Who Speaks Wukchumni?: Narrative Editing Tools in Motion

I saw this Op-Doc during the Summer and thought that it was worthy of sharing with the class. This narrative is just a small look into a larger picture of the diminishing Native American languages. Wukchumni, a Yokuts tribe, are native to Central California. Before European contact they were flourishing, but now there are an estimated 200 Wukchumni left. This story is about a native and fluent speaker trying to preserve her language by creating a Wukchumni dictionary. I really enjoyed this piece because of how ordinary this woman is. She seems very sweet and is genuinely doing this so her native language can be passed on to the remaining tribe. A labor of love.

I’m not sure what type of stylistic tool it is, but I figure it has to do with sequencing: I am interested in the ways the editor was able to make tie-ins from shot to shot. The one I am thinking of in particular is at 4:03. There is a tight-shot of the dripping water faucet, and then a mid, panning shot that starts at the water faucet again, but then rack focuses to the woman pouring a cup of coffee. That shot cuts away to behind her back pouring some of the coffee into the sink. The next shot, at 4:25, the coffee cup is at the front of the table. It goes faucet to coffee mug, coffee mug to faucet, coffee mug on table. There is another example of this editing trick at 5:55 when her great grandson brings her a glass of water. That shot is also the first shot we see of her grandson. As the scene moves on, it cuts into the kitchen where they are handling dishes together and cooking food. It seems like a constant circular motion: glass from kitchen into living room, living room back into the kitchen with dishes. So here, I see the actual objects moving the narrative along. If anyone knows what this editing sequence is called let me know. It seems like a cool tool we could pick up on and use in our shooting and editing.