Purpose of Editing

Purpose of Editing

There are many purposes to editing. Editing is used in films to depict:

• Storytelling - Engaging the viewer
• Combining shots into sequences
• The development of drama
• Creating pace - Fast or slow cuts
• The relationship to genre

The purpose of using an editing technique such as an "Action Shot" which you can determine by the name that the shot is used to create action. Furthermore, different kinds of editing are used to have a certain effect on the viewers. To create suspense, tension, fear, excitement and to reveal important information to the viewing audience (Montage editing).

Referring to creating pace, different shots can create a certain feel towards the film. Such as fast cuts are used in action and horror films to create emotions of fear, excitement and tension for the viewer which matches perfectly to the genre which the producers are trying to capture. In horror films fast shots are used to scare the audience after a slow shot which built the tension. 

Slower shots are used to create the 'development of drama', this lets the audience to see and understand the scene which is being conveyed and to understand the character. This is exhibited by having longer shots in a scene