Walter Murch Books
Walter Murch is an American film editor, sound designer, and writer known for his work on classic films including Apocalypse Now, The Godfather trilogy, and The English Patient. He has received multiple Academy Awards and is widely regarded as one of the most innovative figures in modern cinema.
Known for: In the Blink of an Eye: A Perspective on Film Editing
Books by Walter Murch
In the Blink of an Eye: A Perspective on Film Editing
In this influential work, Oscar-winning film editor and sound designer Walter Murch explores the art and philosophy of film editing. Drawing from his experience on films such as Apocalypse Now and The English Patient, Murch discusses the emotional and psychological impact of editing decisions, the relationship between technology and creativity, and the intuitive process that guides editors in shaping cinematic rhythm and meaning.
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The Blink of an Eye Concept
I have always been fascinated by how human vision works, and the act of blinking struck me as deeply cinematic. It is our body’s natural equivalent of a cut. When we blink, we reset perception—shifting attention, changing emotional stance, or moving between thoughts. In editing, every cut should fee...
From In the Blink of an Eye: A Perspective on Film Editing
The Rule of Six
Through years of working on films, I distilled six criteria that help me judge whether a cut works. I call them the Rule of Six. They are emotion, story, rhythm, eye-trace, two-dimensional plane, and three-dimensional space—arranged in hierarchy. At the top is emotion, followed by story and rhythm, ...
From In the Blink of an Eye: A Perspective on Film Editing
About Walter Murch
Walter Murch is an American film editor, sound designer, and writer known for his work on classic films including Apocalypse Now, The Godfather trilogy, and The English Patient. He has received multiple Academy Awards and is widely regarded as one of the most innovative figures in modern cinema.
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Walter Murch is an American film editor, sound designer, and writer known for his work on classic films including Apocalypse Now, The Godfather trilogy, and The English Patient. He has received multiple Academy Awards and is widely regarded as one of the most innovative figures in modern cinema.
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