Film Language: Editing

The 'rolling boulder' sequence in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Notes:


The first scene fades in from black straight to a medium close up shot of the protagonist highlighting straight away his facial expression of pure concentration thus causing the audience to quickly recognize and reciprocate this reaction towards the scene. In this shot you also notice that the stone/artifact is placed closer to the camera shot which highlights its importance instantly as the shot shows that the protagonists reaction is towards this artifact. The shot then slowly zooms out into a larger medium shot which helps to set the scene that the hero is in and also notice that he is reaching into his pocket and begins to pull out a bag. This creates the enigma code of what is he reaching into his pocket for? 
The audiences question is quickly answered as there is a straight cut and a close up shot of the sand falling to the ground with the stone still in view in the background. This quickly causes the audience to create some link between the two. Once this sand falls fully out of his hand other straight cut takes place and a high-key, long shot is used to set the scene of the vulnerable position the man is in thus causing the audience to recognize that he may be in danger which therefore help to build up suspense. 
Another straight cut takes place right away to a medium shot of him about to replace the stone with the sand. This shot choice helps the audience to once again register the hero's expression and therefore build slight identification with the character due to out awareness of how he is feeling through each scene. There is then another straight cut to a medium shot of another character where we can see his expression being full of anticipation and desperation. Another straight cut and we are back to the protagonist, this shot/reverse/shot used helps the audience to feel the heightened emotions of anticipation like both the characters present in the scene.Once the protagonist replaces the artifact the camera slowly zooms out and a straight cut occurs to the other mans expression (medium shot) and the camera slightly zooms back in. 
Another straight cut (SC) back to a medium shot (MS) of the protagonist and the tile sinks in. Then a SC takes place back to the other character with a MS of his body language and dropping facial expression highlights something has gone wrong which evokes worry in the audience as they quickly understand that this isn't a good situation. This is then confirmed by the next straight cut to a shot of the protagonist slowly turning back, followed by another SC to a long shot (LS), which helps again to set the new scene occurring, which shows the audience the building falling apart. In this shot the protagonist only looks small and the low-angle shot of the building highlights that the hero is in an extremely dangerous situation. The protagonist then begins to run towards the camera and we straight cut to a LS of him jumping down the stairs. From this point on the editing begins to speed up from the previous slower editing.
We are then bombarded with various SC. First we SC to a LS from behind him, then SC to a LS from the wall as a pan follows across the wall. Then a SC to the man running followed by a LS of the pan moving along the wall again. SC to a medium close up (MCU) of the hero from the front as he runs to the camera, another SC and we see a birds eye view of the protagonist still running then another SC to a medium shot (MS) of him jumping down to take cover. From this point onward the editing finally begins to slow down. 
a lot of eyeline match as the protagonist contemplates weather he should trust the protagonist or when hes trying to get away from the life threatening situations. 






A straight cut and there is an over shoulder shot of the other man apportioning as the dialogue takes place and with another straight cut we can see a over the shoulder shot of the man and more dialogue takes place. This editing helps the audience to identify and feel a connection with each piece of dialogue that takes place. Then both men turn and there is a straight cut of the stone door closing and we, as the audience, understand at this point both characters are in a dangerous situation and need to get out. A low angel shot the takes place as the camera tilts and looks up at the other man, from this the audience begin to suspect that maybe this character is more evil and most likely our villain of the movie. There is then once again another SC to a close up of the protagonist then a SC to an over the shoulder shot of the hero throwing the stone to the villain.From this point on-wards the editing begins to speed up once again. 

There is the a SC to the villain and this shot/reverse/shot highlights the villain's perspective that he needs to run away and then he does. SC to the protagonist in a MS which reflects his angry expression.  Then there is a SC to a LS of the hero jumping and then editing begins to slow down once more.

SC to a LS from underneath the protagonist highlights the extent to which he can fall highlighting the danger involved. SC again to a high angle (HAS) LS then another SC to a MCU of the man holding onto the ledge then a SC to a LS of the stone door closing in front of the camera and the protagonist on the other side, this highlights that the protagonists is on the wrong side of his aim and safety. SC then to a CU of the hero's feet on the stone cliff and a SC to a MS of the man trying to grab the week. There is then another SC to a CU of the protagonists happy expression. Next a SC to an ECU of the weed snapping followed by a SC to a MS of the man slipping. This shot/reverse/shot highlights the danger and highlight the panic the protagonist feels helping the audience to identify with him. Sc to a CU as the mans restrained expression is highlighted as he nearly falls out of shot but manages to hold on just in time. Sc to a LS of the stone wall closing quickly highlights to the audience now is still not the time to celebrate and this is quickly followed by a SC to the man still holding in in a MS. This shot/reverse/shot highlights the determination in the protagonist. He then slowly begins to pull himself up. SC to the shot of the mans legs at the bottom of the cliff then another SC to a MS of the hero pulling himself up and finally making it up. Another SC to a HAS of him running using the same previous angel as before. SC to a MS of the stone wall closing which builds up sudden tension but just in time the hero rolls in and the camera tracking shot is used to follow his movement until he is standing again. Another SC to a MS of an old skeleton on the wall and he camera pans helping to set the scene, then another SC to the hero in a MS where we can see his expression. The camera follows his movement with a tracking shot until he nearly bumps into the body of the protagonist who is positioned closer to the camera using a medium close up. SC to another CU of the hero's hand picking up the stone from the floor and the camera then slowly tilts up following the movement, then another SC to a MS of the protagonist's back then the camera movies to a medium close up as the protagonists begins to turn around. This is quickly followed by a SC to a LS of a bolder falling down through a LAS highlighting the threat to the hero's safety. Then a SC takes place to behind the bolder as the hero runs away. From this point on wards the editing speeds up once again.


SC to a LS in front of the hero as he is running away then another SC to a M/LS of the hero running away and there is a pan shot following this movement. A SC to a LS as the hero runs out of frame is used then another SC to a MS in front of the hero as he is running away then another SC to a LS in front of the hero as he runs away and then a SC to the hero jumping in a LS. This is where the clip ends. 

Throughout this editing sequence parallel music that is non-diegetic is used to help build up suspense and emotion within the audience at certain periods of time. There is synergy with the pace of editing and the non-diegetic sound used which work together to either cause more suspense in the audience with slow editing and sound or to work up the thrill of the genre by faster editing and sound. 

The overall transitions of the clip consist of a lot of straight cuts from which some are quiet fast which puts them on the borderline of nearly being jump cuts.The scene also uses only one fade in to introduce the scene. So overall the transitions are very simple as they helps to keep a clear linear narrative.

There is continuity editing in this movie as it helps to build up suspense and excitement which are crucial for the action and adventure genre.


Generally, slow cuts build tension while fast cuts suggest action and excitement.
slow cuts used when they're trying to build up tension and suspense as there is a build up of enigma codes such as will he survive, will he make it?
fast cuts are often used when the want to build up and excitement of the chase and usually follow action codes building up the narrative at an extremely fast pace. 

There are quiet a few juxtapositions that take place such as the villain/protagonist or the hero/danger or even the dead villain and the alive hero.