The editing processes in film making : a practical approach inspired by prominent filmmakers

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to delve deeper into the works of three prodigious filmmakers; Tim Burton, Steven Spielberg and David Fincher. The main focus of the research is the style and use of editing techniques that said filmmakers employ to make their films so successful. The product of this dissertation is a short film that incorporates the filmmakers’ postproduction techniques that were studied and personally observed. This journey is highlighted in the methodology journal. The vision for this film was to capture a mundane situation and make it seem as though it is greater than it actually is in real life. The literature review of this dissertation begins with a study of the development of film editing. The main focus of this chapter in the prestigious work of the prominent filmmakers in question, specifically the editing techniques they make use of. In the analysis, I examine how the editing techniques I personally observed, are used effectively in their films and compare them to how I used them in the short film. Moreover, as part of the process of this research I discover their cinematographic style, which is hinted at in the short film. As I alternated between the use of continuity editing and visible editing, I managed to incorporate their work while also giving the short film; ‘Less Than 5 Minutes’, my own unique take as a director and editor.