Tell more effective visual stories by learning the "grammar" of cinematic language with this elegant, accessible reference. The fourth edition of Grammar of the Edit gives you the answers to the all-important questions of when to cut and why, and teaches readers the principles behind transitions, editing for continuity, selecting the best shots, editing sound, color correction, and more. Designed as an easy-to-use guide, Grammar of the Edit presents each topic succinctly with clear photographs and diagrams illustrating key concepts, practical exercises and quiz questions, and is a staple of any filmmaker’s library. New to the fourth edition: An expanded companion website offering downloadable and editable raw footage so that students can practice the techniques described in the book, and instructional videos showcasing examples of different editing choices and types of shot transitions. New and expanded quiz questions and practical exercises at the end of each chapter help test readers on their knowledge using real-world scenarios. Updated topic discussions, explanations, illustrations and visual examples. An all-new chapter on Sound resources in filmmaking and Audio Editing guidelines. Together with its companion volume, Grammar of the Shot, the core concepts discussed in these books offer concise and practical resources for both experienced and aspiring filmmakers.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter One – Editing Basics A Very Brief History of Film Editing What Basic Factors May Affect Your Editing Choices? The Tools Project Type and Genre Degree of Audience Manipulation Other Factors Stages of the Editing Process The Basic Motion Picture Transitions Chapter One Summation - Editing Purpose & Process Related Material from Chapter Eight – Working Practices Chapter One – Review Chapter One – Exercises & Projects Chapter One – Quiz Yourself Chapter Two – Understanding the Visual Material Basic Shot Types Shot Descriptions Shot Categories – The Increasing Complexity of Motion Imagery Simple Shots Complex Shots Developing Shots Chapter Two Summation – Camera Shots Are Your Building Blocks Related Material from Chapter Eight – Working Practices Chapter Two – Review Chapter Two – Exercises & Projects Chapter Two – Quiz Yourself Chapter Three – Understanding the Audio Material Sounds Gathered During Production Dialogue Room Tone / Natural Sound / Ambiance Wild Sounds Soundtracks (musical) Sounds Gathered During Post-Production Narration / Voiceover Automated Dialogue Replacement / Looping Ambience / Tonal Tracks Sound Effects / Spot Effects Foley Effects Soundtracks (music) Sting / Stinger Score Audio Terms You May Encounter Sync Sound Diegetic Sound Non-diegetic Sound Sound Design Sound Motif Chapter Three Summation – Sound as Emotional and Physiological Manipulation Related Material from Chapter Eight – Working Practices Chapter Three – Review Chapter Three – Exercises & Projects Chapter Three – Quiz Yourself Chapter Four – Assessing the Footage: Selecting the Best Shots for the Job Criteria for Shot Assessment Focus Framing and Composition Exposure and Color Balance Screen Direction 180 Degree Rule / Axis of Action 30 Degree Rule Matching Angles Matching Eye-line Continuity of Action Performance Continuity of Dialogue / Spoken Words Audio Quality Be Familiar with All of the Footage Chapter Four Summation - So How Does All of This Help You? Related Material from Chapter Eight – Working Practices Chapter Four – Review Chapter Four – Exercises & Projects Chapter Four – Quiz Yourself Chapter Five – When to Cut and Why What Factors Lead to Making an Edit? Information Motivation Shot Composition Camera Angle Continuity Sound Chapter Five Summation - Is There a Right or Wrong Reason for a Cut? Related Material from Chapter Eight – Working Practices Chapter Five – Review Chapter Five – Exercises & Projects Chapter Five – Quiz Yourself Chapter Six – Transitions and Edit Categories The Cut The Dissolve The Wipe The Fade The Five Major Categories of Edit Types The Action Edit The Screen Position Edit The Form Edit The Concept Edit The Combined Edit Chapter Six Summation - Does Everything Always Apply? Related Material from Chapter Eight – Working Practices Chapter Six – Review Chapter Six – Exercises & Projects Chapter Six – Quiz Yourself Chapter Seven – Editing Terms, Topics, and Techniques Additional Editing Terms Timecode Montage Parallel Editing Multi-camera Editing Composite Editing Rendering Chromakey Video Resolution Additional Editing Topics Sound Editing Color Correction / Color Grading Importing Still Images Digital Workflow Technology vs. Creativity Chapter Seven Summation – Old Techniques Done With New Technologies Related Material from Chapter Eight – Working Practices Chapter Seven – Review Chapter Seven – Exercises & Projects Chapter Seven – Quiz Yourself Chapter Eight – Working Practices Chapter Eight – Review Chapter Eight – Exercises & Projects Chapter Eight – Quiz Yourself Chapter Nine – Key Take-Aways for New Editors Sound and Vision are Partners A New Shot Should Contain New Information There Should Be a Reason for Every Edit Pacing Has a Purpose Observe the Action Line Select the Appropriate Form of Edit The Better the Edit, the Less it is Noticed Editing is Manipulation The Role of an Assistant Editor Editing is Creating Chapter Nine Summation – Concluding Thoughts Chapter Nine – Review Chapter Nine – Exercises & Projects Chapter Nine – Quiz Yourself Appendix A – Helpful Resources for the New Filmmaker Appendix B – Common Crew Members Needed for Motion Picture Production Appendix C – Practice Script Glossary Index