For this assignment, the 3 videos I chose to watch were Hitchcock Loves Bikinis (Bikinis), Match Cut Example (match cut), and Examples of Editing Techniques (editing). All three of these videos taught me a lot about the effectiveness of certain cinematic choices in films, and how acting choices and editing choices are very important when trying to communicate them. Many of them touched on acting choices and facial expressions that reflect the audience's reaction towards a scene, especially when editing to create a match cut. Being precise is very important when trying to employ editing techniques because they require sharp and sometimes identical transitions between scenes. Along with that, pacing really does matter when trying to use these techniques because the timing and speed must be on point to ensure that they are done correctly.
Breaking down each video, in terms of the effectiveness of each of the techniques shown, many of them worked well, while some didn't. The Bikinis and match-cut videos were strong examples of cinematic choices executed well. One of my favorites was the graphic and movement matches from the match cut video, as the necessary preciseness acting wise and editing, required to really make each shot identical to each other was very impressive. The Bikinis video demonstrated the importance of shot order in a film and how each shot shapes the audience's reaction to it. Outside of the well-executed techniques, the slow motion/ montage and the still/thaw frame examples were poorly done. The example used for the slow motion/montage was simply not a montage since there was no proof of changes made to show that time had passed, and the added slow motion was just unnecessary in general. The still/thaw frame, to me, I think, was done poorly because I had zero context for why the actors were so still, and it seemed so unnatural for them to be so still. In the end, this proved how acting choices, editing, and pacing can really make a technique shine or fall short in a film.
Considering the usage of these techniques in the context of films, these videos were reflective of the importance of understanding each of them and making sure they add depth towards any film. It can also attempt to manipulate the audience's reactions towards a scene. These techniques, when used correctly, can be used to add tension in any scene, when left unnoticed. This all boils down to the editing process and making sure films are smooth and have seem less transitions. By doing all of this, amazing films can become masterpieces.