Blog 3: Editing

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA10XayhSOM

In this early clip from the Youtube animated series Hazbin Hotel, the editors are careful about conveying the emotions that the characters are feeling. For example, the shots right before Charlie (the blonde) opens the door are slow and a bit static to convey her anxiety. Then there is matched action between Charlie and Alastor (the red guy) in the doorway to show seamless movement. The camera moves up and down slightly, between them for humorous effect, and also to show how tall Alastor is. This is followed by some reverse shots with Charlie and Vaggie during their conversation, but they are not shown in the same frame together. The 180 degree rule is mostly maintained as Alastor walks into the room, although I think the 180 and 130 degree rules are skewed a little by the fact that it’s animated and the spatial dimensions are 2D, instead of 3D like in live action film. Alastor’s reverse shots with Vaggie mirror those he had with Charlie, to show that he is a stranger to them. Also the eyelines are constructed so that Alastor is always looking down, to show how tall he is and also his dominance in this scenario. Finally we have a point of view sequence in which the camera looks over Vaggie’s shoulder as Alastor intimidates her, before moving back to Vaggie for her reaction shot. Overall the editing in this short scene is subtle and has minimal jump cuts, mostly because the action all takes place in one room (excluding the shots of Charlie from the doorway).