How do movies get edited and cut down from their original length?

Movie editing is a crucial part of the post-production process that turns raw footage into a finished product. Editing involves selecting the best takes, cutting out unnecessary footage, and arranging scenes to create a cohesive story.

Once filming is complete, the editor receives all the footage and begins reviewing it to get an understanding of what was captured. Then, they start the assembly process, piecing together the raw footage into a rough cut. The rough cut is reviewed and revised multiple times until the editor and director are satisfied.

One of the key techniques used by editors to shorten movies is called 'cutting on action'. This is when a cut is made during a movement or action, such as a character turning their head, to make the cut less noticeable. Another technique is to use cross-cutting or parallel editing, which involves cutting between two or more scenes happening simultaneously to create tension and build excitement.

Once the final cut is approved, the sound team adds music, sound effects, and dialogue, and the color grading team adjusts the colors and contrast to ensure consistency throughout the film.