Cutting Rhythms

"Cutting Rhythms is about rhythm in film editing. It begins with the question, 'What can be said about the shaping of a film's rhythm in editing beyond 'it's intuitive'?' This question leads to an in-depth study of editors' rhythmic creativity and intuition, the processes and tools editors work through to shape rhythms, and the functions of rhythm in film. Through this research, Cutting Rhythms has carved out a number of theories about rhythm in film editing -- what it is, how it is shaped, and what it is for. Case studies about creating rhythm in films edited by the author, and examples of rhythm in a range of other films describe and illustrate practical applications of these theories. Cutting Rhythms breaks down the issue of rhythm in an accessible way that allows filmmakers to apply these principles to their own work and increase their creativity. This book offers possibilities rather than prescriptions. It presents questions that editors or filmmakers can ask themselves about their work and a clear and useful vocabulary for working with those questions. Filled with timeless principles and thought-provoking examples from a variety of international films, this book is destined to become a staple in any filmmakers's library."--Back cover.