Studio Ghibli is a household name in the world of animation. It has a unique artistic style, heart-warming stories, and an ability to fully express creativity, along with its unique music. Many films from this studio have gained fans all over the world. However, one of the secrets behind the quality of these films is their extraordinary editing process.
Filmmaking at Studio Ghibli is like a creative sacrifice. It works completely differently than regular animation studios. Its specialty is paying complete attention to making each frame a masterpiece. Editing in Ghibli animation is not just about cutting or coordinating scenes, it acts as a key part of enhancing the story.
Editing in Ghibli films should be in a way that helps the story. It is because of the utmost importance of visual editing that every scene looks natural and emotional. Directors like Hayao Miyazaki carefully examine each scene they create manually. They use editing to make the transition from one frame to another smooth and natural.
Studio Ghibli’s filmmaking method is different from other animation studios. Their specialty is to combine mainly manually created images with digital technology to provide the highest level of animation. They try to make the animation more lively and natural with the help of digital tools. In particular, they gradually improve aspects such as the finishing of backgrounds, color mixing, and smooth transitions between scenes.
Editing in Studio Ghibli films is a complex and creative process. Typically, editing in animated films is used to shorten scenes, remove unnecessary parts, or speed up the story. But for Studio Ghibli, editing is not just a technical process, but an art form that enhances the film's story. Each frame in their films needs to convey a unique emotion. Because of this, many unique characteristics can be observed in their editing style.
An important aspect of Studio Ghibli's editing approach is naturalness. Unlike other animation studios, Ghibli films do not have sudden visual changes. Instead, they edit in a way that gradually transitions from one scene to another. For example, when changing from a morning scene to an evening scene, they try to express the change of scene through small details such as a change in the wind, a change in the light, or a change in the birds' voices. This gives the viewer a natural feeling.
To further enhance this naturalism, Studio Ghibli uses a unique editing technique called “motion pause.” In this, after a significant event occurs, nothing happens on screen for a short period of time to allow the viewer to fully experience the event. For example, when a character is in mourning, they show their face for a few moments, without immediately switching to another scene, and beautifully portray that emotion. This technique is not commonly used by other animation studios.
Another important aspect that distinguishes Studio Ghibli editing from other animation studios is their effective use of music in editing. Typically, even if there is no dialogue, just music and ambient sounds, the editing is done to make the scene feel completely emotional. For example, if you want to show a scene of rain falling, you will create an edit that shows only the sound of the rain, the leaves moving on it, and the water droplets falling on the ground. This further enhances the naturalism.
Studio Ghibli's editing style is primarily used to express the film's story naturally, visually, and emotionally. For example, in many scenes in "Spirited Away", although there are not many words, the editing is designed to move the story forward through the scenes alone. In particular, in some slow scenes in the film, small details such as music, lighting changes, and wind flow are used to create a special mood.
Another interesting aspect of Studio Ghibli editing is the amazing use of time in the story. Usually in animated films, the story moves very fast. But in Ghibli films, some scenes are deliberately carried out for a certain amount of time. For example, in the film "My Neighbor Totoro", when the children move into a new house, they slowly show the scene so that they can enjoy the wonder of each room. With this type of editing, the audience is also slowly immersed in the story.
Through editing, Studio Ghibli presents every little thing very naturally and touchingly. In particular, their films place a high priority on natural scenes. For example, the way trees sway, the reflection in the water, the way smoke billows in the light breeze—all these details are meticulously crafted. This is a great example of editing that creates a sense of reality.
Studio Ghibli's editing style has given them a unique identity. It is not just technical editing, but an attempt to transform each scene into a work of art. Through editing, the viewer is able to experience the emotions of the characters more deeply. This is what gives Studio Ghibli films a unique uniqueness compared to other animated films.
Editing in Ghibli films actually helps to engage the audience more deeply in the story. Ghibli's specialty is the way in which the emotions of the characters are expressed through the change of scenes. They follow editing methods that are close to realism. Especially, by not missing even the smallest details, each frame becomes a masterpiece.
Thus, Studio Ghibli's editing method can be said to be one of the main reasons that make their films stand out from other animated films. It is because of such extraordinary efforts that these studio's films have become popular. The acceptance of their films around the world is also possible because of this meticulous editing process.
There are some important techniques that Studio Ghibli follows to effectively manage the editing process. Mainly, they pay special attention to creating a natural flow to the story. Editing in this studio is not just about cutting or arranging scenes, but it plays a key role in providing a narrative experience.
Every frame is a masterpiece
Studio Ghibli takes special care to make each frame of a film a masterpiece. Usually, animation studios complete the work quickly through computer-generated images (CGI). However, Studio Ghibli follows this approach completely differently. In addition to drawing each scene by hand, even the smallest details in it are made with great care.
In addition to this attention to each frame, the coordination between scenes is also crucial. Special planning is done to make the scene changes look natural. In particular, editing is implemented so that another scene smoothly enters before the previous scene is completed. This helps to continue the story naturally.
Editing that gives a real feeling
Editing in Ghibli films is based on a completely naturalistic approach. For example, in Miyazaki's films "Spirited Away" or "My Neighbor Totoro", even when the characters do not speak, the editing is done so that their expressions express emotions.
Also, the way in which the scenery is shown slowly and slowly takes the viewer into that world. Even the small details of natural life are shown wonderfully. For example, the way water droplets fall on wet leaves when it rains, the way the wind blows, the movement of grass in a breeze—all these details are carefully crafted through editing.
“Motion Pause” that allows for thought
An interesting editing technique in Ghibli films is "Motion Pause". Although it is not known to many viewers, it is an important element that makes their films special.
This is—after an important event, no significant action is left for a few seconds. For example, when a character experiences intense emotion, the character is shown thinking for a while without immediately changing the previous scene. This also gives the audience time to understand the event.
This method is rarely seen in other animated films. In other films, each scene changes rapidly. But in Ghibli films, this slowness and naturalness allow the story to be experienced more deeply.
Effective coordination with music and sounds
Another important aspect of editing is the combination of music and sounds. Studio Ghibli mainly provides a great feeling to their films with the music of Joe Hisaishi. This music is planned in such a way that it can be heard properly during editing.
For example, even if there is no dialogue in an emotional scene, Ghibli is unique in expressing that emotion through background music. Also, natural sounds are used wonderfully. The sound of rain, the chirping of birds, the sound of the wind blowing—all of these combine to make the scene more powerful.
Use of natural lighting and colors
Another important aspect of editing is the combination of colors and lighting. In Studio Ghibli films, the morning light, the evening twilight, the light shown at dusk—all of these look very natural.
In films like "Howl's Moving Castle", the wind and light changes are edited to look very natural. In particular, the choice of colors, their transitions are very soft.
The uniqueness of Ghibli films due to editing
Due to the editing method of Studio Ghibli, their films are completely different from those of other animation studios. Mainly:
- Natural flow of the story – There are natural changes between scenes, without sudden changes anywhere.
- Time-Saving Style – The story is told slowly, without rushing, so that you can enjoy each scene.
- Space for Thought – Even when the characters are not speaking, there is silence to express their emotions, and there is no unnecessary dialogue.
- Use of Natural Scenery – Editing is done in a way that makes the natural scenes feel real.
- The way music, sounds, and lighting blend together perfectly – The balance of these allows you to experience the story deeply.
Conclusion
Studio Ghibli's editing style is a wonderful art that makes their storytelling even richer. It is not just a process based on technology; it is a way that prioritizes emotions. This unique approach is why Studio Ghibli films have become universally popular. This meticulous editing process can be said to be one of the main reasons why their films are timeless masterpieces.