Today Liam Ward spoke to us about editing.
He stated that as an editor, he is fragmenting gaps.
As editors, we are not fixing, we are breaking, and in doing this we are encouraging readers/ viewers to fill in the gaps of the meaning behind a story. Therefore as an editor, if you break footage, it creates meaning because every time you make an edit you encourage the viewer to ask why.
Although making references to Game of Thrones, which i did not get because i’ve never seen it, Liam’s talk on editing was shown well when he switched between two images. The expressions, direction of eyes, and mood of the photos created a story. When two images, which may have no relation, are edited next to eachother there is a reason, and therefore a meaning that the audience must find. With only two images, the reader could have wild imaginations about what the meaning behind the edit, and come to their own conclusion. Hence, the editor has done his job.
In editing, people react and assume due to their own social and historical factors, as our reactions are dictated and shaped by the culture and time in which we live or have experienced. The familiar is the first thing we will think of when seeing something – we may ask how does it relate to my familiar? in order to make sense of something.
Basically, editing brings everything together, provides clarity and understanding, and is crucial to the development of the meaning behind a story.
