EDITING IN CUFFS

PREP Analyse how editing is used in the extract from Cuffs to create meaning. Refer to at least two examples from the extract in your answer. (This means that a good candidate will write fully and freely, covering more than just 2 examples, as we practised in class).
Worth 5 marks: write half a side of A4 and post on your blog tonight. If you have DoE, take an extra 24 hours.

The editing in the scene where the officers are having a fight in the racist's thug house emphasizes how Jake feels and deals with the stressful situation. The video is blurred and slowed down so we as watchers can understand how he is feeling, caught up in the moment and very flourished with everything that is going on. The shot reverse shot also implys he has trouble focusing as his point of view is constantly being rushed around from person to person. The muffled screaming of the PC's asking for help of him adds to the whole frantic and terrifying scene. 

When the distraught mother is talking to DI Felix Kane, he refuses to meet her eye as he is embarrassed and unsure of what to do. The shot reverse shot of the two characters show the awkwardness and uncertainty of the DI, and the utter despair and worry of the mother who's child has been abducted.

Another example of meaningful editing would be when DI Kane is inspecting the footage that the father took of himself and his child and he finds a clue, the way in which he rewinds and repeats the footage creates a suspense that he would be caught. The last frame is held for a long time as he processes what he has seen, this shows to the audience that he has got the clue he needs to track down the abductor. It is followed by extreme closeup of a sheet of paper with few pens on top with a logo of the hotel they are in.

The shot reverse shot between DI Kane and Lauren's father shows the suspense between the two characters. The slow zoom into the hand grasping the ledge and the innocent frightened girl in the reflection of the window slowly enhances the anxious tone. The camera lingers on Kane as he has to think of what he may do and the knock on effect of what he may do may lead the man to jump and trigger him. He catches him as he is about to jump and the camera spends time on Lauren's father to show how he is surprised that he could've just ended his life.