Heat (1995) by Micheal Mann:
Micheal Mann has used editing in this scene in order to bring a lot of suspense and tension in the audience so that they can keep on watching.
Before the robbers begin thier heist the pace of editing is very slow and filled with long clips, this can relate to the characters as they may feel calm and relaxed. Although as soon as they begin the robbery, the pace changes to a slightly faster speed. The director achieves this fast paced editing by using straight cut transitions this is because its very quick and snappy and creates an effect where the audience doesn't even know the scene has changed which makes the audience want to watch for longer.
The choice of using straight cuts also show that the type of editing is continuity editing. Continuity editing is when the director places his clips together logically so that one event follows on from the next. The audience then automatically assumes that the scene is happening in real time.
When the criminals are attempting the getaway the pace then starts to build up again but this time the director adds a tense soundtrack in the background. He cuts in a series of angles of each characters walking out to make us feel like we are in their position. He does this effectively by using straight cuts very quickly of all the angles and by using a POV shot. During these sequences the director uses juxtaposition by cutting in between the cops making their move and the robbers getting away. This builds more tension as we want to see what would happen when they finally meet. As the two groups of characters get closer and closer the pace of the juxtaposition increases, this is how the tension is built.
Once the good and bad finally meet, the overall atmosphere changes completely, the soundtrack is off and all the audience can hear are gun shots and screaming. The pace of editing and cutting is now extremely fast and the angles and clips are always changing. As the robbers get into the car there is a lot of camera movement and shaking with a close proximity which makes us feel like we're in the car. At 5:02 there is a clip with slow motion which takes place during this fast pace sequence, this marks the moment as one of the main robbers shoots at the police. the slow motion may indicate that something bad is going to take place, and so does. After the slow motion the driver for the heist gets killed which leaves the robbers in the middle between the police. From here the pace changes to more longer clips of gunfire and shooting. The continuity editing still carries on to flow well as the gun fire continues. When one of the robbers gets shot the pace then switches again as one other robbers helps him up and gets him away. the clips change to a longer duration as they run away and get in the car. As they run away many angles are constantly being cut in and out. When they get away there is only one robber left to chase for the cops. The tension is built as it switches to a fast pace sequence of that criminal running away. Lots of camera movement and cuts of angles. Then the director adds a soundtrack which fades in to get louder and louder. this creates suspension and tenses the audience. An over the shoulder shot of the cop is shown which is almost a POV. The cop is aiming down site at the robber which is holding a hostage. The director then uses slow motion to create even more tension and uses close up shots to make us feel like we are there. As the cop takes his shot the slow motion ends and brings us back to reality.
Overall this clip is brilliant because of its editing. The editing constantly switched from fast to medium pace which made it a lot more interesting to watch. There were also may other film language elements that made this a great clip such as the cinematography buy using many different angles and by using handheld camera movement which made everything a lot more fast paced and realistic. Also the use of sound brought in a lot of tension especially in the gunfire as all we could hear were the diegetic sounds of the gunfire, ricocheting bullets and screaming. This makes the audience feel like they are right in the middle of this dangerous situation.
Before the robbers begin thier heist the pace of editing is very slow and filled with long clips, this can relate to the characters as they may feel calm and relaxed. Although as soon as they begin the robbery, the pace changes to a slightly faster speed. The director achieves this fast paced editing by using straight cut transitions this is because its very quick and snappy and creates an effect where the audience doesn't even know the scene has changed which makes the audience want to watch for longer.
The choice of using straight cuts also show that the type of editing is continuity editing. Continuity editing is when the director places his clips together logically so that one event follows on from the next. The audience then automatically assumes that the scene is happening in real time.
When the criminals are attempting the getaway the pace then starts to build up again but this time the director adds a tense soundtrack in the background. He cuts in a series of angles of each characters walking out to make us feel like we are in their position. He does this effectively by using straight cuts very quickly of all the angles and by using a POV shot. During these sequences the director uses juxtaposition by cutting in between the cops making their move and the robbers getting away. This builds more tension as we want to see what would happen when they finally meet. As the two groups of characters get closer and closer the pace of the juxtaposition increases, this is how the tension is built.
Once the good and bad finally meet, the overall atmosphere changes completely, the soundtrack is off and all the audience can hear are gun shots and screaming. The pace of editing and cutting is now extremely fast and the angles and clips are always changing. As the robbers get into the car there is a lot of camera movement and shaking with a close proximity which makes us feel like we're in the car. At 5:02 there is a clip with slow motion which takes place during this fast pace sequence, this marks the moment as one of the main robbers shoots at the police. the slow motion may indicate that something bad is going to take place, and so does. After the slow motion the driver for the heist gets killed which leaves the robbers in the middle between the police. From here the pace changes to more longer clips of gunfire and shooting. The continuity editing still carries on to flow well as the gun fire continues. When one of the robbers gets shot the pace then switches again as one other robbers helps him up and gets him away. the clips change to a longer duration as they run away and get in the car. As they run away many angles are constantly being cut in and out. When they get away there is only one robber left to chase for the cops. The tension is built as it switches to a fast pace sequence of that criminal running away. Lots of camera movement and cuts of angles. Then the director adds a soundtrack which fades in to get louder and louder. this creates suspension and tenses the audience. An over the shoulder shot of the cop is shown which is almost a POV. The cop is aiming down site at the robber which is holding a hostage. The director then uses slow motion to create even more tension and uses close up shots to make us feel like we are there. As the cop takes his shot the slow motion ends and brings us back to reality.
Overall this clip is brilliant because of its editing. The editing constantly switched from fast to medium pace which made it a lot more interesting to watch. There were also may other film language elements that made this a great clip such as the cinematography buy using many different angles and by using handheld camera movement which made everything a lot more fast paced and realistic. Also the use of sound brought in a lot of tension especially in the gunfire as all we could hear were the diegetic sounds of the gunfire, ricocheting bullets and screaming. This makes the audience feel like they are right in the middle of this dangerous situation.
No comments:
Post a Comment