What is Ripple in Regard to Film Editing?

Editors use a variety of functions when editing film footage to ensure the desired outcome. Some employ the rolling edit. Others prefer the ripple edit. And still others look to apply what is most easily described as “The ripple and roll technique.” But what is ripple in regard to film editing? And more importantly, how does the ripple edit work?

What is Ripple Editing in Film?

Ripple editing represents a method of film editing in which the film editor effectively takes all of the clips from a track and moves them at once, resulting in what some say appears like a ripple.

Basically, after an adjustment, all of the subsequent media from a track is adjusted according. As if your edit just ripples down through the rest of your project, so as not to interrupt the timing of your project.

Consider This

Think of it as sort of like a ripple in a pond. You make a change, and the effects ripple down through every other element of your project. This can be good or very bad.

In the case where you’ve used the ripple edit, the ripple is okay and means that your project, titles, music and sound remain in sync.

If you fail to use the ripple edit, the ripple still occurs. But in a negative manner as your timing will appear out of sync from the point where the edit was made – on. 

When is the Ripple Edit in Film Editing Used?

To help you understand the purpose of the ripple edit, it makes sense to provide some examples of when, or why you would want to use the ripple edit. 

Think of the ripple edit like this…

You’ve created your project, the video is great, timing is perfect and all of your text overlays and titles are appearing exactly where they should, when they should, and for the designated amount of time for which they should. Everything is great.

Until…

A small change is requested. A client wants to remove just one scene or one shot. Sounds simple enough, the only problem is, it’s at the very beginning of your project!

If you remove it, everything from that point forward will be “off” timing wise. The rest of your shots, titles, text, and the music and sound that goes along with it all – will be off.

A Lifesaver

So, what is the ripple in regard to film editing? It’s a lifesaver in this situation! The ripple edit allows you to eliminate or change that one scene or shot as requested at the very beginning of your project.

And, like magic, everything after the edit, all of the shots and scenes and sounds that go along are adjusted so that everything remains in sync. 

The ripple edit will basically allow your adjustment to ripple down through the rest of your project. Whether it’s through fifty seconds, five minutes, or fifty minutes. Everything else stays in sync, the way the editor designed for it to work out.

Ripple editing saves time, hassle and headaches!  Depending on the software that an editor is using the ripple editing technique makes adding or subtracting footage from a project so much easier and more efficient than it would be without this special feature.