The Technique of Film and Video Editing: History, Theory, and Practice

By Ken Dancyger

Book Overview

This seventh edition of The Technique of Film and Video Editing provides a detailed, precise look at the artistic and aesthetic principles and practices of editing for both picture and sound.

Industry veteran Ken Dancyger puts into context the storytelling choices an editor will have to make against a background of theory, history, and practice across a range of genres, including action, comedy, drama, documentary, and experimental forms, featuring analysis of dozens of classic and contemporary films. This seventh edition includes new chapters on the developments of different genres and how these changes have affected editing decisions. This includes the recent predominance of biopic films, such as Oppenheimer (2023) and Maestro (2023), which will both be compared with earlier precedents, such as The Life of Emile Zola and Elizabeth. Then the book will also consider the changes and movements with melodrama, comedy, and soft satire.

This is an essential resource for students and professionals seeking both a contextual background as well as a practical guide for the best editing tips and tricks.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1032849797
• ISBN13: 9781032849799
• Release Date: December 2025
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 530 Pages

Customer Reviews

A thoroughly "reader friendly" introduction and survey of proven editing techniques

Now in an updated and expanded third edition, The Technique Of Film And Video Editing: History, Theory, And Practice by Ken Dancyger (Professor of Film and Television, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University) provides a thoroughly "reader friendly" introduction and survey of proven editing techniques and how those techniques influence the editing process, as well as presenting the history, theory, and aesthetics of editing in film and video. Nicely organized into three major sections (History of Film Editing; Editing for the Genre); and Principles of Editing), The Technique Of Film And Video Editing is enhanced with the inclusion of "Cutting Room Procedures", a filmography, a glossary, a selected bibliography for further study, and a comprehensive index. No film school or academic library film/video production instructional collection can be considered complete without the inclusion of The Technique Of Film And Video Editing as a core reference. Also very highly recommended for film students and aspiring film makers from Focal Press is Blain Brown's Cinematography: Image Making For Cinematographers, Directors, And Videographers (02-40805003, $44.99).

1st class

film, video, non-linear, linear - it's all pictures and sound. This book was everything i was looking for. It's not an explanation of how to edit. It's about how to think, how to dig deep inside your feelings and appy those feelings to the work you do. Forget the technicalities, forget the jargon, this is about asking yourself the question - what do i want the viewer to feel? It inspires you to think beyond what you know. I have been editing for a number of years - i am a better editor after reading this book.