Advanced Editing Notes- Response to Questions

In paragraph form answer the questions using your notes and post to your blog. If possible use and image as well for each question.

III. Soviet Montage and Formalism

a. What was Pudovkin's concept of constructive editing and how did it manifest itself on film?

Pudovkin's concept of constructive editing is one of the first theoretical treaties introduced. He insisted that each shot should make a point that contributes to your film. He believed that the juxtaposition of shots gave meaning to each shot instead of Griffith's close- ups. He believed Griffith provided no meaning or point with his use of close ups.  Pudovkin believed that long shots are too close to realty, so he used symbols and other selected details to show meaning. This idea did manifest itself on film because many directors chose specific details to show on screen to make sure their audience understands the meaning behind the characters.

b. What was the Kuleshov effect and give me an example of how is it used in today's film's?

The Kuleshov effect involves unprofessional characters. Basically this effect shows that the emotion is produced not by the actor's performance, but by the juxtapositions. When the film maker choses the right details to show in the film, this will create more emotion for the audience. In today's films this effect is used to show reaction shots. For example, we see a mother and daughter hug each other after a big fight. Then the camera cuts to their faces, so the audience can feel their emotion. Also this can be seen in our films. We don't have professional actors, but the details we show on screen help us communicate the emotions to the audience. 

c. What was Eisenstein Montage and how does it work in the "Odessa Step" sequence?

Eisenstein Montage is are sharply contrasting images. He believed that the art of film was in the edit, and shots should not be complete. Many critics of Eisenstein argued that his films lacked realism and he gave the audience too much information. His montage is seen the Odessa Step. This technique works in this sequence because we see two different views on whats happening. First, we see people waving at each other than we see a boy and his mother. All of a sudden people begin to run away, and people began to fall down. Then the boy falls, and the mother goes crazy. So basically Eisenstein used two different stories, which are opposites and then combined them together.

IV. Andre Bazin and Realism

a. What were Andre Bazin's frustrations with Classical and Formalistic film making?

He believed that editing could destroy the effectiveness of a scene. He thought that formalists were manipulative due to the distortions they use. He also believed that classical cutting was corrupted. He thinks its corruptive because the audience is being deprived of the different choices we can make in real life. The editor has the power to cut and make its own choices. 

b. What do Realist filmmakers strive for in their work?

Realist filmmakers strive for what actually exists, and how they can interpret that understanding to make their film. Realist filmmakers believed that montage is a way to impose a simplistic ideology over actual life. They also strive for things that actually exist, because that is how realistic the film is going to get. Also, they thought that the essence of reality is interpreted depending on the artist's perspective.

c. What techniques to realists use in their filmmaking?

Realists used color and deep focus photography to get to the idea of realism. Synchronized sound changed editing back to long sequence shots until the blimp and dubbing was introduced. Deep focus allowed directors to film one setup with depth. Also sound made acting styles better. They stopped using distractive titles and eliminated exposition when they made their actors say a few lines of dialogue.