Film editing and its power over audience emotions can often be an invisible and nebulous craft. The educational series The Science of Editing attempts to demystify this critical element of screen practice for a broad online audience.

Dr Karen Pearlman, director and Associate Professor in Screen Practice and Production at Macquarie University, zeroes in on action movies in this clip, invoking popular questions on what makes a blockbuster thrilling ... or generic and boring. The format provides an accessible entry point for those who know little about editing, through a mix of well-known movie clips, infographics and Pearlman's expertise on what keeps us hooked on narrative. Tapped into the human need to keep asking questions and find out what happens next, Pearlman's narration provides a pathway for casual moviegoers and avid cinema fans alike.

Published on YouTube, the series demonstrates the platform’s role as a learning resource well-suited to discussing a visual medium.