About the Book:

In the Blink of an Eye is a vivid, multifaceted, thought-provoking book on film editing by legendary film editor Walter Murch. Starting with what might seem to be the most basic editing question – Why do cuts work? – he treats you to a marvelous "ride" through the aesthetics and practical concerns of cutting film. Along the way, he offers his insights on such subjects as continuity and discontinuity in editing, dreaming, and real life; the criteria of a good cut; where you would naturally blink as both an analog to and an emotional cue for the cut; digital editing; and much more. In the Blink of an Eye is something of a bible for editors. In this second edition, the Oscar-winning film editor and sound designer Walter Murch, who worked on Apocalypse Now and The Godfather trilogy, among other classics, reconsiders and completely revises his popular first edition's lengthy meditation on digital editing (which accounts for a third of the book's pages) in light of the technological changes.

What people say:

"Consistently stimulating and enjoyable in its historical, aesthetic and theoretical aspects, In the Blink of an Eye is must reading for film-lovers and professional editors alike, and all those interested in the magic produced in our minds when images are juxtaposed." — Paul Hirsch, Academy Award winning Editor of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Steel Magnolias and many other features including Ray, for which he received a second Academy Award nomination

"Nothing is as fascinating as spending hours listening to Walter's theories of life and cinema and his countless tidbits of wisdom, which he leaves behind him like Hansel and Gretel's trail of bread: guidance and nourishment." — Francis Ford Coppola, Academy Award winning director, producer and writer

"An incredibly lucid trek into the formidable craft of film editing, which in my opinion is the core of the cinematic art form. Walter Murch's depth of insight into this subject is astonishing, and the book is a must for anyone who is interested in truly understanding the filmmaking process." — George Lucas, Academy Award winning director, producer, and writer

"The first time I saw Murch he was asleep on his KEM, having worked all night on The Conversation. He's the only editor I know who actually sleeps with his films. In fact, Murch has a love affair with every film he's involved with. In the Blink of an Eye is his chronicle of passions – it's where he finally tells us some of the intimate details of these affairs. Not for those who cannot love film." — Philip Kaufman, director and writer

"This small book contains a wealth of first-hand knowledge about the mysteries of giving birth to a film. I think it is of immense value to professionals and film buffs alike." — Fred Zinnemann, Academy Award winning director

About the Author:

Walter Murch is an editor, sound designer, director, and screenwriter who has been honoured repeatedly by both the American and British Motion Picture Academies for his picture editing and sound mixing. Among the many notable films he has edited and/or mixed are The Conversation, American Graffiti, Julia, Apocalypse Now, all three Godfather films, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, House of Cards, Ghost, Crumb, The English Patient, and The Talented Mr. Ripley.