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Grammar of the Edit Paperback – 8 April 2009

by Christopher J. Bowen (Author), Roy Thompson (Author)

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Learn the basic "grammar" of editing films and videos in Grammar of the Edit! This book shows you in no uncertain terms (independently of software) what you absolutely need to know to edit your video production. Whether you are just learning how to edit or you need a refresher, this book gives you a basic toolkit to understand the basic terms and the common practices of editing to help create a coherent and meaningful story or visual presentation. This book concentrates on where and how an edit is made and teaches you how to answer the simple question: 'What do I need to do in order to make a good edit between two shots?'

Grammar of the Edit begins with an explanation of the basic rules of visual construction that will allow you to arrange your footage logically. The book takes you from the basic vocabulary of editing, to knowing when to cut (and why), to transitions, and finally to good working practices. Designed as an easy-to-use reference, each topic is covered succinctly and is accompanied by clear photographs and diagrams that illustrate the key concepts presented in the book. Simple, elegant, and easy to use, Grammar of the Edit is a staple of any filmmaker's library.

Don't miss the companion volume, Grammar of the Shot 2e, 9780240521213!

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Print length

224 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Routledge
Publication date

8 April 2009
Dimensions

15.88 x 1.27 x 22.86 cm
ISBN-10

024052120X
ISBN-13

978-0240521206
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Christopher Bowen
91
Paperback
13 offers from $56.97

Product description

Review

A review on amazon.com of the first edition:
"This book describes in no uncertain terms what ABSOLUTELY MUST BE IN EACH AND EVERY SHOT-so that the successful filmmaker can build a story that flows smoothly. This book will help you to be artistic, but will also help you to avoid confusing your audience. A small book that is easily read in the space of an hour, the student or novice film-maker will find himself using it as a quick reference many times over. Highly recommended."

Review

A review on amazon.com of the first edition:
"This book describes in no uncertain terms what ABSOLUTELY MUST BE IN EACH AND EVERY SHOT-so that the successful filmmaker can build a story that flows smoothly. This book will help you to be artistic, but will also help you to avoid confusing your audience. A small book that is easily read in the space of an hour, the student or novice film-maker will find himself using it as a quick reference many times over. Highly recommended."

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Routledge; 2 edition (8 April 2009)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 024052120X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0240521206
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.88 x 1.27 x 22.86 cm

Customer Reviews:
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Roy Thompson

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Clay123

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 October 2015

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Delivered on time excellent

Shoshannah Forbes

Upgrade your home videos without upgrading your software

Reviewed in the United States on 14 June 2011

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I'm one of those people that just had to play with the new "movie trailer" feature in iMovie that came with my Mac. When playing around I noticed that beyond the cheesy music and effects, those clips where much "smoother" than what I had edited before.
So I wanted to figure out how did the do that? how could I break out of the pre-made mold of this software feature and edit home videos who are just as smooth?

Knowing that it wasn't due to using this or that software, I began looking for a book that details the logic an principles of how to select which shot to use, when to cut, and what to cut into, and found this one.

It is exactly what I was looking for! In a very clear and readable manner this book details the "nuts and bolts" of what makes professionally edited videos look so smooth and home videos many times so jarring. Even the most simple video editing software (like iMovie) is very powerful, and here you learn how to harness this power.

If you own iMovie, get this book which covers the "why" together with iMovie '11 & iDVD: The Missing Manual (Missing Manuals) which covers the "how" and you are all set to create home videos that will stun your friends and family!

2 people found this helpful

Pat

TRES BON LIVRE

Reviewed in France on 3 January 2013

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TRES BON LIVRE DS MON SMARTPHONE AVEC KINDLE FONCTIONNE PARFAITEMENT CE PRODUIT REPOND TOUT A FAIT A MES ATTENTES . A RECOMMANDER

R. McClintick

It's super valuable in outlining editing.

Reviewed in the United States on 16 July 2016

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I still haven't finished reading this book, but it's super valuable in outlining the language for editing, directing, and producing. This is not a detailed complicated book for the editor alone, instead it's a guide for the processes of editing that any director, producer, editor, actor, artist, should have some awareness of.

Michael L. Maninger

I recomend this to anyone wanting to edit video.

Reviewed in the United States on 5 February 2015

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Excellent book ! I will use this as a reference until I get this information down in my memory. I know have a basic understanding of what edits go with what shots.

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Grammar of the Edit Paperback – 8 April 2009

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