Editing Analysis

When creating a documentary, it is important to include observational, interviews and archival material. Especially in an explanatory documentary like ours since these various types of filming combined and edited correctly creates a solid piece.

Motion picture editing - is basically the act of shortening and rearranging audio visual material, and can include the addition of music, sound effects, graphics, animation, voice-over narration and other elements as needed for the unfolding of the film story. In our audience research it will be important to locate what specific type of filming our product should be based on as it is usually the audience who best recognizes what specific should be included, whether we should focus on emotional message, educational or psychological response.

Again looking at Sugar Rush which is another diabetes documentary the following editing techniques are found.

180 degree rule - the invisible line between two people talking with the camera being placed on one side and being able to move anyone with 180 degrees of the line to keep screen direction constant. This helps the general flow of conversations and makes it easier for audiences to interpret both emotions and what is being said.

 Non continuity - Many film pieces are edited into a continued film, for documentaries this is not common. You jump between different scenes are settings, usually texts or animations are displayed to break the continuity. Interviews are very hard to make continuity as well. We intend to follow this and include this technique and it is essential in making a good documentary.

Cross cutting- This is when you jump between two parts of the story line, this is done a lot especially between the interviews. this also backs up the statement that it is non continuity.  

Establishing shot- A shot of the location where the action is going to help take place, this is done a lot and we plan to use this when we for example are interviewing experts we want to firstly use this shot of the building or office they are working at. It helps the audience get their bearings and understand where they are.

Reaction shot- Show the reaction of one person over an action or situation. Sugar Rush uses this, it reveals certain facts about diabetes and then present them to the public and record their reactions. We most probably will not use this technique since we are not trying to inform people about issues of diabetes but focus more on preventing diabetes in the first place.