Description
In your Screening Journal entry for Whiplash (2014), document how the film obeys the continuity editing system: the use of shot/reverse-shot, the 180-degree rule (axis of action), eyeline matches and point-of-view shots, establishing/reestablishing shots, matches on action, contiguity cutting (screen direction), plus crosscutting and montage sequences. Also, look out for the use of the different types of edits (cuts, dissolves, fades, wipes), especially those edits that are not hard cuts and that use optical effects instead (e.g. dissolves, fades, wipes).
There is no single question you need to address for this journal; rather, simply describe how the editing maintains continuity throughout the entire film, citing as many different examples of the 6 “principles” of continuity editing as possible. Of course, this means you should aim to reference numerous specific scenes/sequences where these editing techniques appear (with timecodes), as well as consistently and accurately use the film languageThere are only a couple distinct breaks from continuity editing in the film – see if you can spot them.
In terms of function, consider how the editing enhances character, theme, and story – and how this “invisible editing” approach emphasizes spatial and temporal clarity to establish verisimilitude (i.e. realism). For a movie about jazz music, unsurprisingly the editing is very rhythmic; it’d be great if you could find examples of the rhythm of the cuts and how this connects with the pace of the story.
Instructions: Your journal entry must be between 250 and 500 words long. Do not summarize the film’s story or premise; focus on making an original, concentrated analysis. Choose only a couple key points to discuss, and examine them in close detail (identifying particular shots or segments with precision, including providing timecodes from the video, e.g. “the tracking shot at 1:23:15…”).
