[1] David Bordwell states, since 1960, US studio filmmaking has entered a "post classical" period, and that although it is argued this so-called "post-classical" period changed cinema to an incoherent narrative, films today still generally abide by the same principles as classical filmmaking.
In the 1970s, average shot length was between 5 and 8 seconds for feature films, dramas, musicals, romance while comedies often contained shorter ASLs.
In the 1980s, average shot lengths (ASL) in the double digit range virtually disappeared from feature films.
Movies such as Top Gun, and Pink Floyd: The Wall (which were influenced by music videos) demonstrated ASLs from 3–4 seconds.
[7] All of these components which differ from the classical editing style lead to a rhythm in the films which is much faster than that of a traditional narrative pace.
Fast cutting is an editing style that can make a difference in emotional impact of a film on the audience.
Director Lawrence Kasdan states in the documentary titled The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing, that the generation of people who grew up on MTV and 30 second commercials can process information faster, and therefore demand it.
Editors were pushed in the direction of the quick cut style of editing in order to stay in tune with what their audiences wanted and demanded.
[6] Jan-Patrick Stolpmann states that movies such as Flashdance and Footloose (1984 film) were actually feature length music videos based on the way their montages were edited.
For some who did not grow up with MTV, VH1, and short commercials, the fast cuts that are characteristic of post-classical editing can be too overwhelming, to the point of making the film not enjoyable.