Grammar of the Edit
3rd Edition
Published on 6. March 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-0-240-52600-3 (ISBN)
Description
Tell more effective visual stories by learning the "grammar" of cinematic language with this elegant, accessible reference. Discover what you absolutely need to know to cut your own film or video, shot by shot. Whether you're a whiz with Avid or just discovered iMovie, the third edition of Grammar of the Edit gives you the answers to those all-important questions: WHEN to cut and WHY. Designed as an easy-to-use guide, the book presents each topic succinctly with clear photographs and diagrams illustrating the key concepts, and is a staple of any serious editor's or filmmaker's library.
The companion website, www.focalpress.com/cw/bowen, offers further instruction with video examples of different editing choices, types of shot transitions, photographs to further illustrate concepts, and exercises to practice your editing craft.
New to this edition:
* Expanded discussions of the building blocks of editing
* Fresh illustrations and visual examples
* Updated appendices with helpful resources
* Exercises and projects to help you practice your skills
* End-of-chapter quizzes to test your grasp of key concepts
A simple and clear overview of the principles of editing, Grammar of the Edit, Third Edition will help you to think and "feel" like an editor. Together with its companion volume, Grammar of the Shot, these books are exactly what the beginning filmmaker needs to start producing professional quality material today!
The companion website, www.focalpress.com/cw/bowen, offers further instruction with video examples of different editing choices, types of shot transitions, photographs to further illustrate concepts, and exercises to practice your editing craft.
New to this edition:
* Expanded discussions of the building blocks of editing
* Fresh illustrations and visual examples
* Updated appendices with helpful resources
* Exercises and projects to help you practice your skills
* End-of-chapter quizzes to test your grasp of key concepts
A simple and clear overview of the principles of editing, Grammar of the Edit, Third Edition will help you to think and "feel" like an editor. Together with its companion volume, Grammar of the Shot, these books are exactly what the beginning filmmaker needs to start producing professional quality material today!
Reviews / Votes
A review on amazon.com of the first edition:"This book describes in no uncertain terms what ABSOLUTELY MUST BE IN EACH AND EVERY SHOT-so that the successful filmmaker can build a story that flows smoothly. This book will help you to be artistic, but will also help you to avoid confusing your audience. A small book that is easily read in the space of an hour, the student or novice film-maker will find himself using it as a quick reference many times over. Highly recommended."
More details
Edition
3rd New edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Novice filmmakers, students or videographers who want a concise guide to the principles of editing
Edition type
New edition
Illustrations
199 s/w Photographien bzw. Rasterbilder, 104 s/w Zeichnungen
104 Line drawings, black and white; 199 Halftones, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Weight
401 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-240-52600-3 (9780240526003)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions
Book
07/2017
4th Edition
Routledge
€45.00
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Additional editions
Christopher J. Bowen | Roy Thompson
Grammar of the Edit
Book
09/2015
3rd Edition
Routledge
€155.99
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Previous edition
Christopher J. Bowen | Roy Thompson
Grammar of the Edit
Book
04/2009
2nd Edition
Focal Press
€17.32
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Christopher J. Bowen has worked within the motion media industries for over 15 years as a cinematographer, editor, director, and educator. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor of film production and visual media writing at Framingham State University. Professor Bowen is also an Avid Certified Instructor, Creative Director at his own media production company, Fellsway Creatives, and author of the companion text, Grammar of the Shot, Third Edition.
Roy Thompson (deceased) was a freelance director and frequently worked as a trainer for the Television Training Centre of Deutsche Welle, Berlin. He worked extensively in Europe, Africa, and Middle and Far Eastern countries. He was author of Grammar of the Shot, First Edition also published by Focal Press.
Roy Thompson (deceased) was a freelance director and frequently worked as a trainer for the Television Training Centre of Deutsche Welle, Berlin. He worked extensively in Europe, Africa, and Middle and Far Eastern countries. He was author of Grammar of the Shot, First Edition also published by Focal Press.
Content
Introduction
Chapter 1 Editing Basics
A Little Editing History
What Factors May Impact Your Editing Choices?
The Basic Editing Transitions
Stages of the Editing Process
Review
Chapter 2 Understanding the Footage
Basic Shot Types
Shot Descriptions
Increasing Shot Complexity
Simple Shots
Complex Shots
Developing Shots
Reviewing the Footage-Selecting the Best Shots
What Could Make or Break a Shot?
Focus
Audio Quality
Exposure and Color Temperature
Framing and Composition
Screen Direction
180 Degree Rule/Axis of Action
30 Degree Rule
Matching Angles
Matching Eye-Line
Continuity of Action
Continuity of Dialogue
Performance
Be Familiar with All the Footage
So How Does All of This Help You?
Review
Chapter 3 When to Cut and Why?
What Factors Help Make a Transition a Good Edit?
Information
Motivation
Shot Composition
Camera Angle
Continuity
Sound
Is there a Right or Wrong Reason for a Cut?
Review
Chapter 4 Transitions and Edit Categories
The Cut
The Dissolve
The Wipe
The Fade
The Five Major Categories of Edit Types
Will I Be Quizzed on Any of This?
Review
Chapter 5 General Practices for Editors
Sound and Vision are Partners and Not Rivals
A New Shot Should Contain New Information
There Should Be a Reason for Every Edit
Observe the Action Line
Select the Appropriate Form of Edit
The Better the Edit, the Less It Is Noticed
Editing is Creating
Review
Chapter 6 Working Practices
Working Practices
Review
Chapter 7 The Final Cut: Additional Editing Topics You are Bound to Encounter
Additional Editing Terms
Making Your Way into the World of Editing
Digital Workflow
The Role of an Assistant Editor
In Conclusion
Review
Glossary
Index
Chapter 1 Editing Basics
A Little Editing History
What Factors May Impact Your Editing Choices?
The Basic Editing Transitions
Stages of the Editing Process
Review
Chapter 2 Understanding the Footage
Basic Shot Types
Shot Descriptions
Increasing Shot Complexity
Simple Shots
Complex Shots
Developing Shots
Reviewing the Footage-Selecting the Best Shots
What Could Make or Break a Shot?
Focus
Audio Quality
Exposure and Color Temperature
Framing and Composition
Screen Direction
180 Degree Rule/Axis of Action
30 Degree Rule
Matching Angles
Matching Eye-Line
Continuity of Action
Continuity of Dialogue
Performance
Be Familiar with All the Footage
So How Does All of This Help You?
Review
Chapter 3 When to Cut and Why?
What Factors Help Make a Transition a Good Edit?
Information
Motivation
Shot Composition
Camera Angle
Continuity
Sound
Is there a Right or Wrong Reason for a Cut?
Review
Chapter 4 Transitions and Edit Categories
The Cut
The Dissolve
The Wipe
The Fade
The Five Major Categories of Edit Types
Will I Be Quizzed on Any of This?
Review
Chapter 5 General Practices for Editors
Sound and Vision are Partners and Not Rivals
A New Shot Should Contain New Information
There Should Be a Reason for Every Edit
Observe the Action Line
Select the Appropriate Form of Edit
The Better the Edit, the Less It Is Noticed
Editing is Creating
Review
Chapter 6 Working Practices
Working Practices
Review
Chapter 7 The Final Cut: Additional Editing Topics You are Bound to Encounter
Additional Editing Terms
Making Your Way into the World of Editing
Digital Workflow
The Role of an Assistant Editor
In Conclusion
Review
Glossary
Index