Chapter 2 - Editing Styles and Conventions

Edward Dymtryk made seven rules of cutting which editors follow today:
Rule 1 - Never make a cut without a positive reason
Rule 2 - When undecided about the exact frame to cut on cut long rather short
Rule 3 - Whenever possible cut 'in movement'
Rule 4 - The 'fresh' is preferable to the 'stale'
Rule 5 - All scenes should begin and end with continuing action
Rule 6 - Cut for proper values rather than proper matches
Rule 7 - Substance first -- then form

Where as Walter Murch created 6 main criteria for evaluating a cut or where to cut:

1- Emotion (51%) - Does the cut reflect what the editor wants the audience to feel
2- Story (23%) - Does the cut advance the story
3- Rythm (10%) - Does the cut occur at a moment that is rythmically interesting and 'right'
4- Eye trace (7%) - Does the cut pay respect to "the location and movement of the audience's focus of interest within the frame."
5- 2D screen (5%) - Does the cut respect the 180 degree rule
6- Three-dimensional space of action (4%) — Is the cut true to the physical/spatial relationships within the diegesis?