A Research Investigation on the Changes in Editing Technology and Narrative Techniques of Selected Tamil Cinema

 

Hari Prasad ¹ , Senthil Kumar ²

 

¹ Research Scholar and Associate Professor, Department of Visual Communication, SRM Arts and Science College and VISTAS, Chennai, India

² Research Supervisor, and Associate Professor, Department of Visual Communication, VISTAS, Chennai, India

 

1. INTRODUCTION

Throughout the history of film editing technology, a plethora of significant milestones and innovations have played an indispensable role in molding the progression of this domain. In the timeframe encompassing the 1890s to the 1900s, the nascent stages of cinema bore witness to a noteworthy transformation in editing methodologies. Initially, films predominantly unfolded in a single continuous shot, thereby necessitating minimal intervention in the editing realm. Nonetheless, as filmmakers ventured into the uncharted territories of the medium, rudimentary editing methodologies such as cutting emerged to establish a seamless flow between disparate scenes. The introduction of seminal inventions like the Kinetoscope in 1891 and the Mutoscope in 1894, both attributed to the ingenuity of Thomas Edison, enabled audiences to partake in short cinematic experiences but lacked the sophistication essential for intricate editing procedures.

Transitioning into the epoch spanning from the 1910s to the 1920s, a momentous juncture in the annals of film editing transpired with the inception of continuity editing. Visionaries like D.W. Griffith assumed a pivotal role in laying the groundwork for this editing style, aimed at ensuring narrative cohesion through techniques such as cross-cutting and parallel editing. By seamlessly interlacing diverse shots and sequences, continuity editing spearheaded a revolution in the narrative capabilities of cinema and set the foundation for subsequent advancements in the field. This period witnessed a paradigm shift towards more refined editing techniques, thereby paving the way for the exploration of intricate narrative frameworks and visual storytelling methods in the domain of filmmaking. The development of editing technology during this specific timeframe denoted a critical juncture in the cinematic saga, underscoring an escalating emphasis on the artistry and dexterity entailed in sculpting cinematic narratives through the editing conduit.

Sound editing technology brought about a major shift in cinema editing throughout the 1930s and 1940s, resulting in linear editing devices such as the Moviola and synchronized soundtracks. Non-linear editing gained popularity in the 1950s and 60s, because to advancements in magnetic tape technology that made devices like the CMX 600 possible. Digital non-linear editing systems such as Montage and EditDroid began to appear in the 1970s and 1980s, and in 1989 AVID Media Composer completely changed the sector. In the 1990s and 2000s, the digital revolution persisted with the release of sophisticated editing tools like Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro, along with the development of digital intermediate (DI) procedures.

 

2. Review of Literature

The search for novel methods that accept inner realities has impacted the development of editing technology in the Tamil cinema industry [1]. Technological developments have made it possible for filmmakers to work on a more difficult craft, telling complex tales and influencing the creation of unique techniques and styles [2]. Nevertheless, despite the linear advancement of technology, the filmmaker's skill in properly expressing stories and emotions is a more important factor in determining the quality of a film than its technological sophistication [3]. Extraction of co-reference chains from text has been studied in the Tamil language, demonstrating the significance of cohesive indicators such as pronouns and lexical cohesion in natural language processing applications [4]. The various film industries use different ways for editing films. Three distinct ways to editing exist: Hollywood, Soviet montages, and the Indian film business. Modern digital editing tools have been included into editing technology in the Indian film industry [5]. In contrast, Hollywood has a long tradition of editing techniques, emphasizing the creation of cohesive end products that capture the vision of the filmmaker [6]. On the other hand, Soviet montages—which were led by directors such as Ėsfir' Sub and Elizaveta Svilova—highlighted the ability of editing to create alternative narratives and subvert official versions, demonstrating the strength of editing in transforming meaning in motion pictures [7]. Every sector adds to the rich tapestry of cinematic narrative with its own distinct viewpoint and methods for the craft of film editing [8]. According to Lavanya et al. (2020) there is a change in editing and other filmic technology between the colonial period and post-colonial era period in Indian cinema. Swarnavel, Eswaran, Pillai (2012) conducted research on the changes in Tamil cinema industry during the 1970s. This research focused on movies like Uthiripookal, Mullum malarum, 16 Vayathiniley. Aval appadithan. It showed that there was a big change in the portrayal of hero and protagonist characterization during the 1970s. According to Manoj kumar (2016), the technology assisted the film makers to narrate the story in an effective manner. This research showed the importance of technology and narration in filmmaking. Over time, editing technique in Tamil film has seen substantial evolution. An important turning point in the history of Tamil film occurred when it moved from the classical to the post-classical era of the studio system [9]. Furthermore, from 2010 to 2020, technical developments have an influence on the stories in current Tamil film, particularly in the sci-fi genre, which combines commercial aspects with science concepts to pique viewers' imaginations [10]. Given Tamil's complex morphology and agglutinative character, spell checkers for the language have been difficult to develop. Novel strategies that make use of hash tables and n-gram algorithms have been put forth to improve the effectiveness of Tamil spell checkers, yielding suggestions that are 95% accurate [11]. These developments are a reflection of Tamil cinema's ongoing attempts to improve editing technology.

The visual narratives and storytelling strategies used in Tamil film have been greatly influenced by the technological revolution in editing. The creation of creative and culturally appropriate title designs for Tamil movie posters has been greatly aided by the advancement of digital typography and design [12]. In addition, the integration of scientific principles into Tamil sci-fi film storylines has given writers a distinctive opportunity to combine science and commercial aspects, provoking viewers' curiosity [13]. In addition to having an effect on the visual elements of filmmaking, this technical progress has also had an impact on how society's problems are portrayed. For example, Tamil cinema has represented unemployment and the IT boom, which has ramifications for gender roles and cultural shifts [14].

The development of digital technologies has had a major impact on the revolution in editing technique in Indian cinema [15]. The development of editing technologies has caused a change in the emphasis of filmmaking towards post-production procedures, which gives viewers a more engaging experience and fosters screenwriters' creativity and originality [16]. The lines between the pre-production, production, and post-production phases have become less distinct as a result of this shift, enabling a more fluid and integrated workflow [17]. Notwithstanding the advantages of digital editing, there are drawbacks as well, such the possibility of losing the atmosphere and minute nuances of movies, which detracts from the whole cinematic experience [18]. In addition to changing the technical elements of filmmaking, the use of digital editing technology has also had an impact on the socio-technological environment of Indian cinema [19]. DVD releases and online streaming are common forms of display in the digital revolution, often known as the digital break through evolution, which is the shift from analog to digital technology [20].

 

3. Research methodology

The case study technique is an excellent tool for researching how Tamil cinema has evolved in terms of film editing technology. This is the reason why:

Over a century has been the rich and varied history of Tamil film. Case studies provide a detailed knowledge of the technological breakthroughs and editing techniques used in various situations by enabling in-depth investigation of certain films or times.

In order to get primary sources including movies, filmmaker interviews, and archive materials, this study used case studies. The adoption of editing technologies and techniques across time, as well as the influence of socio-cultural elements on editing practices in Tamil cinema, are traced through this comparative analysis of the sources.

This case study technique provides a versatile and comprehensive approach to researching the evolution of film editing technology in Tamil cinema, allowing scholars to investigate the role of technology, aesthetics, culture, and industry dynamics in changing editing practices across time.

 

Selected Tamil film case studies for the research:

Here are five noteworthy examples of the development of editing in Tamil cinema, along with the related films and technological innovations.

 

"Indian" (1996): Utilizing CGI and Special Effects

S. Shankar's breakthrough film "Indian" featured the first use of computer-generated imagery and innovative special effects in Tamil cinema. By skillfully fusing live-action video with computer-generated graphics using sophisticated editing techniques, the movie raised the bar for visual effects in Indian cinema.

 

"Anbe Sivam" (2003) - Parallel editing and cross-cutting

Breakthrough: "Anbe Sivam," directed by Sundar C., showed off advanced editing methods including cross-cutting and parallel editing to juggle several story lines.

The Digital Intermediate (DI) Process in "Aayirathil Oruvan" (2010) is a breakthrough. Selvaraghavan's "Aayirathil Oruvan" was one of the first Tamil movies to make considerable use of the digital intermediate (DI) technology. This made it possible to precisely color grade, improve the visuals, and manipulate the footage after production, creating an aesthetically spectacular movie experience.

 

Digital Non-linear Editing in "Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom" (2012)

Breakthrough: AVID Media Composer and Adobe Premiere, two digital non-linear editing programs, were used to edit the movie instead of the more conventional linear editing techniques. More adaptability and efficiency in the editing process were made possible by this.

"Visaranai" (2015): A Breakthrough in Realistic Editing and Documentary Style Under Vetrimaaran's direction, "Visaranai" took on an unvarnished and authentic editing style that was evocative of documentarian cinema. The film received critical praise and honors, including an official Oscar entry, for its realistic representation of real-life events and its minimalist editing style.

Figure 1

Figure 1 Indian

 

Figure 2

Figure 2 Anbe Sivam

 

Figure 3

 

Figure 3 Anbe Sivam

 

Figure 4

 

Figure 4 Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom

 

Figure 5

Figure 5 Visaranai

 

These movies reveal innovations that have pushed the limits of storytelling and visual expression, and they mark important turning points in the development of editing technology and methods in Tamil cinema.

 

4.  Findings of the research

Editing evolution in Tamil cinema

·        The main differences in editing and storytelling strategies in each of these films:

·        "Indian" (1996) featured dynamic editing that smoothly incorporated visual effects and CGI into the story. The film's action moments and visual effects were enhanced by fast-paced cuts and transitions.

·        The film's plot was built on a dual timeline, which juxtaposed the past and present to expose the protagonist's origins and objectives. This nonlinear narrative style deepened the character and increased tension.

·        "Anbe Sivam" used cross-cutting and parallel editing methods to connect numerous story strands and timeframes. The editing method enhanced the film's conceptual complexity and emotional impact, allowing for subtle character development and narrative.

·        The film's plot was driven by its examination of humanity and compassion, with the cutting emphasizing the individuals' intertwined lives and experiences. Through its unique editing, "Anbe Sivam" effectively communicated its message of love and empathy to the viewers.

·        "Aayirathil Oruvan" used the digital intermediate (DI) technology to improve its visual aesthetics and atmospheric quality. The film's editing used minor color grading and post-production alteration to produce a unique visual palette that fit the historical context.

·        The story of "Aayirathil Oruvan" evolved through a mix of epic adventure and political intrigue, using editing that added to the film's epic scope and immersive world-building. The film's skillful editing transported viewers to a mystical realm full of mystery and peril.

·        "Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom" (2012) used a realistic editing approach to match its improvised humor and slice-of-life storyline. The editing in the film provided a feeling of spontaneity and authenticity, which enhanced the characters' humorous timing and relatability.

·        The film's plot evolved through a succession of episodic vignettes, with editing used to emphasize the absurdity and hilarity of ordinary life. With its unconventional editing, "Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom" portrayed the peculiarities and oddities of its characters with charm and wit.

·        "Visaranai" (2015) used a raw and visceral editing technique to represent its documentary-inspired approach to narrative. The film's editing avoided cinematic standards in favor of a vérité style, resulting in an immersive and brutal presentation of its topic.

 

5. Conclusion

The study's findings suggest that the selected Tamil movies utilized unique editing techniques and narrative strategies to communicate their stories with precision, illustrating the changing terrain of Tamil cinema and the innovative opportunities facilitated by advances in editing tools. This study suggests that as editing technology advances, filmmakers attempt to experiment with new story structures and narrative approaches. This comprises non-linear storytelling, fragmented narratives, and subjective perspectives, all of which challenge traditional storytelling rules and push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling in Tamil cinema. This research clearly shows the relationship between the development of genre, story narrative techniques and the evolution in digital technology and non-linear editing methods.

 

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

None. 

 

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

None.

 

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