5 Master Editing Technique Mini-Analysis

 

In this clip from the office, season 2, episode "Halloween", Jim and Pam are trying to pull a prank on Dwight. This is because in the prior mid shot double scene Dwight approaches Jim at reception to ask what he was dressed up as again. He then goes on to say "oh yeah, three whole *punches jim*". After Dwight hits Jim, the camera gets a close up shot of Jims face to show that he is now annoyed at Dwight. Immidiately after this there's a double shot of Jim and Pam in one corner of the frame and Dwight in the other corner. Dwight is blurred out as it's focused on Jim and Pam plotting a prank. This is done to emphasize that Dwight is clueless of what's happening right behind him. As they start to talk the camera zooms in to emphasize how close you'd have to get to hear them since they're whispering. 

The Office is known for incorporating interview style shots. This is done so we can connect more to the characters and what they think about the scene that just occurred. It allows the viewer to connect more with the character as it builds each ones personality. Not only that but It adds more detention and meaning to future scenes now that we know what the character is thinking and gonna do. For instance, in this scene Jim is getting interviewed on the Dwight prank situation. Jim is placed correctly in the rule of thirds. Jim explains what him and Pams prank actually is and what they're doing. Therefore in this context Jim provides more information as he clears up whats going on in the scene. While Jim is talking it's edited in the Way that is goes back in forth from the past (Jim and Pam plotting) and the present (Jims interview).

The workers of the office are admiring everyone's costumes. It is editited in a way that moves with Jim as he was first to get complimented on his "3 hole punch" Jim costume. The shot is taken in a downwards angle as it appears that Jim is looking down on Dwight.It moves to double wide shot of Phillis and Dwight. Phillis is smiling as Jims costume out of frame, while Dwight has a jealous facial expression. Dwight then precedes to show off his costume, while phillis asks him if he's a monk. The camera zooms into Dwights defeated face, as it pans over to Jim smirking at Phillis's comment.

Michael has been notified from corporate that today he has to let somebody go. Michael waited until the Halloween party to fire someone.  He's having doubts of everyone in the office as the workers keep being extra nice to Michael so he wont fire them. Michael chooses to fire Devyn, who doesn't take it well. Michael tries to make it up by giving him a chillis coupon. Devyn rips it up, and the camera pans to Michaels sad face. The office members leave before the Halloween party which disappoints Michael. The shot shown below is meant to emphasize how sad and alone Michael actually is as he acts happy when in front of the camera. 

 

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Michael makes Jim help him in firing someone. Jim goes into Michaels office where they then switch places, putting Jim in the powerful manager position. This is emphasized by the angle of the camera looking up towards Jim and down towards Michael. Once Michael is done practicing to fire someone, he picks Creed. Creed is called into Michaels office where he gets his way of of being fired and tells him to fire Devyn instead. Michael tells Devyn that Creed was the one that told him he should be fired and he hopes they can still be friends. The camera is then in a close up shot of Devyns annoyed faced. Following that the next clip is Devyn storming of Michaels office where they both have another dispute. The camera shows wide shot of the other office workers to get their reaction to the situation.