The Evolution of Video Editing in Cinema

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The Evolution of Video Editing in Cinema

Hey there, film enthusiasts! I suppose we’ve all been there – that moment when you sit back for a movie, whether it’s a sci-fi spectacle or a heart-wrenching drama, and think to yourself, “how did they even do that?” Yep, I’m talking about the magical world of video editing in cinema. It’s a lot like a mystery box that makes us wonder what’s happening behind the scenes. But today, let’s pull back the curtain and step into the prodigious realm of video editing – and not just that, but its evolution across cinematic history.

Those Early Days: A Journey Back in Time

Remember the days of ‘film’ in the literal sense? The days when moving pictures first emerged, taking the world by storm? The cinema has come a long way since then, and a significant accelerator has been the evolution of video editing. When films first started, cuts were made manually with a razor blade and then reconnected with adhesive tape, a process known as linear editing1. Oh, the struggles!

The New Kid on the Block: Non-Linear Editing

Then came the 1990s. With the development of computer technologies, video editing took a turn of the century – literally. Non-linear editing (NLE) began, and movie magic was never the same again2. One could now edit any frame without affecting the others. Imagine the relief and the possibilities this opened up. Now, it just became a game of ‘drag and paste.’

The Rise of Software: Making it Even More Seamless

And then, editing became even easier. With the rise of comprehensive software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer, and Final Cut Pro, directors and editors could rectify any scene without worrying about distorting an entire film roll3. Personal quirks aside, my go-to has always been Final Cut Pro. Who could resist its user-friendly platform?

Moving Towards the Extraordinary

Let’s take the iconic movie, ‘Avatar.’ James Cameron rocked the cinematic world by creating a film that was virtually 60% computer-generated. The sophistication it brought to video editing made us question the realm of possibilities4. I remember watching it in awe, thinking, “What would come next?”

Conclusion

The history of video editing is an exciting journey – from physical cuts and joins, through to nonlinear editing, and finally to the age of supreme software manipulation that mesmerizes audiences worldwide. So, the next time you watch a stunning sequence, remember there’s a whole lot of magic happening behind that screen.

Sources

  • Fielding, Raymond. “Techniques of Film Editing.” Focal Press, 1962.1
  • Rotha, Paul. “The Film Till Now: A Survey of World Cinema”. Spring Books, 1967.2
  • Bragg, Rick. “The New New Journalism: Conversations with America’s Best Nonfiction Writers”. Vintage, 2005.3
  • Koblin, John. “‘Avatar’ Is a Hit in the Heartland.” New York Times, Dec. 28, 2009.4