Why the EDITING of WHIPLASH is PERFECT

Summary

The video discusses the film 'Whiplash,' highlighting its journey from an 18-minute short film to a full feature, which won major awards at Sundance. Editor Tom Cross shares insights on how the editing approach changed from the short film to the feature, emphasizing the importance of letting the footage dictate the editing process. The video also analyzes the family dinner scene, demonstrating how editing techniques create tension and focus, with an emphasis on camera positioning, shot choices, and reaction delays. It underscores the role of editing in storytelling and character dynamics.

Takeaways

• 🎬 Whiplash, directed by Damien Chazelle, was initially created as an 18-minute short film that won acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival in 2013.
• 🏆 The short film's success attracted investors, leading to the production of the full feature film, which premiered at Sundance the following year and won major awards.
• 💸 Whiplash was made with a small production budget of $3.3 million but grossed $49 million worldwide.
• 🛠️ Damien Chazelle initially asked editor Tom Cross to match the editing of the short film for the full feature, but they realized that it didn't work and had to adapt to the new footage.
• 🎭 The change in lead actor from Johnny Simmons to Miles Teller influenced how the footage was edited, and Tom Cross let the material guide his decisions.
• ✂️ Tom Cross explained that editing requires flexibility, stating that an editor must let the footage ‘do some of the thinking’ to capture the true essence of a scene.
• 🍽️ The family dinner scene in Whiplash was complex, with 73 shots, an average shot length of 2.2 seconds, and strategic camera positioning to maintain clarity in the busy scene.
• 👁️ In the scene, Andy appears in over 50% of the shots, emphasizing his central role and struggles with his family's lack of support for his drumming career.
• 🕰️ Editors often delay reaction shots to ensure that important moments aren't missed, as shown in a key interaction between Andy and his father.
• 📚 The editing of Whiplash provides a great lesson in filmmaking, showcasing how editing techniques can shape the storytelling and emotional impact of a film.

Q & A

What was the purpose of Damien Chazelle creating a short film from a part of the *Whiplash* script?

Damien Chazelle created the short film as a proof of concept to attract investors and prove the potential of the full feature. The short film was accepted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2013, winning the jury award in the US fiction category.

How did the short film's success at Sundance help in the production of the full feature?

The acclaim and recognition the short film received at Sundance attracted investors, which allowed the production of the full feature *Whiplash*. The full film premiered at Sundance the following year and received further accolades, including the Audience Choice and Grand Jury Prize for Drama.

Why did Tom Cross and Damien Chazelle initially attempt to match the editing of the full feature to the short film?

They initially tried to replicate the editing of the short film because they believed they had worked out many of the key elements during the production of the short. However, they found that the same approach did not work for the feature, as it lacked the soul and rhythm needed for a longer format.

What did Tom Cross learn about the editing process while working on *Whiplash*?

Tom Cross learned that even though they tried to match the short film's edit, the footage of the full feature had its own life due to the actors' performances. He realized that the footage needed to guide the editing process, as the same approach wouldn't work for both the short and feature films.

What change in casting affected the editing process of *Whiplash*?

The lead actor was changed from Johnny Simmons in the short film to Miles Teller in the feature film, which altered the way Tom Cross approached the editing. The differences in performance required him to adjust the cuts and let the new footage guide the editing decisions.

How did the dinner scene in *Whiplash* convey Andy's struggles with his family?

The dinner scene emphasized how Andy's family, particularly his cousin, overshadowed his achievements in drumming. His family's lack of belief in the arts as a viable career path is highlighted as they consistently divert attention away from Andy's successes.

What does the placement of Andy in 50.6% of the dinner scene's shots signify?

The fact that Andy is present in over half of the shots during the dinner scene signifies that the scene is centered around him and his personal struggles, even though his family doesn't fully recognize or support his passion for drumming.

What editing techniques are used to emphasize Andy's isolation within his family?

The editor, Tom Cross, uses close-ups to single out Andy and delay reaction shots to emphasize the tension between him and his family. This allows the audience to experience Andy's isolation and frustration as his family dismisses his dreams.

What role does the establishing shot play in the dinner scene?

In the dinner scene, the establishing shots don't start with a wide view, but instead focus on dishes with food missing, signaling that the meal has already begun. The third establishing shot then shows the entire family, establishing the setting and characters involved.

What lesson about editing does *Whiplash* offer according to the analysis?

The editing in *Whiplash* teaches the importance of allowing the footage and actors' performances to guide the editing process. Rigidly adhering to preconceived notions can result in an edit that lacks soul, so the editor must be flexible and responsive to the material.