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In the Blink of an Eye Revised 2nd Edition (Paperback)

by Walter Murch (Author)

4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In the Blink of an Eye is celebrated film editor Walter Murch's vivid, multifaceted, thought -- provoking essay on film editing. Starting with what might be the most basic editing question -- Why do cuts work? -- Murch treats the reader to a wonderful ride through the aesthetics and practical concerns of cutting film. Along the way, he offers his unique insights on such subjects as continuity and discontinuity in editing, dreaming, and reality; criteria for a good cut; the blink of the eye as an emotional cue; digital editing; and much more. In this second edition, Murch reconsiders and completely revises his popular first edition's lengthy meditation on digital editing (which accounts for a third of the book's pages) in light of the technological changes that have taken place in the six years since its publication.

About the Author
Walter Murch is the winner of multiple Academy Awards for his work as a film editor and a sound designer. Among his many notable credits are The Conversation, American Graffiti, Julia, Apocalypse Now, The Godfather (parts II and III), The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Ghost, Crumb, Romeo Is Bleeding, First Knight, The English Patient, and The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Product Details

Paperback: 148 pages
Publisher: Silman-James Press; 2 Revised edition (August 1, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1879505622
ISBN-13: 978-1879505629
Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,579 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in these categories: (What's this?)
#1 in Books > Entertainment > Movies > History & Criticism
#3 in Books > Entertainment > Movies > Cinematography
#6 in Books > Entertainment > Movies > Direction & Production

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover

Citations (learn more)

16 books cite this book:

Sight, Sound, Motion: Applied Media Aesthetics by Herbert Zettl on 4 pages
Editing Digital Video : The Complete Creative and Technical Guide by Robert M. Goodman on page 136, and Back Matter
Creative Filmmaking from the Inside Out: Five Keys to the Art of Making Inspired Movies and Television by Jed(Author) ; Krieger, Michael J.(Author); Hodge, Carroll(Author) Dannenbaum in Back Matter
Flash Studio Secrets by Glenn Thomas on page 53
Final Cut Pro 4 for Dummies by Helmut Kobler on page 387

See all 16 books citing this book

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	79% buy the item featured on this page: In the Blink of an Eye Revised 2nd Edition 4.4 out of 5 stars (40) $9.77
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	3% buy The Five C's of Cinematography: Motion Picture Filming Techniques 4.5 out of 5 stars (40) $19.77

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Customer Reviews

40 Reviews

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Average Customer Review

4.4 out of 5 stars (40 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Murch masterfully edits film as the rest of us dream dreams., July 6, 1998

By	Jack Landman "thorough consideration man" (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: In the Blink of an Eye: A Perspective on Film Editing (Paperback)

One of the greatest image and aural montagists of our time is Walter Murch. What makes films like Apocalypse Now, The English Patient, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, or Julia great, just to name a few of Mr. Murch's masterpieces, is often the mostly invisible flow of time and mood. In this book Murch takes us inside the metaphysics of editing film and sound in a most understandable way. Any lover of film will appreciate the different sensibility and perspective than that we usually get from actors and directors. Any would be film editor better read this book to have any chance of rising above mediocrity.

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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From a film editor, January 1, 2004

By	william k wuorinen (missoula, MT United States) - See all my reviews

OK I can't believe the guy who was looking for tips on how to put a scene together. I have been a film and commercial editor for 25 years and Mr. Murch's work is what all who have ever wanted to be an editor look up to. The joy of this book is that it doesn't delve into the nuts and bolts of editing-which is the worst part of my craft-but it focuses on the zen of editing, which is the true joy. I have had the opportunity to cut nine feature films in my life and before I started each one, I read "In the Blink of an Eye" to get me back in that feature film mindframe. God Bless Mr. Murch for his insights. As a fellow editor-and I struggle to live up to the bar you have raised for us-I can only bow down and thank Mr. Murch for passing on his knowledge to us.

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113 of 133 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't "Blink" or you'll miss it, August 25, 2002

By	"maggie333" (Aurora, CO United States) - See all my reviews

Despite the admiration I have for Walter Murch, "In the Blink of an Eye" was a waste of money. The book is actually the transcript of a lecture he gave at a film school, and to his credit, it was not Murch who came up with the idea of marketing it as a full-length book. He did attempt to lengthen this edition by adding a section on digital editing, but still, the book falls short of expectation.

Murch's insights into film editing, both analog and digital, are valuable, and I would recommend picking up the book from the library or sitting down and reading it at your local bookstore - it really is that short, but it's not a keeper.

I bought this book hoping to get some real-world tips to editing - what makes a good cut and what doesn't, pacing, etc., etc., etc., but I came away with just one - cut when you blink. Murch's "blink theory" is interesting, but there's much more to editing than just that. I was looking for more from one of the best editors in the business.

Murch does discuss some of his own experiences while editing movies such as "Apocalypse Now" and "The English Patient", but doesn't really delve into the cutting itself and why he chose certain shots or cut a scene a certain way. The book also discusses the history of digital editing and its future but seems to focus on the attitudes of older directors and editors alike who seem to be afraid of change and insist, like Stephen Spielberg who bought up every Motorola editing system and hired enough technicians who can fix the ancient editors so that he will never have to fire up that computer, that "the old way" is better than the new one.

Murch seems to be in the middle of the debate. It is interesting to hear what he has to say, but it still seems to me to be rehashing the old joke about the grandparents who are unable to set the VCR. For those brought up on digital editing, it is only natural to sit down and touch a keyboard than experience what Murch believes is all important - standing up and touching the film itself.

If you're looking for a little bit of editing theory, a little bit of editing history, a little bit of personal experience, this book delivers, but if you're looking for a more in-depth discussion of editing in the 21st century, I recommend buying any Robert Rodriguez DVD, whether you like the movie or not, and listening to the commentary. Rodriguez not only gives tips on making a movie as a whole, but also how to film to edit, and how to cut scenes - all digitally.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed it
This is a very interesting twist on film editing from a very accomplished editor. With every chapter comes a very inventive way of describing each facet of the editing process.

Published 4 months ago by Setis_ruo

4.0 out of 5 stars Must Read for Editors
All of the material in this book is focused on theatrical films but there are strong correlations to the world in which most of us live, editing on and for computers. Read more

Published 9 months ago by David W. Gibson

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent service and price
The book arrived quickly, in great condition, was a great read and at a good price. Would definitely buy from them again.

Published 10 months ago by Cary Babka

3.0 out of 5 stars On time
This book is considered a "must" for all editors. Murch is pretty famous for his work and style so, in my opinion, I agree it's worth the read (and worth having). Read more

Published 11 months ago by A. Paris

3.0 out of 5 stars more walter murch
are walter murch books overrated? at least there's no trace of michael ondaajte (spelling?) here.

Published 11 months ago by straub

4.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful!
This book has a wealth of information for the inexperienced and beginner film editer, or anyone who is looking for a good book on the subject. Read more

Published 14 months ago by Benjamin D. Iocco

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on editing out there!
This is NOT a "how to" book for what some students may be looking for, but it is however, the best book I've read on the "ART" of editing. Read more

Published 18 months ago by Jaime Byrd

5.0 out of 5 stars The eye is quicker than the hand... when it comes to editing
One frame out of place can make all the difference. This book gives you the tools you'll need to approach editing like the pro's. Read more

Published 20 months ago by John Cardenas

5.0 out of 5 stars Seasoned professional's wisdom of his craft: film editing
This book was a required reading for my national university on-line class in digital video editing. The book is a short read that can be accomplished in two sittings. Read more

Published 23 months ago by T. Ciccone

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read
Whether you have a passing fancy with movie editing, or just want to understand the anatomy of one of our greatest media achievements, you will like this book. Read more

Published on March 13, 2007 by Aria Stuart, PhD

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