Walter Murch, an acclaimed editor and sound designer, has significantly influenced the world of filmmaking with his work on classics like Apocalypse Now, The Godfather, and The English Patient. His book, In the Blink of an Eye, is considered essential reading for anyone interested in film editing.
Murch delves into the art and science of editing, exploring why cuts work and how they resonate with audiences. He compares the logic of editing to the way we dream and blink, suggesting that cuts should often align with an actor’s blinks to match natural thought and emotional shifts.
One of the book’s highlights is Murch’s Rule of 6, a hierarchy of priorities editors should consider when making cuts: emotion, story, rhythm, eye trace, the 180-degree rule, and three-dimensional space.
Murch’s illustrious career has earned him numerous accolades, including three Academy Awards: Best Sound for Apocalypse Now and both Best Film Editing and Best Sound for The English Patient. He has also received several other nominations, such as for his work on The Godfather Part III and Cold Mountain.
Murch also shares insights into the collaborative nature of editing, the transition to digital techniques, and his unique habit of editing while standing.
In the Blink of an Eye remains a timeless guide, offering invaluable lessons that continue to shape the craft of editing for both novices and seasoned professionals.
