In the Blink of an Eye: A Perspective on Film Editing by Walter Murch

In the Blink of an Eye, by renowned film editor Walter Murch, is a classic, thought-provoking exploration of the power of film editing to transform any movie into an emotional masterpiece. In this masterpiece, Murch investigates the true nature of editing and sound design, and how to best use them to convey the essence of great storytelling. With insight from distinguished filmmakers, including Francis Ford Coppola, and real-life examples from horror and action films, Murch takes the reader through the various lengths and intensities of editing, from the backlot to the editing room.

Walter Murch offers an inside look at the unique art of film editing and how it can, almost instantaneously, completely change the atmosphere of a movie through brilliantly arranged and combined picture and sound. He traces its beginnings to the early silent films and reveals its hidden power in the development of early movie soundtracks. He believes that a great editor must be equal parts salesperson and storyteller, who uses the footage and recordings at their disposal to craft a compelling story.

Murch examines the visual and auditory elements of cinematic editing and how they are manipulated to create certain feelings or moods in the viewer. He describes the editing process beginning with “assembly”, or the initial order of scenes, to rough cuts and subsequent refinements. He highlights the power of sound design to support, heighten, and complement visual components in order to bring out emotions and elicit greater sympathy for the characters. He speaks to the preferred editing style of directors, producers and editors and encourages editors to be aware of what type of shot will work best for specific scenes.

Throughout the book, Murch takes a look at several classic and beloved films, providing detailed analyses of how the director and the editor worked together to produce the desired result. He also takes readers on a crash course in the world of digital editing, from its early days to its current sophistication. As digital software has become more advanced, the process of creating digital effects has been simplified and more options for creating pictures and sound have been opened up, allowing editors to produce more sophisticated montages.

In the Blink of an Eye is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in filmmaking or just curious about the creative process behind some of the most captivating movies. With his in-depth insights and fascinating stories, Murch not only demonstrates the incredible power of editing in film, but also helps the reader discover their own creative voice in the filmmaking process. For anyone looking to take their filmmaking to the next level, this is the perfect guidebook.