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While the art of film editing is often what we talk about here, the realm of television presents its own captivating landscape of challenges and innovations. Especially in the modern 'Golden Age of TV', television editing has always evolved to meet the demands of a rapidly changing viewing landscape.
This blog post will delve into the fascinating evolution of television editing, from the high-pressure environment of live broadcasts to the sophisticated tools and techniques used in today's modern television paradigm.
The early days of television were a thrilling, high-pressure environment. Unlike today's often pre-recorded and heavily edited shows, literally, everything was broadcast as it occurred LIVE. Editors, or more accurately "vision mixers" in this era, played a crucial role in shaping the narrative on the fly. They had to juggle multiple cameras, anticipate upcoming shots, and make split-second decisions about what the audience saw.
Despite the limitations, early editors developed ingenious techniques to create a captivating viewing experience, such as:
Split Screens and Fade-Ins: Instead of simply cutting abruptly from one camera to another, editors started using split screens to show two simultaneous events. This added dynamism and allowed viewers to follow unfolding stories in different locations. Fade-ins, where one image gradually replaced another, helped create smoother transitions between shots.
In-Camera Editing: This technique relied heavily on camera operators who would physically zoom in and out, pan across the set, or change focus to create a sense of editing within a single shot. This required precise coordination between editors and camera crews to achieve the desired effect.
The Ed Sullivan Show (1948-1971): This iconic variety show often utilised split screens to showcase multiple performers simultaneously, keeping the audience engaged in the fast-paced format.
Presidential Debates (1960): The first televised presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon is considered a landmark moment in the use of close-up shots to emphasise facial expressions and body language, a technique refined through live editing.
By overcoming the challenges of live editing, these pioneers laid the groundwork for the storytelling techniques we see in television today. They proved that creativity and resourcefulness could create captivating television experiences even with limited tools.
The late 1950s brought a seismic shift in TV editing with the introduction of videotape, ushering in an era of enhanced creative freedom. This pivotal development allowed editors to refine their work in post-production, fundamentally transforming television storytelling.
The Ampex VRX-1000, unveiled in 1956, began a new era. With its $50,000 price tag, editing on tape was initially a luxury only accessible to television networks and the most prominent stations, highlighting its status as a groundbreaking yet exclusive piece of technology. Unlike the high-pressure environment of live broadcasts, videotape allowed for recording footage and editing it in post-production.
This revolutionised the editing process, opening doors for:
Dragnet (1951-1970): This classic detective series embraced videotape early on, using it to film scenes on location and then seamlessly edit them together.
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson(1962-1992): Videotape allowed for pre-recorded segments, celebrity interviews, and comedic sketches to be seamlessly integrated into the live show, enhancing its entertainment value.
The following clip was from much later, as clips of the show have been lost in time.
The 1990s ushered in a new era of television editing with the rise of non-linear editing systems (NLEs). Unlike linear videotape editing, where edits were made sequentially, NLEs (like Lightworks) allowed editors to work on any part of a project at any time.
This paradigm shift transformed the television editing landscape by providing:
ER (1994-2009): This medical drama was an early adopter of NLEs, allowing for fast-paced editing and dynamic cuts between multiple storylines within an episode.
The Sopranos (1999-2007): This groundbreaking HBO series utilised NLEs to create a more cinematic feel, with longer takes, complex editing sequences, and a further blurring of the lines between television and film.
NLEs also allowed TV to catch up with its cinema cousin, which stood at the forefront of blending the fantastical with the real, making previously unimaginable visuals a staple on our small screens.
NLEs equipped television productions with unprecedented capabilities:
Game of Thrones (2011-2019): Leveraging NLEs, this epic fantasy series integrated large-scale CGI battles and fantastical creatures, pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling on television.
Stranger Things (2016-Present): Combining practical effects with digital artistry, this series created a unique aesthetic that seamlessly bridges the real with the imagined, showcasing the power of NLEs in enhancing narrative immersion.
The modern era of television editing, fueled by advancements in non-linear editing systems (NLEs), has ushered in a new standard of cinematic quality that blurs the line between television and film. Highly technical editing techniques, once exclusive to the cinema, such as elaborate slow-motion sequences, seamless transitions, and detailed scene construction, are now staples in television production.
With its embrace of technological advancements, television sets a new benchmark for long-form storytelling. The small screen now competes directly with the big screen regarding narrative complexity and visual spectacle.
The journey through television's editing landscape reveals a story of relentless innovation and adaptation. From the raw immediacy of live broadcasts to the digital finesse of modern post-production, editors have consistently pushed the boundaries of storytelling. The introduction of videotape and later, the revolutionary shift to non-linear editing systems (NLEs), have not only expanded the creative horizons but also redefined the viewer's experience, bringing cinematic quality into our living rooms.
This golden age of television is a testament to the editors' ingenuity. They leverage advanced technologies like NLEs to craft narratives of unprecedented complexity and depth. As we look to the future, it's clear that the evolution of editing will continue to shape the essence of not only television, but all the content we create and consume.
For deeper dives into editing techniques and Lightworks tutorials, visit Lightworks Resources. Enhance your skills, discover community insights, and bring your creative visions to life.
Transform your video editing journey with Lightworks. Whether crafting a short film, a documentary, or a personal vlog, Lightworks gives you the tools to tell your story your way. Download now and embark on your path to becoming a master storyteller.
In our commitment to transparency and ethical practice, we wish to disclose that artificial intelligence (AI) played a role in crafting this piece. However, it remains primarily a human endeavour, with the core content written, edited, and meticulously proofread by our team.
AI was primarily used to workshop drafts, research topics, and ensure a consistent writing style. Importantly, our use of AI is designed to complement, not replace, our team's efforts. It allows us to efficiently use our resources, enhancing our work without compromising or diminishing the value of human skill and creativity.
