On Film Editing: An Introduction to the Art of Film Construction

by Edward Dmytryk

On Film Editing explains, in simple terms, the principles of film editing, using examples and anecdotes. Written in an informal "how-to-do-it" style, renowned director Edward Dmytyrk shares his expertise and experience in film editing in an anecdotal and philosophical way.

In On Film Editing, Dmytryk contends that many technicians and professionals on the film crew-- from the cameraman and his assistants to the producer and director-- must understand film editing to produce a truly polished work. In this book he explains in layman's terms the principles of film editing, using examples and anecdotes from almost five decades in the film industry.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Media Tie In

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Anna Biller]

Edward Dmytryk was a good editor, but this book is just okay. I learned a few things though. There's this great rule about editing dialogue that I've never seen anywhere else and that I can't wait to try. I also read his book on directing, and although he directed some fantastic films, that was also just okay. Apropos of nothing, I still can't believe that the same person who directed the excellent Crossfire, The Caine Mutiny, Warlock, and The Hidden Room also directed the 1972 travesty Bluebeard starring Richard Burton and Joey Heatherton. But then a lot of people went totally insane in 1972.

[James]

The first chapters of this book are nauseating. On and on about how important an editor is (which I don't disagree with, but...) and how editors save films, and how many bad editors there are in Hollywood that lack Dmytryk's brilliance. I am considering tossing this book and writing off the $20 odd dollars as a bad investment. Dmytryk, please start discussing editing and not how terrible Hollywood is to a man of your genius!

Ok, this book got better as it went on, but Dmytryk didn't let up on how everyone else is a dunce. This is worth reading if you want to thoroughly understand how to edit. It covers some fine points about editing, and although his ego is a bit much, my impression is that Dmytryk is in fact a terrific editor.

I wish he had spent more time writing about the details of editing, instead of his stories about Hollywood. For instance, there was a fascinating discussion about how the human brain registers a film cut and why it is necessary to repeat a movement when changing from, for instance, a medium shot to a close up. More of that would have been better.

[Rasik Tirodkar]

For someone wanting to gain an insight into the art of editing this is one very fine book! Very practical. It is like a textbook or a manual. Almost at the opposite end of the spectrum from 'in the blink of an eye'(which is also a great book). I am going to reread this one soon and jot down notes from it as I am sure I will refer to them even years from now.

[Wicknesan wijeyanandan]

as a cinema lover i was interested to know about how they edit a movie and know its nuances.this book does not teach you how to edit,but it makes you think how they edit and the reason for a particular style adopted in a movie.
by providing adequate examples and abstracts from original script we are made aware of the role an editor plays.
i would recommend this book even to already existing editors as this will raise the level of your creativity.

[Chris]

Short and concise, and far more practical than Walter Murch's books. Which I love, but they are light on craft and heavy on theory/art. Like Davis Mamet's "On Directing Film"-- only for editing.

[Sinan Öner]

American Film Director Edward Dmytryk wrote books on "film making", "film scriptwriting", "film acting", "film editing", his experiences in Hollywood! Edward Dmytryk was one of the greatest film makers in Hollywood in his age. Edward Dmytryk's books on Cinema tells his life in Cinema studios of Hollywood! For comprehensing the techniques of film making, film scriptwriting, film acting and film editing, Edward Dmytryk's books are very useful, very important source books! Edward Dmytryk's books on Cinema shows Edward Dmytryk's character - his differences than other film makers who prefer to write their memoirs only. (Edward Dmytryk thinks his Students in Cinema while he was writing his knowledge of Cinema in the practical history of his Cinema works).

[Maria Lubanovic]

Good and interesting, but not all that helpful for digital editing in 2020. Has some good insights about the editing process though that will probably be relevant forever.

[Sam]

Must read for anyone who wants to learn storytelling through editing, it’s essential read for all editors!

[Farah]

He provides real time examples I found hard to follow. I did not learn much about editing theory either.

[Noodles]

Much more direct and less passive than Walter Murch’s In the Blink of an Eye. Just what I needed as a wake up call.

[Noodles]

Much more direct and less passive than Walter Murch’s In the Blink of an Eye. Just what I needed as a wake up call.

[Talon Stallings]

Very good information... a bit outdated, of course, but pretty good

[Jonah Smith]

Some good knowledge here and there, I’m glad I read it but clearly A. he’s not a professional writer and B. he’s writing to a previous generation.

[Max]

Liked it a lot! I especially liked his rules. I didn't really get a lot out of his examples from scripts, but I suspect that's because it's hard to translate to the written word.

[VampireNovelFan]

While a bit dated, I liked that it was such a resourceful book that you could practically fit into your pocket. Unfortunately, actual film as (as opposed to digital film) does not apply to me. I like that they make is simple by listing the rules. You don't feel as if you have to read everything in depth.

While that's not my biggest purpose with film editing, it has a helpful ending when it comes to editing scripts.

The biggest takeaway that *I* got from this book? Cut in the movement and keep everything continuous. Sometimes that will actually require removal of frames, but it does wonders for flow.

Many say that this book is a must own, but I actually found a good deal of these tips in other texts. I definitely wouldn't knock having this book, because it's actually good to analyze it and realize what you will or won't need and why as the art and technology of editing evolves.

*Review also posted to Amazon

[Marcus Ionis]

Prior to the 90s, there were few and far between of books about editing. Most involved with the mechanics but even fewer discussed the art. Dmytryk whom was an experienced editor laid out the rules and thought process involved. Even though some of these are discussed by Eisenstien and others. He's summoned up and condensed previous authors into his own philosophy. Regardless, what he explains are the core basics of story telling, manipulation of performance and juxtaposition. Even though I had read this book 15 years ago, sometimes being reminded of the basics brings you back to your center.

[Josh]

If you have any interest in editing, or even a general deeper understanding of filmmaking, this book should be required reading. It can be hard to find and a bit expensive to buy, but it is certainly worth it.

Here, classical Hollywood legend Edward Dmytryk gives us theory to back up his editing techniques. He gives specific examples from his films, and even if you haven't seen them, it still makes sense.

[Michael]

This book isn't going to tell you how to edit if you have no editing experience. It's going to expand on editing theory and give some specific examples of problems and how to solve them. It's a book that you definitely want to read and keep in your library.

[James]

Teaches the conventional rules of editing without much note to more artistic/non-hollywood approaches, but that's the purpose of the book. Would be much better with illustrated examples - you have to visualize a lot as you read.

[Emon Hassan]

Read this book while waiting for someone at a Barnes & Noble some years ago. Great book!

[Travis]

Two words- Awe some

[Natalie]

Despite being published in the 80s, Dmytryk is extremely insightful and discusses theory and craft versus the technical aspects. Still useful.