THE STUDY AND ANALYSIS OF EDITING STYLES TO CREATE MEANING AND EMOTION OF A SHORT FILM “STORY OF MY HOMETOWN”

Abstract

Introduction: Film editing serves as “the final rewriting” playing a critical role in organizing narrative information and emotional resonance. Objective: This qualitative research aims to examine the editing styles used to construct meaning and emotion in five short films from the “Creative Media My Home, Your Home” project. Method: The study employs qualitative content analysis grounded in the theoretical frameworks of Montage Theory and Continuity Editing as its primary methodology. Results: The findings reveal that emerging filmmakers effectively adapt universal editing techniques to convey local contexts; specifically, continuity editing is strictly utilized to maintain narrative flow and establish verisimilitude, while cross - cutting is applied in a manner akin to “intellectual montage” to foster thematic resonance. Additionally, montage and dynamic editing are strategically used for temporal compression and pacing to heighten abstract emotional intensity, though flashback and flashforward techniques were absent due to the focus on present-day narratives. Conclusion: Ultimately, the research concludes that the strategic selection of editing styles significantly influences the creation of an “emotional syntax” and enhances content quality, demonstrating how universal cinematic language can be powerfully adapted to articulate Thai local identity. These insights provide a valuable foundation for integrating the art and science of film sequencing into digital film and creative media curricula to develop the potential of future editors.