In-camera editing is a technique where, instead of

editing Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, photographic, visual, audible, or cinematic material used by a person or an entity to convey a message or information. The editing process can involve correction, condensation, o ...

the shots in a film into sequence after shooting, the

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or cinematographer instead shoots the sequences in strict order. The resulting "edit" is therefore already complete when the film is developed. The process takes a lot of planning so that the shots are filmed in the precise order they will be presented. However, some of this time can be reclaimed, as there is no editing, cutting out or reordering scenes later on. When the last scene is filmed by the director or cinematographer, the production is completely finished. A benefit of the technique, largely now irrelevant due to the rise of digital video, is a reduction in the cost of the production. When the cost of film was a significant fraction of the budget, filmmakers used this technique to optimize film usage. Because of its apparent simplicity, in-camera editing is also popular with new students who may lack experience with editing, or who want to skip the editing step. It can also be a very educational process because of time and organizational skills that are required. The discipline required to plan out each shot is a useful

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technique. Many introductory video production courses cover the topic of in-camera editing for this very purpose. The technique may also be used to limit directing and editing interference in a production (often on the part of

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or financiers) because the film exists only as shot, with no options for editing. Any subsequent editing would require costly reshoots and pick-ups. Finally, if the filmmaker does not have access to film editing equipment (notably, a

non-linear editing system Non-linear editing is a form of offline editing for audio, video, and image editing. In offline editing, the original content is not modified in the course of editing. In non-linear editing, edits are specified and modified by specialized sof ...

), then in-camera editing may be the only available option.

Notable uses of in-camera editing

Alfred Hitchcock used the technique, notably in ''

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''. Jean-Luc Godard also made use of it in his film '' Breathless''. Both of these directors helped to create in-camera editing in films and led to the technological advancement of in-camera editing. Steven Spielberg is said to be an ardent fan of this technique.

References

{{Film editing Film and video technology Television terminology