OT: Cuts, dissolves, transitions - an article

JackW wrote on 12/26/2005, 10:37 PM

LarryP's posting regarding transitions (12/26/05) reminded me of an article I wrote for publication in a national trade magazine a couple of years ago, discussing the use of cuts, dissolves and transitions. It's not a "how to" piece, but rather some thoughts on where these tools have come from and how they are currently being used and abused.

I've posted the article on our web site, and will leave it there for a few days for any who want to read it or download a copy.

Comments are welcomed.

Enjoy.

Article

Jack

Comments

PierreB wrote on 12/27/2005, 6:47 AM

Great article.

Thanks for sharing.

Pierre

Grazie wrote on 12/27/2005, 7:39 AM

Jack! Printed and reading now .. thank you. G

Coursedesign wrote on 12/27/2005, 7:49 AM

Outstanding article.

Much of film theory as presented by pure academics makes me want to puke violently, because it is so obvious that they are just parroting what they heard from somebody else, without adding any understanding of their own.

This article beautifully gives not only the whats, but also the whys, and does it very very clearly. Even the goal, telling a story, is not forgotten.

Major kudos for this one!

RichMacDonald wrote on 12/27/2005, 9:39 AM

Thanks for the article. I agree, well done.

A classic book I don't see mentioned very often:

"The five C's of cinematography" by Joseph V. Mascelli.

Among many things, an excellent chapter on cutting.
And written in the "pre-MTV" era :-)

JackW wrote on 12/27/2005, 8:10 PM

Rich, I couldn't agree more. Mascelli's book is a classic -- very clear and to the point. Another book I have found most interesting is Roger Crittenden's Film and Video Editing. It was first published in 1981 and reissued in 1995. It still holds up well today and contains lots of very thoughtful insights into the editing process, especially with reference to when and why to cut.

Jack