Parallel editing

Parallel editing is when there are two different scenes that are being played together to give the effect that the two scenes are about the same plot.

A pioneer of parallel is D.W. Griffith as he was one of the first directors to use the parallel in the film the lonedale operator. In this film he used parallel editing to add suspense to a scene which cuts between three shots which are: a frightened girl, a robber trying to break in and the approaching posse. 

A historic example of this is in the Godfather (1972) where on scene- the christening- is inter-cut (or cross cut) with a other scene- a series of murders. (from 3:35 till end of video)

I applied this technique to my first music video where the both of the main characters are getting changed in the dressing room (3:37-4:02) the parallel editing used in this scene makes it look like there getting changed  together and at the same time however it is at two different locations and at two different times.

Why We Edit

• Interest/engage the viewer
• Take out the bits we don’t want
• Select the footage we want
• Add post production effects + music
• Add emotion
• Change the order of the clips
• Make it more snappy
• Change around angles and scenes
• TELL A STORY-
  • Drama, Murder mystery – follow the killer perspective, different points of view - follow the suspects or police, FLASHBACKS fill in plot, keep the audience guessing – fool the audience, hiding details, withholding information, showing false information
  • music video (sometimes), Pace –speed up or slow down action
  • football match – highlights, tell story in a short way, best bits so people don’t get bored, montage, PACE; inline editing – LIVE, make as exciting as possible, FOLLOW THE ACTION,
  • documentary, follow perspective, follow the action, flashback/re-enactment, hold back info for later, withhold to simplify facts for viewers – maybe young audience, government withhold info, BIAS!