Micro-pacing vs. Macro-pacing

distinction between two scales of editorial pacing. Micro-pacing refers to the rhythm and timing between individual shots and within a single scene. Macro-pacing describes the overall story rhythm and flow of the larger film structure, a topic often discussed under the umbrella of 'Structure'. The term 'macro-pacing' was coined by Steve Hullfish to distinguish the overall rhythm of an entire film from the shot-to-shot pacing within a scene. It addresses the rate at which story information is revealed to the audience, ensuring they neither get too far ahead of the story nor fall behind it. Micro-pacing adjustments are often employed to meet strict television runtimes. This can take the form of 'surgical line lifts'—trimming individual words or pauses in dialogue—or a 'squeeze pass,' where an editor shaves a few frames from many different shots to achieve a target length without altering the perceptible rhythm of any single scene.