Decoupage

The best way to understand editing is to take a scene and work backwards towards the
script. This is called Decoupage – from the French word for cutting things apart.

The following is a framework for analysis of editing techniques used in a scene or

clip. Also try to diagram the set and each camera position from a bird eye view.

Then answer these questions:

1. How is the scenes space, the area where the action will take place introduced
to the viewer? Does an establishing shot occur at the beginning of the scene or
later on?
2. What is the narrative purpose/function of each shot? What does each shot
communicate to the viewer?
3. Why was each shot from the camera positioned the way that is was? Do the
angles adhere to the 180 degree rule?
4. If characters move around how does editing (or camera movements) create
transitions from one area to another?
5. Is an alternating editing pattern used? Is shot counter shot used?
6. How does the camera relate to the characters perspective? Is there point of
view or subjective shots? How are they cued or marked? That is – what tells
us they are perspective shots?
7. Is match-on-action used? Are there jump cuts?
8. How does the last shot of a scene bring Ait to conclusion? (If it does?)
9. In sum, how does the organisation of space by editing support the narrative?