JCM412512/Editing (Discussion)

1. Identify these editing conventions in this scene from Out of the Past:
   • Group 3: Establishing shot
   • Group 4: Shot/reverse-shot (sometimes called "shot/counter-shot")
   • Match cuts:
     • Group 5: Eyeline match
     • Group 6: Match on action
   • Group 1: Jump cut--if any. If not, be prepared to describe a hypothetical example of one.
   • Group 2: The 180-degree rule: Does this scene adhere to it?

Scene découpage

Each student individually:

1. Television discusses the editing of this scene from Grey's Anatomy, breaking it down in what the book calls a découpage.
   • We can create a similar découpage of a scene from Steven Soderbergh's Out of Sight, featuring Jack Foley (George Clooney) and Karen Sisco (Jennifer Lopez). Using this découpage, draw an overhead diagram of the camera positions of all eight shots--similar to the 180-degree diagram above. (Draw just one diagram that shows all the camera and actor positions.)
   • Does this scene use the editing conventions listed above? Be specific. Hint: be sure to look closely at the first shot. It's a reflection in the window!

External links

1. Television Chapter 9 illustrations
2. Peter John Ross's 180-degree rule example
3. Out of the Past gallows scene.
4. Classical Hollywood editing examples
5. Film Art examples
6. Grey's Anatomy scene
7. Out of Sight découpage

Bibliography

1. Jeremy G. Butler, Television: Critical Methods and Applications (New York: Routledge, 2012).
2. David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson, Film Art: An Introduction (New York: McGraw-Hill).