How to Pace Your Film - Examples of Good and Bad Pacing in Editing, Writing and More

[@solertia33]

Pacing seems like one of the most difficult aspects of filmmaking. But also a highly important element that works under the surface on an audience, almost subconsciously.

[@StudioBinder]

Exactly! Very difficult to master. It's like juggling!

[@Rubbit2024]

Its the atom of modern filming😂😂😂

[@Spractral]

@@StudioBinder I feel like I'd be good at it tbh. It's mostly going to come down to the editor I'd think... But then the director, if they're worth a damn, is going to be working in coordination with them... It'd be interesting to see the whole process; I wish I could get a job\career somehow. Appreciate all the videos

[@krampus7520]

I NEVER notice good/great pacing when i'm reading/watching casually. I ALWAYS notice if there's a scene that shouldn;t be where it is or the pacing is off.

[@Miro.A.Mursu-]

​@@krampus7520Exactly, people hate shows like Hazbin hotel just because of the pacing Good pacing = no one notices Bad pacing = The show is hated

[@pasqualefranzese]

The quality of these videos is insane. Please, don't stop to be so amazing. You are my favourite channel about cinema.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for that! Keep watching and we'll keep making 'em!

[@TitaniumCheese]

Things that affect pacing: 1. Scene length (How long are we in this certain situation/environment?) 2. Shot length (how long is the shot?) 3. Character’s talking pace/intensity 4. Camera movement (like zooms, and crash pans) 5. Actor’s performances (facial expressions, tonation, moments of silence) 6. Montages 7. Music

[@MienLeHoang]

As an audience, you can feel it without knowing the concept. As a filmmaker, you can understand it but still can't make it good. It helps to tell the story effectively, but never actually do any part of the telling job. There isn't clearly right or wrong to be sure. Pacing is one of the most strangest concepts in cinematography.

[@StudioBinder]

Totally agree. Well said!

[@DDR131]

Old Japanese movies used to have great pacing. Yasujirō Ozu is one of those directors who knew how to pace a movie.

[@StudioBinder]

Ozu is fantastic to study in terms of pacing!

[@lemondiee]

I first understood pacing while watching a 80s or 90s film when I was a child. Truly the movie went like setting in 10 mins, songs and music and drama in 100 mins, Last10mins again climax and what a rush to end the movie. I'm never mistaking this part of the movie. It's too essential. Thank you studio binder ❤

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@poindextertunes]

80s and 90s movie were paced incredibly well. and were 90 minutes most of the time. miss those kind of movies that had original concepts and premises

[@Kimandrea234]

The one that I've been waiting the most has finally COME

[@StudioBinder]

Yay!

[@davecorry7723]

_"The one ... that I've been ... waiting the most ... has finally ... COME."_

[@vvlvmusic]

The voice over gives me the feeling I am going through an entry in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Thanks for these videos, it shows that you put time and thought into the making of these.

[@StudioBinder]

We love our narrator! And we're glad to hear you enjoy the videos.

[@claudiamanta1943]

Meta- narrative about narratives and how they are constructed 😄 Brilliant!

[@joshcopelan818]

This will definitely help me as an editor with pacing, as well as starting out as a writer. But the one section regarding Jaws and the score by John Williams, it was a great example with the music to understand narrative and pacing. It reminds me of my college professor who taught me about how music impacts the tone of a scene and he has a text book that provides that. His name is Larry Timm.

[@errhka]

The pacing of the most recent Disney and Pixar movies has been bonkers. Encanto, Finding Dory, and Lightyear are some examples off the top of my head. They need to slow it down but I can totally tell there's someone in the production room going 'kids are going to find this boring speed it up' which is horrifying to think about.

[@claudiamanta1943]

And, then, you wonder why so many kids with ADHD.

[@CarletonTorpin]

1:14 - That train!! it’s heading right for my phone screen!! It’s gonna crack my glass!

[@SICRoosterKido]

Good one :D

[@StudioBinder]

😆

[@shotoniphonememeindian3739]

Good one man... Not everyone will get it😂

[@tecnologizateonline1736]

Martin Scorsese said that pacing is the most difficult aspect for a director to control.

[@peterkalyabe7553]

Today you taught us "PACING". Lesson delivered. Thank you.

[@StudioBinder]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@violence1429]

Thank you for providing information for people who cant afford film school

[@DMIINDSTUDIOS]

It’s like yall know which ones we need. I knew what pacing was, I waited for yall to make a video on this 😆🙏🏽 2:39

[@StudioBinder]

We read minds here at StudioBinder.

[@tombyrnerocks]

Another quality upload from Studiobinder. Happy to see Thir13en Ghosts getting a mention too, underrated movie! A bit daft, but genuinely unsettling and creepy - down to the pacing and some seriously awesome visual effects!

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks! We agree, it's an underrated film so we wanted to give it some love.

[@neerajghosh4500]

Your Channel is a blessing.

[@johnta17]

Been here since 10,000 subs. Best video essays on the internet.

[@master_m_productions]

Hey I'm a film student but i feel like I've been learning filmmaking from StidioBonder's channel more than the film school where I pay my tution fees 😀. I love you guys. Gret knowledge indeed❤️

[@ΣπυροςΔροσοπουλος-μ5ψ]

love that you have put underrated movies as examples!!!!

[@gnlpupol]

Thank you all. It's really an effort picking up right examples across all the movies to make the information learn. Must be a lot of research.

[@AmyBerry-d8w]

The pacing of your videos is perfect!

[@LeslieFlowers-m2q]

The pacing of this video was perfect!

[@Jordan.Belfortt.]

I just figured there's so much to learn about pacing and it's not just about fast screenplay

[@StudioBinder]

The script is where it starts but pacing should be considered through the entire process.

[@MikePriceLife]

Uncut Gems was so great at giving me anxiety. Movies entertain yes, but the ones that give an emotional response are special. I was stressed with Sandlers character throughout.

[@MadeByDW]

I made a playlist for tips on filmmaking, and half the videos in there are from this channel. Thank you for your in depth, but easily digestible explanations

[@stephenwilliams3807]

It has become something of legendary scene now, but the pacing by Denis Villeneuve of the border-crossing sequence in Sicario is masterful. A drawn out tension build, quick movements when they exit the vehicles, it slows again and then the action is so fast you almost miss it.

[@StudioBinder]

We love that scene so much! We even did a video about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6ill6uCpNqiY5Ysi=UAg0PFpM5-7UFqz4

[@stephenwilliams3807]

@@StudioBinder I was also thinking about the scene when Hannibal Lecter escapes in the Silence of the Lambs. It is a tense, dynamic scene and yet the pacing is very deliberate and methodical (with classical music in the background). The scene is paced from Lecter's POV and reflects his personality, in order to emphasise the level of his psychopathy. Anthony Hopkins plays it so well.

[@kashmirsabbath2479]

Another movie with so good pacing is Snatch from Guy Ritchie. Such an amazing movie that I love. 😊 I also love the rythm of the structure for The Exorcist.

[@StudioBinder]

Snatch is a great example! And The Exorcist has one of the best "building tension" of any movie ever.

[@kashmirsabbath2479]

@@StudioBinder totally agree!! 😁

[@envoy3]

This video was perfectly paced, bravo. Lesson learned!

[@TechnikMeister2]

In authoring a book, specially an action/adventure/thriller, its called story momentum. In a film it's called lots of things, but Marlon Brando said it best. "You have to make the audience stop eating their popcorn."

[@StudioBinder]

That's a great example! A clear indication of when those moments are working.

[@henryhallock9754]

The other cool thing about Hans Zimmer in Dunkirk is he uses a technique called shepards scale which sounds like it’s either rising or descending forever, making every scene more intense, never letting off on the pressure.

[@StudioBinder]

Yes! That's such a cool technique and fits that film so well.

[@poindextertunes]

Even though it was a phenomenal movie, Oppenheimer was paced rather odd. All the cuts made it feel like a 3 hr long movie trailer to me Dune 2 on the other hand, was paced absolutely perfect and I understood why the 1st one felt kinda slow and plodding. It was just an appetizer for the main dish and I know I’m gunna love Messiah but I cant possibly see how Villinueve can top Dune 2

[@rayancedrichaddad1197]

Thousand Thanks StudioBinder for this Inspiring video. It's a complete audiovisual encyclopedia about Pacing in Movies. Very Instructive to understand.💯💯💯

[@StudioBinder]

You are most welcome!

[@harryvuemedia]

Great video on Pacing! This video definitely help teach us how to pace our own films so that it isn't rush or too slow. Watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1989) again, i feel like the pacing went fast. But its understandable as back in those days, a 2 hour movie is considerate long. Today, I would have love for the pacing to be longer so that we get more screen time of the Turtles. Then we have Twilight (2008) where the pacing takes forever just to get excited or anything happening. It definitely requires faster pacing because it was all boring until 1 hour later when the story does pick up.

[@Timeless_films]

My fav. VO is back❤

[@massive611]

This is another great video by StudioBinder! I also loved Blade Runner 2049. But if I had any complaints about 2049, it was that the pacing was poor in that film, hence it should not have been included as an example in this video.

[@RyanEmmett]

The pacing ruined it for me. I felt that at least 45 minutes could have been comfortably cut and vastly improved it.

[@camiloplata1246]

I LOVE YOU STUDIOBINDER

[@Spractral]

I love how they put the Twin Peaks music in there

[@MwayiComfort]

Your editing is awesome ❤❤❤

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks! Our editors will love to hear that.

[@robbyvang]

I expected Grand Budapest Hotel references before clicking the video. Well done 🎉

[@StudioBinder]

We love meeting expectations!

[@trendingtrailers4KUHD]

the best ever channel so nice for editors

[@ability1939]

You should do Ridley Scott's directorial style!

[@DatFunnyPerson]

15:00 You cant hit me with the Twin Peaks Music now! Come on!

[@StudioBinder]

We can and we did. 😉

[@oscaryoussef]

I NEEDED THIS JUST IN TIME! Thanks studio binder

[@StudioBinder]

You're so welcome!

[@CSorgini]

I think part of Furiosas Box office failure was also the fact that it was such a weirdly paced movie. Which is odd compared to fury road which is one of the best paced movies of recent memory.

[@postbox9505]

Make video dedicated to Steven Spielberg cinematography technique.

[@StudioBinder]

Well, we have a "cinematography" section in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKqqdKyOmruMj8ksi=ZPGMxpJkaXhI9ELm And we did a video on his longtime DP Janusz Kaminski: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZfTaYtseL-qrdEsi=k0spW-SIODSXVuwj

[@vicentecampos2893]

Another masterpiece video

[@StudioBinder]

Thank you so much!

[@perroraton9515]

That "Jaws" soundtrack could really pump some excitement into "Stalker"

[@StudioBinder]

That would be cool!

[@SICRoosterKido]

Ay, we learning good today! Thank you.

[@StudioBinder]

Glad to hear it!

[@Sunil778-l4c]

*Could you please make a video on "Step Printing" what's it and how does it work in celluloid and digital filmmaking???❤❤*

[@StudioBinder]

We covered step printing a little bit in our Frame Rate video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZ24d5-rgbSbY9Usi=leF6h5731Ll2onPM

[@CaptainZachofEarth]

a movie that comes to mind with excellent pace was Looper with bruce willis and joseph gorden levitt. boondock saints almost had it but there were some moments that were off beat but on purpose. it was a means of shaking the pace that was for its time perfect as well.

[@r.a.mpictures]

Children of Men has so many beautiful long takes. It's such a masterfully made film! ROMA is an underrated film from Alfonso Cuaròn

[@StudioBinder]

Totally agree. Cuarón is a genius with long takes.

[@ayushnair8570]

@@StudioBinder Why don’t you do a video on Cuaron’s filmmaking techniques? His Harry Potter film is often considered leagues above the others by many film fans in terms of visual style. You could explore his cinematography and editing techniques for example.

[@youthawake]

You guys had never dissappointed me. Thanks for bringing out awesome content.

[@glowmentor]

Kieslowski. Sugar cube. 7 seconds. Three Colours Blue. Masterpiece of pacing.

[@StudioBinder]

Dang! That's a great example we should have included.

[@sreeramsri4286]

Make a video on how to protect the movie's footage, how to keep the #backup discs safe since someone lost the key footage often.

[@StudioBinder]

Great topic! We did an article about RAID storage you can read here in the meantime. www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-raid-storage/

[@rutaiwanwongsirasawad4040]

Thank you. Very insightful and useful.

[@EthanBurgers]

"That's what we've been waiting for!"

[@StudioBinder]

Yay! Glad we finally did it too.

[@Xvisual887]

thank u so mush guys for this video

[@hornet718]

Pacing should be considered like controlling the pulse rate of the viewer. A calm pulse would indicate the viewer is looking at a wide-setup shot of an exterior or interior that leads the viewer and character to the next scene. A fast pulse could indicate action, fighting or a chase. A calm pulse but slowly building up speed would indicate something surprising, terrifying or suspenseful will happen. An excited pulse that is slowing down could mean the situation is over and viewer can relax. Controlling the pace means controlling the pulse of the viewer. This will ensure an intense following. I wish many directors would learn this simple technique. It's not hard, but there are too many "hollywood" projects where the director has these long scenes that don't drive the story. Sicario had too many scenes where you have these shots that say nothing but you either follow a character walking with narration or these long panning shots of the exterior. That series Parish with my favorite actor Mr. Giancarlo Esposito, I couldn't get past the first episode much less the first few scenes. It opens with a car chase (in which Mr. Espositio looks out of place in) then cuts to his life at home with his family. No dialogue to drive the scene, just an ordinary day in his life. Then he gets dressed and Gus Fring comes about as he meticulously places his clothes in order and then puts them on. The next scene was the main character taking notice of his car and start to clean the small spots off of it. I turned it off after that. And for our independent filmmakers, please stop with these long wide shots that establishes nothing! Too many independent films I watch on KZbin shows the camera person showcasing how good the lens/camera is by showing this long wide shots that doesn't drive the story.Too be honest, there are alot of shows I don't watch because the pacing is horrible. I think people have lost the ability to tell a story through visual media. Again, thank you STUDIOBINDER for a fantastic video!!!

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for sharing! There are some great insights there.

[@shanelord3472]

I'd say the open of a quiet place starts higher than the end . It's a good cold open. No little kids where killed at the end . Thoughts?

[@Crayoness]

Thank you so much !

[@VernardNuncioFields]

The master of pacing is Zach Snyder, with his slow-motion runtime padding techniques 😅

[@matthewvivian7235]

Hahahahahahahahahahaha

[@StudioBinder]

So that's why he does it all the time?! Haha.

[@georgeofhamilton]

I wonder if he’s related to Zack Snyder, one of the best film directors of our era.

[@matthewvivian7235]

@@georgeofhamilton what a strange thing to say

[@kashmirsabbath2479]

Pacing shows how important the postproduction are.

[@StudioBinder]

Very true! It all comes down to the edit.

[@NYPeterP]

Thank you for spoilers alert!

[@DeanCassady]

Pacing reminds me of Classic music.

[@StudioBinder]

Pacing certainly applies to both mediums.

[@bernardo1133]

0:41 Year of Silence Never thought I'd find Crystal Castles in this channel

[@StudioBinder]

You know it!

[@krampus7520]

16:14 does anyone know from what movie the shot of the black dog in the forest is from?

[@jessicacarvalho54]

Clicking on the like button even before watching it, because I know it’s gonna be amazing!

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for that vote of confidence!

[@eddycorreiasart]

Pace is like a song 👌👌👌

[@StudioBinder]

Well put!

[@ddebnath11]

Another film that's masterfully paced is no country for old men... maintaining tension throughout.

[@StudioBinder]

Totally! Very effective pacing there.

[@rizwanzaman1793]

THANK YOU

[@ak-gi3eu]

Dialogue writing techniques and checklist plzz.studiobinder ❤❤❤🎉🎉

[@StudioBinder]

Good idea! Thanks.

[@smo7089]

Hello @studiobinder I never know if I can safely click on the video because I have no idea what movie is featured/spoiled. Could you consider adding in the description a list of the movies mentioned in the video please? 🙂

[@StudioBinder]

If there are spoilers, we typically have a warning in the beginning. There is one in this video. Maybe we'll start putting that spoiler list in the description as well.

[@Jerryjustjerry]

Do these principles work the same if i were to edit the type of videos your channel make?

[@Avali-om7wj]

Excuse me, could I ask what you use to edit your videos? 🤧 They're amazing.♡

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for that! We use Premiere Pro and After Effects.

[@michaelmazzen]

I get the sneaking suspicion that Robert Mcgee is not a long distance runner 🤣 More or less constant pace is absolutely crucial... other than that, the man knows his stuff better than anyone...

[@StudioBinder]

Haha. That's a good point!

[@simonbrenting]

Who made the intro music?

[@henryzebere4598]

perfect timing😈

[@StudioBinder]

We try!

[@BRADLEY_1999]

So which dictates the pace of a movie the most? Is it the script, on set or post?

[@StudioBinder]

Great question. They all factor in but editing controls pacing most of all. You could write and shoot it with a certain pace in mind, but editing is where it all comes together.

[@BRADLEY_1999]

@@StudioBinder so essentially the editing is what really drives home the length of a movie?

[@roylce8355]

Which one gives the best intriguing feelings fast or slow pace

[@StudioBinder]

Good question! But, of course, it depends on the movie and the person. What movies had great pacing in your opinion?

[@AtlasAustralia]

What were the examples of bad pacing? Were there any?

[@StudioBinder]

Well, they were a little more implied because the topic is so subjective. What works for one film (or one person) wouldn't work for another. We just wanted to get you thinking critically about how pacing works.

[@neomohoto8861]

I think pacing can grip you or leave you. Past Lives kept the same linear pace throughout the film which was SO boring. Just coz a film is low in pace and meditative doesn’t mean we abandoned the elements that makes a film memorable. But don’t mind me 😊

[@StudioBinder]

No, that's your opinion and it's totally valid. Some people love slow cinema but it's not for everyone. Thanks for sharing!

[@nadamuchu]

please don't forget to add captions!!

[@StudioBinder]

They've been added now. Thanks!

[@nadamuchu]

@@StudioBinder w00t!

[@BlancheDP]

I need to see the Angelo Badalamenti cut of Jaws.

[@StudioBinder]

Haha. Someone make it happen!

[@VidaDw]

As an foreigner watching every Aaron Sorkin's movies, make me like i having brain tumor.

[@StudioBinder]

It can feel like that for everyone! Haha.

[@liltick102]

Could somebody take a look at my “Films I love” playlist and recommend some screenplays / collections of them to get and read tonight? (Or maybe even proper BTS / making a film footage such as Bergman or Ceylan have done) Maybe there’s even an app or service or whatever that might interest me-? I’ve already read Schrader’s, Goldmans, Tarantino’s, Rashamon and idk some from Bresson, Jaws, Herzog’s, and Tarkovsky’s... Idk what else but a fair few- I’ve run out and have just been reading Greek / Latin plays - rly want more - loved Goldman and Herzog’s scripts probably most

[@danikaanderson4293]

Can you explain sub plots? And use stranger things as an example? I've just binged it (again) and season seams so complex yet leaving me wanting more??

[@StudioBinder]

We actually do have a "Subplots" video in the works! Stay tuned.

[@Raj-hm6dm]

Editor is an artist

[@StudioBinder]

Thank you!

[@Sunil778-l4c]

*WHAT ARE THE SIX TYPES OF DOCUMENTARY?? could ya make a video on it, dear Studiobinder??❤❤❤*

[@StudioBinder]

Interesting topic! We'll add it to the list.

[@ASTRO29]

12:08 movie name pls

[@brandonscullion]

Thirteen Ghosts!

[@ASTRO29]

@@brandonscullion thanks bro

[@ertugrul8459]

Why can't translated subtitles be used? This is how I was benefiting from this page.

[@StudioBinder]

They're added now. Sorry about that!

[@ariehendrawan9784]

Like every motion artist mograph, animator, actor, editor, it's all about timing and spacing. Very hard to master

[@StudioBinder]

Very true. Pacing is a huge part of so many mediums.

[@alfonta]

like the master of writing novels Dame Sally Markham from littel brittan thtat stretches' words to increase the length of her book yahooooooooooo or include the whole bible in her latest book

[@StudioBinder]

Great example!

[@adamguitar1498]

Amazing how much the portrayal of Zuckerberg has shifted since that movie

[@PiusBamigboye]

I've gotta say @StudioBinder has really good pacing in these videos Bravo🤌

[@singhrawat1101]

where can i find black movie

[@karavalimedia695]

First like and comment.

[@StudioBinder]

🏅

[@go_ahead6376]

Im from india... 1st view

[@StudioBinder]

Welcome!

[@neo_bellic]

Yeah, I don't know about those extra long meditative shots in artsy films being actually immersive at all, unless the shot has been set up in a unique way, they take me out of it. It just feels like lazy filmmaking, like no effort was put. Only Tarkovsky has managed to catch my interest otherwise. And talking about pacing of a 3 hour movie that is intense throughout without being an action film and having only few calm moments, Oppenheimer was quite engaging.

[@StudioBinder]

That's fair. Those shots/movies aren't for everyone. Weerasethakul is EXTREME in that regard.

[@dmytro1933]

Perfect

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks!