How to Calculate Media Pacing

Pacing also can be used to induce drama and tension.

Media pacing, or just pacing, is a term used to describe the pace of the content. Pacing is felt by the audience but not consciously. It is the tempo of the animation, film, TV show or other content. The pacing is normally determined by the editor. Pacing can be quick, as in a dance music video. It can be slow, as in a historical documentary. Pacing is heavily influenced by the speed and frequency of cuts.

Things You'll Need

• Paper and pencil
• Stop watch (if necessary)

Instructions

1. Watch the program on a computer or using a DVD player. The program must be watched on something that can pause and rewind.

2. Watch the program and count the length of time between cuts. The program will have many cuts. A cut is when the images switch from one camera to another. For example, from one character to another. You must be accurate with your counting, as the cuts will be quick. Rewind and recount if you missed something.

3. Total up the times of the different cuts at the end of the program. For example, the number of cuts less than one second, the number of one-to-two second cuts, two-to-three second cuts and so on.

4. Compare the number of cuts to each other. For example, 300 two-to-three second cuts, 200 three-to-four second cuts. This data will tell you a lot about the pacing. If the majority of cuts are short, then the pacing is probably fast. If the cuts are longer, then the pacing is likely slower.

Tips & Warnings

• Pacing often changes over the course of the program. Some scenes or segments may be faster, others slower. By calculating and comparing the pacing in different segments, you may be able to determine how the director or editor increases or relaxes tension and drama at various points during the course of the program.

References

• "Film Editing: Great Cuts Every Filmmaker and Movie Lover Must Know"; Gael Chandler; 2009
• "Making Documentary Films and Videos: A Practical Guide to Planning, Filming, and Editing Documentaries"; Barry Hampe; 2007
• "The Healthy Edit: Creative Editing Techniques for Perfecting Your Movie"; John Rosenberg; 2010