the ones in cheesy 80's romance films. She mentions how she wants guys to romance her traditionally rather than take her out to some fast food joint and then ask her inappropriate things. At the end of the movie (in this particular scene), her love interest finds out what she's really been looking for all this time and shows up to her house and plays music on a speaker outside her window. Olive hears him and goes downstairs to be reunited with him. The two make up and look past their differences and ride off on a lawnmower. This scene uses the Leitmotif editing style because it is alluding to two past films released in the 80's. When her love interest plays music outside Olive's window the filmmakers are referencing the drama "Say Anything" and when they both ride off on a lawn mower at the very end of the movie the filmmakers are also referencing a coming of age movie known as "Can't Buy Me Love." By subtly referencing these two movies during the film, they producers are using allusion to create a Leitmotif edit which allows the audience to make a connection.

5 Master Edits

Our Five Master Edits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0NLKKLfEGM

               The first editing style my partner and I used was a 'Contrast' edit, this is done by cutting between two different scenarios to highlight their differences. This edit took us five different shots to be able to recreate it. My partner (Madison) and I decided to film two drastically different personalities in order to really captivate the essence of this editing style. In our video, the viewer can clearly see one person being lazy and acting tired while the other is hyper and extremely active. This is shown by Madison running and jumping around while I lay down and keep trying to go to sleep.
              The second editing style my partner and I used was 'Parallelism,' this is done by connecting two different scenes by focusing on parallel features. This edit took us four different shots to be able to recreate it. We decided to film trash on a lunch table from one side and then Madison walking up to the table from another side. We made sure to film each shot from opposite sides in order to show parallelism in this type of edit.
                The third editing style we used was 'Symbolism,' this type of edit is achieved by cutting from the main scene to another which allows the audience to create a symbolic connection. This edit only took us two shots to be able to recreate it. Our scene starts out in the middle of the courtyard, the camera is focused on the Trojan logo plastered on the balcony of one of the buildings, we then pan to the ground where a Trojan head can be seen on the ground. The camera zooms in on the ground until all you can see is black and then it zooms back out only to showcase a Trojan Statue found at the front of the school. This allows the audience to create a connection between the initial logo and then the final shot of the statue, this illustrates school pride as well as our mascot.
              The fourth editing style Madison and I used was 'Simultaneity,' this edit is done by cutting between two events going on at the same time, this type of edit is usually used to create suspense. This edit also only took two shots to remake. We decided to take a video of an "airplane" flying in the sky and then cut to me waving from the ground up at it in order to achieve this style of edit. By doing so, we are able to convey to the audience that while the plane is flying above, someone is watching from below.
                  The fifth and final editing style we used was 'Leitmotif,' this style of editing is done by repeating a shot at key moments in order to create a sort of code. This edit took us 6 shots in order to be able to recreate it. The video started by showing me get angry and aggressive, it then cut to Zoe waving at me and then it cut back to me stomping my feet in anger in order to signify something bad might happen. I then walked over to Zoe and shoved her, then the camera showcases Madison reading a pamphlet. The camera then cuts back to me stomping over angrily in order to serve as a cue that I might become aggressive again. In the next shot, I can be seen walking over to Madison and also shoving her away. By repeatedly cutting back to me being angry, we were able to create a visual code which would signify to the viewer that someone would get hurt any time the camera panned back to me.

How Films Use Different Shots to Evoke Specific Emotions

I chose to comment on a couple of the camera shots used in the Korean Drama that I’m currently watching, this show is called “Oh My Ghost.” I chose to comment on this show specifically because Asian Dramas are known for using a variety of different intensified camera angles to create a sense of shock and sentimentality within their viewers. This particular K-Drama fits into the romance genre as it focuses on a shy kitchen assistant (Bong-sun) who gets possessed by the ghost of a confident young woman (Soon-ae) who needs to resolve her unfinished business in order for her to pass on to the afterlife. In order for the ghost to pass on she must find a boyfriend. This show has a lot of different twists and unexpected outcomes, because of this, the film makers had to use different camera shots to evoke the right feelings in their audience.

             The episode opens up with an establishing shot of the restaurant owned by Soon-ae’s father, the shot shows the surroundings, and sets up the overall mood of the following scene. It is sunny outside and it seems like there’s a breeze, this is a very cheery and happy environment. Just as it was mentioned in the article, ‘Use of Long Shot in Films’, the establishing shot illustrates a large location which in this case seems to be their neighborhood and judging by all the cars parked outside their business, they probably have a lot of customers. 

               The next scene shows Soon-ae greeting the customers in what seems to be a close shot, this can be distinguished because we can see her from the top of her head to her mid-waist. We are close enough to see her friendly demeanor and warm smile, this indicates that the mood of the restaurant is uplifting and that she genuinely enjoys working there. Right away, the audience can tell that this is a flashback because earlier in the show it was revealed that Soon-ae had actually passed away. Although this shot makes the atmosphere feel happy, the viewer can’t help but feel a bit pitiful by getting a glance at her past now knowing that she is a ghost.

                Following the flashback, we go back to the present and we see Bong-sun in an eye level shot. Since Soon-ae has possessed Bong-sun she was the one currently recalling the memories of her life when she was still alive, what triggered the rush of old memories was the fact that Bong-sun had run in to Soon-ae’s father at a police station. Because of the shot being used, the audience can focus on the character and we can see her getting emotional due to the nature of her situation. The article ‘Different Camera Angles Create Different Emotions’ mentions that since the camera is zoomed in on the subject’s face and shoulders, we should be able to feel whatever the character is feeling. The film makers were successful in recreating this shot because we can see the tears welling up in Bong-sun’s eyes as well as her sorrowful expression, this is effective in making the viewer also feel sad.

                  As the episode progresses, Bong-sun (who is possessed by Soon-ae) starts becoming closer to Soon-ae’s father. While they’re conversing at his restaurant there are several over the shoulder shots being showcased. We can tell that these are OTS shots because although they are in Bong-sun’s point of view part of the back of her head is still visible. The article ‘Different Camera Angles Create Different Emotions’ explains that these types of shots are supposed to make the viewer feel as if they are also experiencing the scene and that they should help illustrate how close the characters are. The film makers were able to recreate those feelings exactly, because of the angle, the audience can tell how comfortable the two characters are with each other. It also makes it seem like as if we were a third party observing their conversation.

                   The next notable shot in the episode is the two shot; this particular one was showcasing Bong-sun trying to convince her boss, Sun-woo, not to fire the sous chef at the restaurant they work at. This type of shot is usually used to film a conversation. The article ‘Different Camera Angles Create Different Emotions’ talks about how these shots add a level of intimacy between two characters, considering that Sun-woo is the main love interest of Bong-sun it would make sense that the film makers decided to use this particular shot for their conversation. We are able to see Bong-sun smiling at her boss and earlier in the scene even touching his arm in order to appear friendlier. This creates a sense of anticipation in the audience because we can see them beginning to get closer to each other and begin to like one another.

Angles and Emotions

I chose to comment on Zoe's and Woody's camera shots.

I commented the following on Zoe's blog:

1. Your reaction shot was cute. Your dog looked interested in what was going on off camera, it made me wonder what she was looking at. She looked confused but you did a good job conveying your intended emotion in the audience/viewer.

2. Your low angle shot was well conducted. Being so close to the ground made me feel as if I was smaller than the dog, almost as if I was toy on the ground or another animal/insect watching while remaining unnoticed itself.

3. Your close up shot was very relaxing to watch. It made me feel calm and at ease, almost as if I was at the beach myself. You did very well at executing it! Because of how close it was, I was able to notice small details in the sand and waves.

4. Your follow shot was interesting. This is in the sense that I felt like I was watching a vlog or following someone around while they went about their day. You were successful at making the viewer wonder where the subject was going, especially since we can’t see the whole scene.

I commented the following on Woody's blog:

1. Your dolly shot was decent. It was definitely a bit shaky but that might’ve been because it was your first time using a stabilizer. Even so, it created a sense of curiosity; this being finding out what was at the end of the hall.

2. Your choker shot was funny. I’m not sure if that was the emotion you were trying to evoke from the viewer but being that close allowed me to see just how uncomfortable your subject truly was, which was hilarious. You did a good job at executing the shot.

3. Your pan shot was beautiful. Something about the scenery was breathtaking, especially taken in the early morning, the video made it seem so peaceful which brought upon a sense of tranquility.

4. Your point of view shot was good. It truly made me feel as if I was watching the scene with your eyes, also your focus on the instrument in front of you gave the object some unknown significance. It made me feel as if it was important, even though I know it’s just a basic shot and that might not have been your intention.

These different types of shots evoked a plethora of feelings and emotions from the viewer, in the article we read it explained how low angle shots are supposed to make you feel like the subject is larger than it is. Zoe was successful in recreating this feeling because her low angle shot made the viewer feel like we were on the ground looking up, the focus on the subject (her dog) made it seem important. The article also mentions point of view shots, it says that these type of shots should make it feel like you've been place in a person's head and are looking through their eyes. Woody was also successful in recreating this feeling, panning the camera downwards and opening the case with his hand made it seem like he was looking down and that was what he saw. By using different angles when filming we are able to convey different types of emotions in our audience, this is because angles can set the attitude of the shot and this paired with the subject or topic at hand will make the mood clear to the viewer.