The Action Genre - Editing

The editing in action films - which in key action scenes is usually fast-paced - contributes to creating an intensely thrilling experience for the spectator whilst keeping the audience engaged and on the edge of their seats. Some common editing techniques in action films include:

• Cuts - In action films the audience witness a lot of short takes in chaotic scenes to highlight the intensity and urgency of the scene but also to immerse the audience in the action and create a breathless feel to what is happening. On the other hand, long takes are generally used in action films to create suspense and therefore the audience are expecting something significant to happen next (often creating tension and anticipation right before the action explodes and the pace of the editing quickens). 

• Crosscutting - This is a frequent technique used in tense action scenes to create suspense as the audience are shown multiple events unfolding at the same time - cutting back and forth between them - which often lead to a climactic moment. This keeps the audience very much engaged as there are forced to wait for the significant moment/the action's resolution. 

• Slow motion - In action films slow motion is used to emphasise key moments in the film to the audience. By doing this, it forces the audience to pay more attention to significant details such as an explosion or a character dodging a bullet and therefore it makes this moment more powerful and dramatic.

• Montage sequences - When a character is training or preparing for a big event, a series of short shots are put together (often with an up-tempo, single piece of non-diegetic music) to highlight to the audience that they have been preparing over a significant amount of time. This technique builds excitement and anticipation for the audience as they know that they are about to witness an action-packed scene.

• Jump cuts - Used to emphasise the chaotic nature of a scene where there may be a chase or a fight sequence, but they also help make it feel more intense for the audience as the pace of this type of discontinuity editing technique is very quick.