Impact of Editing on Storytelling
A Study of Netflix’s It’s What’s Inside
In an era of cinematic abundance, it’s not just the stories that captivate us—it’s how those stories are told. The latest Netflix release, It’s What’s Inside, is a glowing example of a film that achieves storytelling through style, using inventive editing, bold lighting, split screens, and dazzling camera work to elevate its narrative. The movie is a masterclass in how visual and cinematic techniques can add layers to a story, making it more immersive and emotionally resonant. This article delves into the stylistic brilliance of It’s What’s Inside (2024) and explores how filmmakers can adopt similar techniques to make their films unforgettable.
The Impact of Cool Editing on Storytelling
In It’s What’s Inside, editing isn’t just about stitching scenes together. The cuts are deliberate and fast-paced, sometimes lingering for just a moment longer than expected, and at other times, snipping away to jar the audience into attention. This constant rhythm is a storytelling device that mirrors the characters’ inner turmoil and fractured reality. The frequent use of jump cuts during moments of emotional climax, or sudden slow-motion that contrasts with the rest of the scene’s speed, adds tension and keeps the audience guessing.
Clever Use of Split-Screen: Parallel Narratives in One Frame
One of the standout techniques in It’s What’s Inside is its frequent use of split-screen. Rather than merely dividing the frame for practical reasons, the film uses this device to explore multiple perspectives simultaneously. In key moments, two characters are shown experiencing the same event from different angles, offering contrasting emotional reactions or hidden truths. This visual device heightens the tension but is also a great way for the filmmaker to help the audience keep track of who is in whose body, as the characters switch bodies often, the split screen helps convey multiple experiences and decreases any confusion.
Neon Lighting: A Dazzling Visual Signature
One of the most striking features of It’s What’s Inside is its bold, extreme neon lighting. Fluorescent pinks, greens, and blues saturate the frame, giving the movie an otherworldly glow that reflects the characters' emotional extremes and mental states. Neon lighting isn’t merely an aesthetic choice—it serves as a metaphor, illuminating the intense emotions and psychological complexities of the film’s characters. Whether it’s a disorienting nightclub scene or a quiet, introspective moment bathed in glowing purples, the lighting plays an integral role in setting the mood and amplifying the film’s emotional stakes.
Photographic Montage Flashbacks: The Power of Memories
Throughout It’s What’s Inside, photographic montages are used to depict flashbacks—fragmented, almost dreamlike sequences that recall past events. These rapid-fire images provide insight into characters’ backstories without resorting to traditional flashbacks, adding a layer of mystery. The jarring, almost photographic quality of these montages mimics the fragmented way we recall memories, sometimes vividly clear and at other times distorted and incomplete.
For filmmakers, montage sequences offer a quick yet powerful way to convey backstory or emotional depth. Photographic montages, in particular, can add a more personal, intimate touch, as if you’re glimpsing into a character’s private photo album. Use them sparingly for maximum impact, but when paired with music, sound design, or a voiceover, they can create poignant, reflective moments within your film.
Acrobatic Camera Moves: Kinetic Energy in Every Scene
The camera in It’s What’s Inside seems to have a life of its own, constantly in motion, mimicking the energy and unpredictability of the characters. From dizzying 360-degree spins to vertigo-inducing crane shots, the acrobatic camera work serves as a visual metaphor for the film's chaos and psychological tension. These dynamic shots aren’t just visually impressive—they add a visceral quality to the action and drama, making the audience feel the physical and emotional weight of every moment.
Dynamic camera movement is a powerful tool for filmmakers to control the viewer’s experience. Smooth tracking shots can give a sense of fluidity or calm, while sudden jerks or unconventional angles can disorient and challenge the viewer, amplifying tension. Consider how your camera movement can reflect your characters' emotional state or the mood of a scene. The more creatively you use your camera, the more immersive and impactful your film will become.
Why It’s What’s Inside Works: The Power of Stylistic Cohesion
The key to the success of It’s What’s Inside lies in the way all these stylistic choices come together. None of these techniques exist in isolation; they are interwoven to serve the story. The editing, lighting, camera movement, and split-screen all work in harmony to create a visual language that reflects the movie’s themes of internal conflict, fractured identity, and emotional chaos.
For filmmakers, the lesson here is that style should always serve the story. It’s not enough to simply use cool techniques for their own sake—each choice must contribute to the film’s emotional core. Whether it’s through dynamic editing, bold lighting, or inventive camera work, every decision should enhance the viewer’s understanding of the characters and their journey.
How Filmmakers Can Develop Their Own Unique Style
Experiment with Editing: Play with pacing and rhythm to reflect your characters’ emotions or the tone of a scene. Don't be afraid to linger on moments or cut abruptly to jolt the viewer.
Use Split-Screen to Build Tension: Split-screen can allow you to show multiple perspectives, create contrast, or give more information without traditional cuts. It’s a tool that adds complexity when used strategically.
Lighting as Emotion: Neon lighting is a great way to create mood, but think about how any light source can reflect the emotional intensity of a scene. Colour and light are powerful tools for building an atmosphere.
Montages for Memory: Use photographic montages to depict flashbacks or fragmented memories. This can be a more creative, poetic approach to traditional flashback sequences.
Move the Camera with Purpose: Let your camera tell part of the story. Acrobatic, fluid or even jarring movements can reflect the emotional or psychological state of your characters.
By embracing these techniques, filmmakers can craft their own unique visual styles, creating films that are not only compelling in story but also memorable in their execution. Just as It’s What’s Inside demonstrates, style and substance go hand in hand, making for a truly unforgettable cinematic experience.
