Research into Editing Styles - Miss Georgiou

Research into Editing Styles

Why are a variety of editing styles essential in the thriller genre?

Using a variety of editing styles is vital in the thriller genre as their sole purpose is to follow the codes and conventions of a thriller film and build suspense within the audience. For example, fast paced editing can be used to quicken the pace of a scene and create a reaction from the audience making them scared and want to watch more. This is key in keeping the viewing audience engaged within thriller films.

The clip that I have analysed is 'My Name is Edward Daniels' from the film Shutter Island. One technique that I have identified within this particular clip is a Jump Cut which is shown when Teddy suddenly grabs the gun and aims at the two doctors. This signifies his confusion and  frustration as they are trying to persuade him that he is someone that he's not. As an audience, it creates tension as we know the truth and that Teddy is actually who what the doctors are saying he is. This particular editing technique helps to convey the possibility that a death could occur represented by the use of iconography of the weapon therefore creating further elements of suspense as the audience wonder what will happen next.  This adds to the psychological effect as they are playing upon the character and the audience are left engaged in what will happen to Teddy. This is conventional to the thriller genre as deaths always occur in thriller films highlighted by the use of the gun that Teddy is holding. However, this was a trick on Teddy's mind as the gun proves to be a toy which intensifies the psychological theme within the film playing further tricks on the character's mind.




Another editing technique identified within the clip analysed was a Shot Reverse Shot. This is evident within the clip when Dr Cawley and Dr Sheehan are trying to convince Teddy of his real name, Andrew Laeddis. This particular editing style highlights the confusion in Teddy and shows that he is wondering why they are doing this. It creates a psychological impact upon the character which keeps the audience engaged. As we, as an audience, are aware of the plot, we believe the doctors over Teddy which keeps the viewer engaged as they wonder if Teddy will realise his real life or remain stuck in his imagined world he believes is his life.  Furthermore, Teddy is dressed in the uniform that the patients in the mental asylum wear which connotes that he is, in fact, mentally unstable and is exactly what the doctors are telling him. This is conventional to the genre as a psychological theme is present within the codes and conventions of a thriller film which keeps the audience hooked on the plot and keeps them wondering what will happen to Teddy in the end.

In addition to this, a Reaction Shot was also another editing technique used within the clip. This is shown when Dr Sheehan jumps back after Teddy pulls out the gun on him and his colleague, Dr Cawley. This particular technique captures the initial reaction to Teddy's outburst which is fear. This could also act as an example of foreshadowing and that the doctors could be lying to him in order to destroy his state of mentality and have a reason to keep him on the island as he slowly starts to believe that he is someone that he's not. This creates a diversion to the original plot making the audience be in suspense as they wait to see what happens to Teddy and if he ever escapes the island. This is conventional to the thriller genre as either the characters or the audience are usually played with to create a realistic representation of the psychological theme in order to keep them engaged in what they are watching.

Timing of shots was the final editing technique I identified within the analysed clip. This was used when Teddy appeared to shoot Dr Cawley but it turned out to be a figment of his imagination. This builds suspense as the audience wonder why he did what he did but then is relieved to see that it didn't actually happen. Again, this adds to the psychological theme within the film and plays once more upon the character in order to prolong the tension and keep the audience wanting to watch on to see what happens next. This is conventional as the audience were left shocked by the events that took place therefore intensifying the plot and keeping them hooked. This is vital within thriller films as their sole purpose is to keep the audience engaged using the three S's; Suspense, Shock and Surprise.


To conclude, this research into editing styles has helped me massively in creating my own thriller sequence as I now know what all the different techniques are, how they are used and how they are conventional to the thriller genre. In order to make my sequence remain as close to the conventions as possible, I think that I will use editing techniques such as jump cuts and timing of shots in order to create a focus point for my audience to keep gripped on. This way, they will be left wanting to watch further to see what happens to the characters and therefore is conventional to the genre.