Editing-Pillow Talk/Fringe

“How are the sequences from Pillow Talk´ and Fringe´ different? Discuss the differences in pace and style of editing as well as the effect the editing has on meaning/the audiences reception of the extracts”

In the extracts of “Pillow Talk” and “Fringe” we are able to see the contrasting styles in which editing is used to convey an ideology to the audience.  Firstly “Pillow talk was a romantic comedy film which was released in 1959 starring Rock Hudson and Doris Day. The definition of pillow talk: the relaxed, intimate conversation that often occurs between two sexual partners after the act of coitus, usually accompanied by cuddling, caresses, and other physical intimacy. It is associated with sexual afterglow and is distinguished from dirty talk which usually forms part of foreplay. Fringe is an American science fiction TV series which started in 2008, starring Anna Torv and Joshua Jackson. As films are shorter in length than tv shows the director must ensure that the editing is precise enough as scenes move at a faster pace. Tv shows have the benefit of having many episodes a season to portray storylines whereas films usually have a couple hours. This aspect is evident in the way both extracts show their editing.

Although this is the case most of the time, in Fringe the pace of editing is extremely fast. This is because it reflects the genre the tv show is in. Fringe is a sci-fi thriller tv show and it contains a lot of action. The effect of this on the audience is that they’ll feel more immersed in the overall experience of viewing the show as the camera angles and sounds make them feel like they’re actually in the show. There 27 scene changes in Fringe in about 4 minutes. This equates to about 8 ½ scene changes a minute. In the first 1 minute the camera focus alternates between the two men. It’s similar to watching a ping pong match in play; the audience’s focus is constantly being averted. This also creates suspense as; the viewer doesn’t know when the scene is going to change again, and doesn’t know who’s going to speak next and they don’t know. In the first few scenes a close up is used. This is used so the audience is just focusing on what they’re saying and not other influences e.g. body language. Then there is a quick cut to a computer screen in the table that one of characters was looking at. The next major scene is a pan of the Capitol Building and a blimp. There was a rapid flash of bright light that resembled an explosion. The juxtaposition between the two scenes are very explicit. The previous scene was dark, featured dialogue and little action. This scene was bright and contained an explosion.

But this scene is very short. The time in which the audience can see the bright explosion is short. The Segway between this scene and the next is short. So in essence this isn’t even really a scene. It’s a preview into what the audience will see later in the storyline. This is also because it’s such as short scene, the audience won’t really be able to read a lot of meaning into it. In the still we managed to print it also looks like the typical portrayal of “doomsday” or an Armageddon. Usually the bright light submerges everything in the scene and the camera starts shaking. Shaking like a bystander holding a camera during a mass explosion. This all contributes to the viewer’s experience.

In the next scene the audience’s attention is brought to a piece of paper.  We can see natural lighting allowing the piece of paper to be seen more easily. The angle of camera and the style of the text make it virtually impossible for the view to read what’s on this paper. This could show that the piece of paper takes up a certain amount of importance but that will remain hidden to the viewer until it’s revealed. In the next three stills the shots used are mid-shots and mid close ups. The camera focus is starting to zoom out and the audience is now being allowed to see more of the room. This is very clever editing because in the beginning we were not able to see much of the immediate surrounding which subsequently meant we couldn’t really get any more clues about the storyline other than the characters’ body language and voice/dialogue. As the camera starts to zoom out the audience is gradually being told more about the story.

The next couple of shots alternate between the two characters, both of them engaging in dialogue. This is the exact carbon copy of the first scene we saw. So it’s goes from showing the contrast in light and dark in that short scene to showing similarities in the last scene.

Overall, Fringe uses editing methods and techniques that are appropriate and reflect the genre it’s in. Also the main demographic of the tv show would 18-30. And the way editing is used in the scene also reflects the similar films that age group would watch. Films such as Armageddon and Independence Day. These films are mainly referenced in the short clip of the explosion.

Now Pillow Talk is a completely different thing compared to Fringe. Pillow Talk is a film set in the 1950s and start from the start we can already see the huge cultural difference between the two films. Technology was obviously less advanced in those times and when you compare the editing between Pillow Talk and Fringe, you can see how 50 years of technology advances can make a massive difference. Pillow Talk’s genre is a romantic comedy and editing in those films is always going to be slower as there is less action and most of the focus is on the character’s body language and voices. This is evident in the first scene where Rock Hudson is talking to another man and there is minimal camera movement. In fact the camera just follows the other character’s swivel and then zooms in on their conversation. The camera is almost taking the place of a bystander eavesdropping on the conversation. This similar to Fringe in that in the first scene the audience’s focus is on the two character’s dialogue. But the difference is that a mid shot is used and we are able to see their immediate surroundings.

One of the last thing’s the other character says is “you know that woman, Jan?” and then the scene fades into the scene where a woman is in the bathroom on the phone to Rock Hudson’s character. We are to assume that this women is Jan by the way the scene ends with the man saying “Jan?” and then the next scene beginning with “ Jan”. Then a split screen fades into the screen when Brad picks up the phone. The effect of the spilt screen means the audience has to focus on both characters, at the same time. No one will take more importance in this scene; they’re on a level playing field. This could reflect the cultural influences at the time because woman were starting to get more rights and taken more seriously. Now with about 40 seconds already gone we’ve only had about 3 shot changes. This shows the pace of editing is again much slower than Fringe.  Fringe had already had around 7 shot changes 40 seconds in.

Now the next scenes are set in a restaurant where Brad and another woman eat dinner. There are many shot changes. The camera’s alternate between both characters just like Fringe. The amount of shot changes in this scene could reflect the instability in their relationship. The woman had to ask Brad if he was interested in her. In a stable relationship you wouldn’t need to ask such a question. The shot changes could also signify the change in status, as in a conversation with two people there will always be a person he leads the conversation. In this conversation the woman leads the conversation but it’s clear Brad is the person in power. This is because whenever he speaks the camera focuses on him for just around half a second before he speaks. This slight pause gives him more power as the audience and the woman must wait for him to speak.

In conclusion Pillow Talk and Fringe how a different genre, age demographic and era can have a huge effect on editing. The editing used in both extracts are appropriate for their themes and the audience would feel that it makes them feel a part of the film as the sound, lighting and camera shot/angles make the viewer’s perspective vivid.

The adverts used are used to promote the Harry Potter brand and it makes more people aware of the upcoming new Harry Potter film. The merchandise is generally aimed at kids/teens but some could be aimed at hardcore fans. Adverts on online and tv are probably the best way to market the new film as many people watch tv and use the internet. Outside of the billboards can also be useful as many people would drive past them in day.

Secrets and lies presentation.ppt2

View more presentations from Westhatchmediastudies.

Here is a great example of how low angle shots are used in film. In this scene it's used to demonstrate power. The woman has more power than the man in this seen. We can come to this conclusion because the camera angle is always viewing the man as the lower person. The lower you are the less power you seem to have.

Crash Zoom:

Here is a great example of the crash zoom. In this clip it resemble s a meteorite crashing in to Earth. The speed of the camera zoom, makes the screen shake which is always apparent when travelling at high speeds. In the cinema the audience would definately feel like they're crashing into the earth. This is the director's intention, to make the audience feel like they're actually there.

Panning Shot:

Here you can see a great example of the panning shot. Althought it's not a clip from a film it's just as effective. The point of the shot is to show as much of the immediate scenery as possible. In most films you can only see from one camera angle throughout a scene and you can't everything in the actor's immediate surroundings.

Whip Pan Shot:

In this clip you see two actors in 1970s martials arts film. This type of shot is very common in this genre of film. Here one of the actors puts his hand on Bruce Lee and then the camera quickly swivels to the next scene. This emphasises the action involved in this film and also the mood of the time period in the film.

Worm's eye view:
The worm's eye view is the exact opposite of bird's eye view. Here we can a man walking a long the street. The camera angles resembles the view of a worm in the ground. This gives power to the man walking as he's made bigger. This shows how easily power can change by just adjust the camera angle.

Reverse Track Shot:

In this scene(Goodfellas) the camera focuses completely on the two actors in the shot. Outside of the window beside them you can see cars and pedestrians passing by. The effect of the reverse track shot here makes the outside world merely just a blur compared to the clarity presented inside where the two actors are. This could represent the fact that the actor's are completely oblivious to the outside world. Also in the shot we can assume that something bad is about to happen by the way the camera circles in on them. It's not an inviting way of circling in, it's almost intrusive and ultimately menacing

Tracking Shot:

This scene from "I Am Cuba" showcases a perfect example of a tracking shot. The difference is the camera doesn't really focus on one person. At first it focuses on a woman ,then a man,a group of people and it finishes by following the dead person coverd in a flag being carried. Especially in the end of the video it's almost as if they are trying to resemble someone looking down from the heavens below. This is because the camera is too high for it to resemble a person and too low to resemble any type of aircraft.

Birds Eye View Shot
1:24-1:25

In this scene Batman trying to escape from the polices cars chasing the Batmobile behind him. At first the camera is at about a 70 degree angle then it levels up to 90. This effect makes the audience actually feel like a bird in the sky by the camera imitating the action of a bird in fly. This is because bird don't ever stay at on height or at the same speed when in flight. Also it amplifies action of the scene because for most of it , the camera is directly on the Batmobile. But using the bird's eye view allows the audience to the street,the police cars and the Batmobile.

Sherlock Holmes Review

Many people thought an American couldn't play Sherlock, they thought someone younger than 50 couldn't play Sherlock and they all thought wrong!

Robert Downey Junior(RDJ) brilliantly plays Sherlock Holmes the famous British detective. He's aided by his companion Dr. Watson(played by Jude Law). From the 1st minute we are introduced to the action-oriented storyline which is rare for Sherlock Holmes! The first camera angle is one that puts us in the action. This point of view intensifies the action very early on.

The lighting throughout the film was mostly natural because Sherlock spends a lot of time outdoors in the film but in the indoors scenes filler and key light(rarely) can be seen.

Sherlock is rarely outwitted throughout the whole film and to emphasise how ahead of everyone else he is, the camera slows down and RDJ gives us a running commentary about what's going on. It's a very nice touch which makes him seem even more special than he really is!

The main villain is Lord Blackwood who initially was thought dead after he was hung. But he somehow fooled Sherlock ,Watson and the audience! While Sherlock and Watson were trying to find out how Blackwood was still alive, he himself was cooking a plan to kill some of the most high profiles ministers in England.

The big finale is arguably the best part of the film as it sees Blackwood and Sherlock square off on a ledge on top of Tower Bridge. The only bad part of it was that the ending was slightly too predictable.

But overall is what a great film, although some die hard Sherlock Holmes fans may not appreciate a more action-oriented, commercial Sherlock.

7/10