Bad editing can jolt the audience out of the story and make it hard to follow, while good editing can create a seamless experience and help the audience connect with the characters.
Here are some of the key differences between good and bad editing, according to Oscar-winning editors Walter Murch, Thelma Schoonmaker, and Anne V. Coates:
Good editing:
* Creates a smooth and seamless experience for the audience
* Helps the audience to connect with the characters
* Supports the story and theme of the movie
* Uses a variety of techniques to create interest and suspense
* Is invisible to the audience
Bad editing:
* Jolts the audience out of the story
* Makes it hard for the audience to follow the story
* Is distracting and takes away from the movie
* Uses excessive or unnecessary techniques
* Calls attention to itself
Here are some specific examples of good and bad editing:
Good editing:
* In the film "The Godfather", editor Walter Murch uses a variety of techniques to create a seamless experience for the audience. For example, he uses long takes, slow dissolves, and parallel editing to create a sense of continuity and flow.
* In the film "Raging Bull", editor Thelma Schoonmaker uses a variety of techniques to create a sense of realism and intensity. For example, she uses jump cuts, freeze frames, and slow motion to create a visceral experience for the audience.
* In the film "Lawrence of Arabia", editor Anne V. Coates uses a variety of techniques to support the story and theme of the movie. For example, she uses flashbacks, foreshadowing, and parallel editing to create a sense of epic scope and tragedy.
Bad editing:
* In the film "The Last Airbender", editor Stephen Rivkin uses a variety of techniques that jolt the audience out of the story. For example, he uses quick cuts, excessive CGI, and choppy editing to create a sense of confusion and chaos.
* In the film "Transformers", editor Roger Barton uses a variety of techniques that are distracting and take away from the movie. For example, he uses excessive slow motion, shaky camerawork, and gratuitous special effects to create a sense of spectacle over substance.
* In the film "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace", editor Ben Burtt uses a variety of techniques that call attention to themselves. For example, he uses excessive wipes, zooms, and pans to create a sense of artificiality and detachment.
By understanding the difference between good and bad editing, filmmakers can create movies that are more engaging and enjoyable for the audience.