The Book Every Editor Has to Read — Walter Murch and In the Blink of an Eye
Introduction: A Game-Changer in Film Editing
Have you ever wondered what makes a great film editor tick? Or why some movies flow so seamlessly that you forget you’re watching a series of cuts? If you’re curious about the magic behind film editing, there’s one book you absolutely need to read: “In the Blink of an Eye” by Walter Murch.
In this article, we’re diving deep into the world of Walter Murch and his groundbreaking book. We’ll explore why it’s become a must-read for anyone interested in film editing, and how Murch’s insights continue to shape the way we think about this crucial aspect of filmmaking. So, grab your popcorn, and let’s roll the tape on “In the Blink of an Eye: Explained”!
Who is Walter Murch?
Before we jump into the book, let’s get to know the man behind it. Walter Murch isn’t just any film editor – he’s a legend in the industry. Think of him as the Jedi Master of film editing and sound design.
Murch rose to prominence during the late 1960s and 1970s, right in the thick of the New Hollywood movement. This was a time when filmmakers were pushing boundaries and redefining cinema, and Murch was right there in the mix, working with some of the biggest names in the business.
Here’s a quick rundown of Murch’s impressive career:
- He’s collaborated with legendary directors like Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas.
- His filmography reads like a “Greatest Hits” of modern cinema.
- He’s won three Academy Awards and been nominated a whopping nine times. (That’s right, nine times!)
- For his groundbreaking work on “Apocalypse Now,” Murch became the first person ever to be credited as a “Sound Designer.”
In 1995, Murch took his wealth of knowledge and experience and distilled it into “In the Blink of an Eye,” based on a lecture he gave in Sydney, Australia. The book was such a hit that he released a second edition in 2001, adding his thoughts on the emerging world of digital editing.
Why “In the Blink of an Eye” Matters
So, what makes this book so special? Well, imagine having a master chef write down all their secret recipes and techniques. That’s essentially what Murch has done for film editing.
“In the Blink of an Eye” covers a range of topics, but they can be broadly grouped into three main areas:
- Why cuts work
- The Rule of Six
- An editor’s job
Let’s break these down and see why Murch’s insights are so valuable.
Chapter 1: Why Cuts Work
Have you ever thought about why we’re not confused when a movie suddenly jumps from one scene to another? Murch digs into this fascinating question, exploring the psychology behind film editing.
The Evolution of Editing
Murch points out that editing wasn’t always a part of filmmaking. In the early days of cinema, films were essentially just continuous shots. It took a while before someone had the bright idea to put different images together to tell a story.
When filmmakers finally discovered that audiences could follow and make sense of two distinct images placed side by side, it was like unlocking a superpower. As Murch puts it, “Films were no longer earthbound.” This discovery opened up a whole new world of storytelling possibilities.
The Blink Connection
Now, here’s where things get really interesting. Murch argues that the reason we can handle cuts in films is because they mimic something we do naturally: blinking.
Think about it. When you’re having a conversation, you don’t experience the world in one continuous stream. You blink. And according to Murch, these blinks aren’t random – they happen when we’ve fully formed a thought.
He writes, “We entertain an idea. And we blink to separate and punctuate that idea from what follows.” In the same way, a film shot presents us with an idea, and the cut is like a blink that separates and punctuates those ideas.
Murch even goes so far as to use actors’ blinks to inform his editing decisions. For example, when editing “The Conversation,” he found himself cutting close to where Gene Hackman was blinking, as it subconsciously signaled that the character had completed a thought.
Editing as Dream Logic
Another fascinating analogy Murch draws is between film editing and dreaming. Have you ever had a dream where the scene suddenly changes, but it all still makes sense to you? That’s kind of how film editing works.
Murch argues that we accept cuts in movies because they resemble the way images are juxtaposed in our dreams. In a darkened theater, we subconsciously recognize that what we’re seeing can’t be reality because of its visual discontinuity, so we process it as a dream-like experience.
This idea helps explain techniques like the Kuleshov effect, where two different images placed together create a third, separate meaning in the viewer’s mind.
Chapter 2: The Rule of Six
Now we come to what’s probably the most famous part of Murch’s book: the Rule of Six. This is Murch’s priority list for what makes a good cut, and it’s a game-changer for understanding the art of editing.
Here’s the list, in order of importance:
- Emotion (51%)
- Story (23%)
- Rhythm (10%)
- Eye trace (7%)
- Two-dimensional plane of screen (5%)
- Three-dimensional space of action (4%)
Let’s break these down:
1. Emotion
For Murch, emotion is king. He argues that the most important job of an editor is to create a coherent rhythm of emotion and thought. When deciding on a cut, the first question should be: “How does this make you feel, and is that the feeling you want for the film at this point in its storytelling?”
2. Story
Next up is story advancement. Each cut should be necessary to push the narrative forward. If it doesn’t serve the story, it probably doesn’t need to be there.
3. Rhythm
Is the cut happening at the right moment, musically speaking? Or is it like a drummer who comes in too early or too late? Getting the rhythm right is crucial for maintaining the film’s flow.
4. Eye Trace
This refers to where the audience’s eye is focused in the frame. A good edit will consider where the viewer is likely looking and try to make the transition between shots as smooth as possible.
5. Two-Dimensional Plane of Screen
This is often referred to as the 180-degree rule. It’s about maintaining spatial continuity between shots so the viewer doesn’t become disoriented.
6. Three-Dimensional Space of Action
This considers where people are in the room and in relation to one another. While important, it’s the least crucial factor in Murch’s hierarchy.
Murch argues that if you get the top three right – emotion, story, and rhythm – the audience will tend to be forgiving of issues with the bottom three. It’s all about priorities!
Chapter 3: An Editor’s Job
In this section, Murch gets down to the nitty-gritty of what it means to be a film editor. It’s not just about knowing which button to push – it’s about understanding the art and craft of storytelling through film.
Planning and Preparation
Murch emphasizes the importance of having a plan. With thousands of decisions to make in every scene, an editor needs to be organized. He suggests finding a representative still from each shot to help when it comes time to choose which takes to use.
The Physical Act of Editing
Here’s a fun fact: Murch insists on standing while he edits. Why? Because he sees editing as a kind of dance. As he puts it, “When have you ever seen a dancer sitting down to dance?” This physical engagement helps him internalize the visual rhythms of the film.
Collaboration with Directors
Murch stresses the importance of collaboration with directors, but also notes that editors need to bring their own ideas to the table. Directors often come in with preconceptions based on their on-set experiences, while an editor’s job is to see only what’s on the screen – just like the audience will.
Understanding the Audience
Finally, Murch talks about the importance of test audiences. He notes that while audiences are good at noticing when something isn’t working, they’re not always great at explaining why. It’s the editor’s job to interpret this feedback and figure out how to address the underlying issues.
Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of “In the Blink of an Eye”
Walter Murch’s “In the Blink of an Eye” has become a cornerstone text for anyone interested in film editing, and for good reason. It offers deep insights into the art and craft of editing, grounded in decades of practical experience and thoughtful analysis.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, Murch’s ideas about why cuts work, his Rule of Six, and his practical advice on an editor’s job provide a invaluable framework for thinking about editing. His emphasis on emotion and story over technical considerations is a powerful reminder that at its heart, editing is about storytelling.
In today’s world of digital editing and endless technological advancements, Murch’s philosophy remains as relevant as ever. After all, no matter how many visual effects a movie has or what happens on set, most films are still built on the foundation of simple cuts.
So, whether you’re dreaming of Hollywood or just want to understand movies better, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of “In the Blink of an Eye.” Who knows? It might just change the way you see films forever. And remember, in the words of Walter Murch, sometimes you really can fix it in post!