Editing: The Rule of Six

Walter Murch's book 'In the Blink of an Eye' (1995) explains one of his personal rules for what makes a good cut in editing:

1. Emotion: How do you want the audience to feel? Is it true to the emotion of the moment? Percentage of importance: 51%

2. Story: Does it advance the story? Percentage of importance: 23%

3. Rhythm: Does it occur at a moment that is rhythmically interesting and 'right'? Percentage of importance: 10%

4. Eye Trace: Does it pay respect to the location and movement of the audience's focus of interest within the frame? Percentage of importance: 7%

5. 2-Dimentional Plane of Screen: Does the cut respect the 180 degree rule? Percentage of Importance: 5%

6. 3-Dimentional Space of Action: Does it respect the 3-D continuity of the actual space? Percentage of Importance: 4%