Learning everything about editing through the videos shown in class

While watching the two videos, I started noticing how editing plays a huge role in storytelling. At first, I didn’t really think much about how things were put together, but after analyzing them, I realized how every little choice impacts how a scene feels. In the Katniss Everdeen scene, when she saves her sister, there’s a lot of quick cuts and close-ups that really highlight the emotion. The shot-reverse shot and eyeline matching stood out to me because they made everything feel more intense. The cutting was also important because it controlled the pacing, making the moment feel urgent. I also noticed different types of cuts, like jump cuts that added energy, match cuts that smoothly transitioned between actions, and cross-cutting that built suspense by switching between different moments. These choices made the scene feel more dramatic and heightened the emotional stakes.

Then with The Princess Bride scene, the mise-en-scène really stood out to me. The colors, costumes, and framing helped tell the story visually. The man in black’s mask and the girl’s bright red outfit made them stand out, and the way the shots were framed made him look more in control. The back-and-forth shots between the two characters built suspense, and the 180-degree rule made sure we always understood their positions.

I also started paying more attention to transitions and effects. Some cuts were sharp and quick, while others lingered for dramatic effect. Seeing these techniques in action helped me understand how editors use them to shape a story. Learning about these things made me appreciate film more and also gave me ideas for how I could use similar techniques in my own projects.