While the film industry has been entertaining us for centuries, it has risen to mean a lot more than just for pleasure in the past few decades. A meticulous choice of music, cast, and numerous other factors can add dimensions to the viewing experience.
Have you ever watched a movie that entranced you into a state of complete disassociation from the rest of the world? Chances are it was the way the scenes melded together with the acting and the music that made the viewing experience much more than just entertainment.
The reality behind such unique pieces of art is hours of careful and precise editing of raw footage to eventually transform it into the movie that you see. Even if it is done by the best online video editor or professional editing software, editing has unusual ways to bring out the essence of any movie.
Often termed as the “invisible artists,” editors truly are overlooked while watching a film. So, here’s your chance to appreciate some of the best editorial masterpieces of the 21st century.
Up Fifth – Baby Driver
Baby Driver is the usual action film where the plot is focused on a rather uniquely talented getaway driver. The editors, Paul Machliss and Jon Amos, had an interesting approach to working on this film.
The movie revolves around the lead character, Baby, and his affinity toward different music genres that he has regimented his life to. His smart getaway tactics involve choosing the perfect song and swerving his car to its every beat.
This film essentially flows with different music settings in each scene. Though it sounds like any other movie, the editors manage to spellbind the viewer by adding more depth to the lead character’s development.
The editors resolved to perform a portion of the editing while on set using a portable set-up. This enabled them to understand the character that they were portraying and eased them into post-production editing.
Up Fourth – Lord of the Rings – The Return of the King
It would be a huge mistake on our part to not mention this gem that has achieved several accolades, including the Academy Awards for Best Editing. Apart from being one of the most successful fantasy franchises, this movie posed an immense editorial milestone for editor Jamie Selkirk.
Jamie Selkirk had his work cut out for him while handling over two million feet of the film, including green-screen footage and tactical use of miniatures. For any person who has seen this film, the portrayal of simultaneously occurring timelines and the fast battle scenes are a few examples of amazing editing.
Jamie Selkirk has managed to carry on the fantasy feel of the movie while somehow keeping the intensity of the war and the drive of the characters the central point of focus.
Up Third – Inception
It is really not a surprise that Inception has taken a position in the top three editorial masterpieces. Setting aside the absolutely convoluted story that has left many of us very confused, Lee Smith has, in actuality, saved us from an even confusing jumble.
The editing technique used by Lee Smith is the perfect call for this type of movie. The famous scene in Inception, being the part where simultaneous charges are set in every level of the dream to wake them up, is the perfect example of parallel editing.
Along with music by Hans Zimmer, Lee Smith presented us with a treat for both the ears and eyes. The editing and storyline of this film really transport you and gently nudge you into complete chaos and make you like it.
Up Second – Mad Max: Fury Road
This particular movie boasts having one of the most coherent editings in a fast-paced action movie. Margaret Sixel had the humungous task of editing a whopping 500 hours of footage to which she clearly said, “Bring it on.”
She managed to not only reduce the footage to 120 minutes but also provided a seamless viewing experience despite the countless number of scenes that go into every battle.
By altering the speed of the scenes in calculated places, she allows the viewer to see the trajectory of a bullet from the nozzle of a gun to its destination, while not skipping out on the rest of the battle in the background. Ultimately, editing was definitely one of the primary factors in the success of the film.
Up First – The Godfather
It surely isn’t a surprise why this film has achieved number one on our list. Let us refresh your memory nevertheless. The Godfather is a film with numerous amount of treats for fans to discuss that would take a whole other blog. The editing of Peter Zinner and William Reynolds, however, offers a very engaging discussion as well.
The pair of editors managed to paint a new plane of meaning to certain scenes in the movie with their editing skills alone. This masterpiece really does emphasize the art of the artist.
Using techniques such as juxtaposition, the editors focus on the duality of the characters. The best example would be the baptism scene where we see the baptism of the baby takes place simultaneously to the murder ordered by the godfather himself.
The scene is perfectly accompanied by music, recurring shots of Michael’s face, and the murder in progress to drive you to the edge of your seat with goosebumps running up your arms.
What Are You Waiting For?
The previously mentioned films are just the tip of the iceberg. With every genre, there are a plethora of interesting ways to edit and convey a message to your viewers. Films have blossomed into a visual tribute to the characters and to the viewer and leave a lasting impression.
Editors are one of many talented people involved in making a film and deserve every piece of your recognition. You might even try dabbling in editing software or outro maker free software and come up with the next best viewing experience yourself.
Use ’em for making a surprise birthday video or maybe for presenting a documentary review. The stage is yours now. Rock it like Zinner and Reynolds!
