Film Quote by Steve Erickson
““That’s editing, if I may say so. Choosing the shot. It’s telling us everything. It’s telling us things we don’t even know it’s telling us. It’s not just telling us what these characters think, it’s telling us what we think. It’s manipulative as hell, there’s no getting around it, but then all movies are manipulative. When people complain about a picture that’s ‘manipulative,’ what they really mean is it’s not very good at its manipulations, its manipulation is too obvious.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Sea of Tranquility, 2022
Editing shapes narrative by guiding audience perception, often subtly influencing thoughts, making manipulation inevitable in storytelling.
In simple terms: Editing controls what we think about a story.
Key Takeaway
Use editing to convey clear intent.
Themes
storytelling
media
perception
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
theoretical
influential
When to use this quote
- film production
- writing workshops
- advertising
- political messaging
Key Concepts
narrative theory
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does editing affect your own beliefs?
- When is manipulation acceptable?
A Different Perspective
Manipulation can be transparent; audience may resist obvious cues.
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