There are many different ways of editing. Edward Dmytryk gave seven different rules to cutting;
- Never make a cut without a positive reason.
- When undecided about the exact frame to cut on, cut long rather than short.
- Whenever possible cut 'in movement'.
- The 'fresh' is preferable to the 'stale'.
- All scenes should begin and end with continuing action.
- Cut for proper values rather than proper 'matches'.
- Substance first—then form.
Walter Murch also gave six criteria, ranked in importance, that a director should follow;
- Emotion
- Story
- Rhythm
- Eye-trace
- 2D plane of the screen
- 3D space of action
