Bigs Quote by Pirjo Honkasalo
“If you take a big epic novel and you shoot it, when you get to the editing room you notice that it has 2 million climaxes, which fill the whole 90 or 100 minutes. Then you realize you can't cut them out because if somebody is dying and you cut that out it seems like they just disappear from the film.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Filmmaking Process, 2015
Epic novels contain countless climactic moments; editing a film version forces selective cuts, risking loss of narrative continuity if key events are removed.
In simple terms: Too many climaxes make editing hard.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize essential plot points when adapting.
Themes
storytelling
adaptation
editing
structure
cinema
Mood
analytical
concerned
Type
filmmaking
adaptation
When to use this quote
- scriptwriting
- film editing
- novel adaptation
- storyboarding
Key Concepts
Narrative pacing
film vs. literature
creative constraints
Questions to Reflect On
- Which scenes are truly indispensable?
- How can pacing be maintained without losing depth?
A Different Perspective
Removing scenes can disrupt emotional arcs and audience understanding.
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