ABSTRACT

In On Film Editing, director Edward Dmytryk explains, in clear and engaging terms, the principles of film editing. Using examples and anecdotes from almost five decades in the film industry, Dmytryk offers a masterclass in film and video editing. Written in an informal, "how-to-do-it" style, Dmytryk shares his expertise and experience in film editing in a precise and philosophical way, contending that all parties on the film crew—from the camera assistant to the producer and director—must understand film editing to produce a truly polished work.

Originally published in 1984, this reissue of Dmytryk’s classic editing book includes a new critical introduction by Andrew Lund, as well as chapter lessons, discussion questions, and exercises.

chapter 1|6 pages

Titles and Definitions

chapter 2|4 pages

Who Cuts the Film?

chapter 3|6 pages

Smooth Cutting—The Ideal

chapter 4|6 pages

The Cutter Begins

chapter 5|4 pages

You’ve Got to Have a Reason

chapter 6|8 pages

The Action Cut—and What Makes It Work

chapter 7|8 pages

Keep It Fresh and Fast with the Overlap

chapter 8|4 pages

Trying a Little Harder

chapter 9|18 pages

Cutting Dialogue

chapter 10|6 pages

The Reaction Is What Really Counts

chapter 12|6 pages

Knowing Your Audience

chapter 13|6 pages

Dissolves: Why, How, and If

chapter 14|14 pages

Editing—Simple and Pure

chapter 15|28 pages

More of the Same

chapter 16|4 pages

Rescuing the Actor

chapter 17|10 pages

Where It All Began—The Montage