History, Theory, and Practice

Fourth Edition

Ken Dancyger
Professor of Film and Television, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University and the author of numerous books on screenwriting, editing and production.


Features & Benefits

Learn how to strengthen your story and engage your audience through the editing process

Examples, analysis, and film stills from great movies

Includes a new chapter on the impact of documentaries


Reviews

Praise for previous editions:

"Ken's additions to his book show all of us who love and study the craft of editing, a real understanding of the importance and stimulating impact editing has in helping tell a story, create mood, and shape characters."
--Sam Pollard, film editor, Girl 6, Clockers, Mo Better Blues

"Dancyger's book is an excellent introduction to the art of manipulating moving pictures and sound for students, amateurs, hobbiests and professionals alike." - Videomaker

"...a thoroughly "reader friendly" introduction and survey of proven editing techniques and how those techniques influence the editing process..." - The Bookwatch, Sept. 2006"


Description

The Technique of Film & Video Editing provides a detailed, precise look at the artistic and aesthetic principles and practices of editing for both picture and sound. Analyses of photographs from dozens of classic and contemporary films and videos provide a sound basis for the professional filmmaker and student editor. This book puts into context the storytelling choices an editor will have to make against a background of theory, history, and practice. This new edition has been updated to include the latest advances in digital video and nonlinear editing and explores the new trend of documentary as mainstream entertainment, using films such as "Farenheit 9/11" and "The Fog of War" as examples.


Contents

Introduction; The Silent Period; The Early Sound Film; The Influence of the Documentary; The Influence of the Popular Arts; Editors Who Became Directors; Experiments in Editing: Alfred Hitchcock; New Technologies; International Advances; The Influence of Television and Theatre; New Challenges to Filmic Narrative Conventions; The MTV Influence on Editing I; The MTV Influence on Editing II; The Influence of Psychoanalytic Ideas on Editing; The Appropriation of Style I : Imitation and Innovation; The Appropriate of Style II: Limitation and Innovation; Action; Dialogue; Comedy; Documentary; Imaginative Documentary; Innovations in Documentary; More Innovations in Documentary; Ideas and Sound; The Picture Edit and Continuity; The Picture Edit and Pace; Changes in Pace; The Sound Edit and Clarity; The Sound Edit and Creative Sound; Innovations in the Use of Sound; Nonlinear Editing and Digital Technology I; Nonlinear Editing and Digital Technology II; Altering Reality Using Digital Visuals and Sound; Conclusion


Readership: Film students; professional filmmakers

ISBN: 978-0-240-80765-2

ISBN10: 0-240-80765-0

Book/Paperback

Measurements: 152 X 235 mm

Pages: 512

Imprint: Focal Press

Publication Date: 28 November 2006