Editing a Conversation Scene

Every Scene in a film is important, there should never be a scene that serves no purpose to the films plot, humor, action, or emotion. This includes scenes in which there is mostly conversation between the characters. Now, a scene of just people talking sounds boring, and it is if not executed correctly. Conversation is important in a film because it is the main way in which characters will interact. The viewer should be able to pay attention and be immersed into the film without being bored by a single shot of two people on either side of the screen passing words to each other. 

There is more than just talking that takes place in a conversation. The characters should be acting physically in a manner that is appropriate to their personality and mood. Perhaps one character is sitting in a chair while the other paces back and forth. The pacing can be expressed by the movements of the camera and the cuts made by the editor. When the character who is pacing stops to turn around, cut with the turning, to a new angle that shows the character from a new angle. This can be done in tandem with the character’s topic of discussion. Perhaps in synchronization with the turn and the cut, his subject, tone, or pace of speech changes. Change in the conversation is also something that can warrant a cut. If the subject of conversation shifts, a new angle should be presented as to express the new direction that the conversation is moving in. If a character clenches his fist in anger, a close up of his fist should be shown.

Another thing to keep in mind is that just because a character is speaking, the camera should not exclusively show that character, and the editor should not only show shots of that character. If the character points out some item of importance in the room, the editor should cut to a shot of that item. If a character’s words or actions trigger an emotional or physical response from another character, the editor should cut to the other character as to display that characters reaction.

Camera angling and shot placement can also play a part in how the scene flows. If one character is expressing dominance over another, the dominant character should be shot from a low angle pointing upwards, so the viewer is looking up to the dominant character. In that same scene, the submissive character should be shot from overhead, so the viewer only ever looks down on the submissive character, as to show that character’s weakness and submission. If two characters are working against each other or arguing, they should not be shown together in the same shot. Instead, they should be in separate shots, as to show their opposition to each other. In the same manner, characters working together who are in agreement should be shown in the same shot, as to express unity and understanding between the characters. These things should be kept in mind when shooting/editing a scene.

These rules can be seen in this scene from Silence of The Lambs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU8jKn7sMwU