Syllabus: Editing Theory and Production

Charles G. Miller, University of California, San Diego

Syllabus and assignments here: http://www.charlesgmiller.com/teaching/VIS175/

“The evolving aims and grammars of editing practice in film and digital media will be examined. These histories will create a context for exploring contemporary editing strategies. The production projects will be centered on digital editing practice.

This is an intermediate level studio course that will focus on understanding and practicing editing grammars and workfows with respect to the cinematic medium’s contemporary tools. Students will also work to identify and augment their individual relationship with the cinematic medium vis-a-vis editing. The framework of our theoretical investigation comprises the classic continuity system (methodical), documentary (editor as writer / intuitive), and structural / experimental approaches (oppositional / algorithmic). Special attention will be given to issues of time and montage: tempo, rhythm, narrative pacing, spatial and temporal continuity, and image / sound relationships. Of concern will also be the relationship between contemporary and historical practices, with the goal of understanding aesthetic decisions within a historical continuum. “

Keywords: editing, theory and practice