Editing and Transitions!

Hi!

This week's blog post is about the different editing transitions and techniques used in film. I've chosen the opening of a classic 1995 movie: "Clueless"

Here is the clip of the movie I've decided to analyze for different forms of editing:

Here are some of the editing techniques I found:

1. Firstly, the editor uses a fade at 0:01 where the screen goes from black to the opening of the movie where the video network and company are displayed. This editing technique adds to the construction of meaning by helping to seamlessly introduce the audience in a simple yet well-rounded way. By taking the viewers from the plain black color into the start of the film, they’re encouraged to feel curious about the next scenes and how the film will begin. 

2. Then, at 0:33 the editor chose to include a montage of the protagonist, Cher, and her friends having fun and laughing at restaurants, pool parties, and while driving. This, in addition to the mise-en-scène shown in this series of short takes, (costumes of swimsuits and short, tight clothing) adds to the construction of meaning by implying the physical location and seasonal timing of the movie. The audience can easily infer that the characters are in some place warm during the summer. By showing the different montage clips in quick secession, the choice of editing also establishes the chaotic and wild personalities of the characters. 

3. Also, the very first clip of the montage at 0:33 is a short jump cut of Cher and her friend pushing each other and laughing in a crowd of people. This specific editing technique adds to the construction of meaning by emphasizing the rapidness of youth and how quickly the characters’ high school days went by. The jump cut may remind viewers of their own childhood days, as well as add a feeling of nostalgia regarding the erratic and fluctuating actions of teenagers. 

4. Later, at 1:05 there’s an eyeline match of Cher’s computer. It shows the computer screen of a mismatched outfit first and then her reaction of disgust and displeasure to what’s on the screen. The eyeline match adds to the construction of meaning by helping to set up the era of the film since the clothing shown on the computer screen is from the late 1990s.  The audience is encouraged to feel more connected to the protagonist as they learn about her likes and dislikes in fashion, from her reaction to the outfit.  

5. Later, at 1:15 there’s a long take of Cher’s computer screen again, but this time, she finds the perfect outfit with help from her outfit-making program. This simply further emphasizes Cher’s tastes in fashion and adds to the world-building. The audience gets to know the protagonist and the setting they’re in further. 

6. Additionally, the editor chooses to use an eye trace at 1:25 to lead the viewers' focus from Cher’s father to their frightened maid as the protagonist voiceovers the entire clip. This adds a comedic effect to the film by introducing other characters in a creative way that doesn’t disrupt the flow of the scene. The audience gets their first impression of the characters and is more receptive to Cher’s opinion in how she describes them. 

7. Then, at 1:35 the film utilizes an ellipsis. Cher is now seen fully dressed in the kitchen pouring a glass of juice for her father, where only seconds before, she was picking out her outfit on her computer. This adds to the construction of meaning because it purposefully moves the storyline along without including mundane moments that wouldn’t capture the audience’s attention. The viewers must assume and fill in the gaps of Cher getting dressed, although the film doesn’t exactly show it.  

8. Next, at 1:50 there’s a J-cut while Cher is arguing with her father where viewers can hear the music from the next scene before they're shown it. This editing technique smoothly transitions viewers from one scene to another and adds to the construction of meaning by thoughtfully carrying the audience from a tense argument to a light-hearted car-ride. Viewers are encouraged to feel more involved in Cher’s daily life as the film takes them through her morning routine. 

9. Penultimately, there’s a straight cut at 2:09 where the editor cuts from Cher’s kitchen to her drive down an unspecified road. This adds to the construction of meaning because it moves the story along at a preferable pace and it helps encourage the audience to feel curious about what will occur next. 

10. Lastly, there’s another ellipsis at 2:24 as viewers are taken directly from the road Cher is driving down, to her destination of her friend, Dion’s, house. This adds to the construction of meaning because it deliberately advances the plot without introducing uninteresting scenes that might detract from the audience's experience. This forces the audience to, again, fill in the gaps in what is not shown, like the true time it took her to reach Dion’s house. 

That's just a few of the editing transitions and techniques in this opening clip of "Clueless"! I think the editing in this film really adds to the iconic, fun-loving characters and brings a sense of comedy and dramatic irony to the entire film. Thank you for reading!