Editing
Editing is an extremely important part of film making. Editing is the process of coordinating a series of clips together to create a logical and aesthetically pleasing sequence. Getting the correct rhythm and pace in the editing process can determine the progression of the story you are telling.
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro is an editing software that I will be using for my media projects. Premiere Pro is a non-linear timeline based software which means you can manipulate any digital media (audio, video, images). Non-linear means that you can access any clip and move it around to wherever you want it on your sequence.
How to use Premiere Pro
Step 1- Open Premiere Pro
Step 2- Select New Project
Step 3- Name your project and click 'ok'. Adobe will automatically save your project in an Adobe folder in your documents.
Introduction to the interface
Project Panel
Timeline
Programme Monitor
Source Monitors
Timeline is where you can create your edit and manipulate your clips in whatever order you choose.
The project panel is where you import your clips for your project.
This is where you can playback your edit form the timeline and you can use the tools of the programme to refine your edit.
This is where you can place in and out points to choose the correct length of clip to place on your timeline.
Editing
Once your footage has been imported it is time to start editing.
Double click on any of your clips from the Project Panel and it will appear in your Source Monitor then choose the sections you want.
If you hit the space bar your clip will play in the monitor and if you hit it again it will stop. You can skim along the clip by moving the curser along until. Choose an in or out point by using the icons.
Once you have chosen your clip, drag it onto the timeline by clicking on the source monitor and dragging. This will create sequence on timeline that can be moved about and edited how you want.
Editing Task 1
For this task we were given a variety of video clips of technician Danny and we had to watch the clips and create a story. To do this we used Adobe Premier Pro add selected clips into the timeline and edited them to make a video.
After analysing all the footage I formed an idea of a short story in my head and made a note of what videos I wanted to use. Overall I created a video that showed Danny finding the toy in his packet of crisps and he throws it away but it continues comes back. To make my edit look smooth I analysed the footage and made sure to edit it so that Danny's actions such as throwing the toy followed through into the next shot. The footage I edited looked smooth and all the clips followed in a order that looked realistic.
Editing Task 2
For the second editing take we created a Time Constrain short film. First we made storyboards individually then got put into groups and chose one persons storyboard to film. My group was with Jody and Archie, we used Jody's storyboard. We shot our clips in the TV Studio then afterwards we imported the clips into Premier Pro and edited it.
These are some examples of the shots we took for the Time Constraint short film. Our film showed a student in an timed exam and to create effect I found a clock ticking sound effect on artist.io which added to the intense feel of running out of time. I also cut to the clock shot multiple times to signify the time constraint that the student is under.
Overall this was a successful task and helped me gain the skill of creating a film piece from a storyboard. It also helped me expand my Premier Pro skills and the more I use the software I will be able to use it more efficiently.
Editing Techniques
Clips in films and or videos interact with the following or previous one by using Editing Techniques. There are a wide variety of Editing Techniques that when used correctly can have a big influence on the film and its effect on the audience.
Cuts
Refers to a sudden change of shot from or viewpoint or location to the other.
Jump Cut
Matched Cut
Motivated Cut
An abrupt and sudden change of shot from one viewpoint or location to another. A jump cut will not look very smooth.
A Matched Cut is when there is a familiar relationship between the two shots making the change smooth. There are three types of Match cut: Graphical Match Cut, Match on Action, Sound Cut.
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At the point of a scene where the audience immediately want to see something that is not currently visible.
Transitions
Transitions are used to move from one shot to the next and they can range in complexity.
Fades
Dissolves
Split Screen
Is when the picture gradually appears or disappears (fade-in/fade-out). A slow fade is often used for a gentle introduction or peaceful ending.
Fading out one picture while fading in another on top of it. The image merges into another.
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Shows the viewer several people at the same time. This can be the same action from different perspectives or similar actions at different times.
Slow Motion
Flashback
Parallel Editing
Other Editing Techniques
Action which takes place at a slower rate than usual action that took place on camera.
A break in order of the narrative in which events of the past are disclosed to the viewer.
Establish action occurring at the same time in different locations. Camera will cut away from one action to the other.
Sound and Music
Music helps to establish pace and sometimes the rhythm can dictate the speed of the cuts. Music can have a lot of effects on the viewer and has the power to add emotion, excitement, tension etc to the video.
Commentary
Commentary spoken of screen over the shots which can add extra information and establish a character.
Music
Helps establish pace and rhythm can dictate the speed of the cuts. Music can have an effect on on emotion, tension, excitement and even adrenaline..
Sound Bridge
Sound Bridge is when is when some form of audio such as music which is carried over from one shot to the next.
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J-Cuts and L-Cuts
J-Cuts and L-cuts are an editing technique that relates to audio and how it carries through scenes. These Cuts allow an editor to break up a conversation and create a more natural flow in conversation. J and L cuts can also be used to transition into dream sequences and flashbacks.
L-Cuts
An L-Cut is when the audio from the video carries over into the following shot. It is called an L-Cut from the way it appears on an editing sequence. This editing technique used frequently in dialogue scenes to show the reaction to what the other character is saying.
J-Cuts
A J-Cut is is when the sound from the next scene arrives before the image. J-Cuts make a smooth transition in between shots for example changing location.
Editing Techniques Task
This task allowed us to improve our skills both editing and directing overall producing better quality work. In groups we where given 4 exercises including different editing techniques and how shots can transition into each other smoothly.
Exercise 1
Exercise one is cutting on action and it includes two shots. Shot 1 is the actor in a mid shot nodding their head three times then Shot two repeats this action but in a close up. When editing I cut from one shot to the other on one of the nods. This exercise went well and was effective when completed.
Exercise 2
Exercise two is cutting on dialogue which includes two shots. The first shot is a mid shot and the actor delivers the line 'You are always late, THIS time you will be punctual'. The second shot is a close up and the actor repeats the line emphasising the 'THIS'. When editing the cut is from the wide shot to the close up on the emphasis of the word 'THIS'
Exercise 3
Exercise three is cutting to an empty frame that is followed by a tilt with two shots. The first shot is a wide shot of the actor taking a sip of water and putting the bottle back onto the table. Then for the second shot frame a close up of the actors face but tilt down to show the bottle being placed down the by actor. As soon is the bottle is on the table we panned the camera up to show the actors face. When editing the close up needs to begin just before the bottle enters the frame. This was one of the harder exercises and ours could have been improved but after seeing a couple of examples it is clearer now.
Exercise 4
Exercise four is cutting down the time, This is filming a sequence with 5+ shots showing the actor running up the stairs and when they reach the top they breath heavily. We used different shots and camera movements to add effect.
Overall I found doing these exercises very beneficial and when editing makes sequences look more professional and satisfying. I will apply these new skills to future projects. I particularly enjoyed and thought the transition clips through movement good to look at
Montage and Narrative
Narrative
A Narrative is the way a sequence of events are put together. In film narratives include conventions such as genre, character, form and time. Different narratives employ different messages and themes. There are 4 different types of narratives.
Single Strand
This Narrative follows one single character (usually main character) and their story arc from beginning to end. For example in the 2003 film 'Bruce Almighty' the focus is on the single character Bruce who is endowed with all of gods powers.
This Narrative follows multiple story arcs of multiple characters. For example 'Love Actually' has around 8 different story strands that link at the end.
Multi Strand
Linear
This is a narrative that has a clear beginning, middle and end which is shown chronologically. For example in Toy Story following Woody and Buzz's adventure.
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Non-Linear
This narrative is unchronological order and is jumbled. An example of Non-Linear narrative is Pulp Fiction.
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Structure (Tzvetan Todorov)
Tzvetan Todorov is a theorist and philosopher and came up witht he idea that all narratives follow a basic 5-part structure.
EQUILIBRIUM
A time when everything is balanced.
DISTRUPTION
When an event causes disruption to an equilibrium
RECOGNITION
The disrupted equilibrium is recognised
REPAIR
The disrupted equilibrium is repaired
NEW EQUILIBRIUM
A new equilibrium is in place.
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Binary Opposition (Claude-Levi Strauss
Claude-Levi Strauss came up with the concept of binary opposition. It is the idea that all narratives work around the idea of conflict. The problems and developments of narrative happens because of a conflict between two forces.
Hero-character who seeks something
Villain-character who opposes or blocks hero's request.
Doner-character who provides something to help the hero.
Dispatcher-character who sends hero on there journey.
Helper-character who aids the hero.
Princess-character who is the reward for the hero.
Father-character who acts to reward hero for there efforts.
Hero vs Villain
Rich vs Poor
Truth vs Lies
Man vs Woman
Love vs Hate
Law vs Crime
Non Narrative
A Non-Narrative film is one that tells a story without using a narrative story. For example 'Meshes in the afternoon' by Maya Deren explored a woman's battle with her own psychosis represented by a series of looping sequences. After watching the film I found myself confused and also found it difficult to watch and keep up with. Towards the end of the film I began to understand the meaning of the film but wasn't the most interested in it.
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Montage
A montage is the technique of selecting, editing and piecing together separate sections of films to make a single composition. In filmmaking a montage is an editing technique in which shots are juxtaposed in an often fast paced fashion that compresses time and and conveys a lot of information. Sergei Einstein was a soviet filmmaker of the 1920s and he developed the montage theory and found that putting clashing images together could create new ideas or tension. He found 5 methods of Montage theory.
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Metric Montage is cutting to exact measurement irreguardless to the content.
Rhythmic Montage is cutting accordingly to the content of the shot.
Tonal Montage is cutting accordingly to the emotional 'tone' of the piece.
Over tonal Montage is cutting according to the various 'tones 'of the shots.
Intellectual Montage is cutting accordingly to the shot's relationship to the intellectual concept.
Colour Correction
Colour Correction is adjusting the colour of a video so that it matches the reality of the colours of a shoot. There are multiple different tools on Premier Pro you can use to achieve your desired look.
How to Colour Correct
Once Premier pro is opened and footage has been imported you need to open waveforms. Waveforms tell you a little about the IRE (Institute of radio engineers) scales which measures the quality of broadcasting footage and checks that the camera is working right.
To find the waveforms go to windows and select both Lumetri Colour and Lumetri scopes. The black and white scale is the Luma Waveform and this is good for checking exposure, highlights, mid-tones and shadows.
On the right of the interface there are the Lumetri colour tools and these are what you use to adjust the colour on your video. Using a combination of these well can improved the look of your image.
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Basic Correction Creative
Curves
Colour Wheels
Vignette
This is for simple general adjustment and begin with this first as it has certain looks you can use.
This gives you more detailed and specific correction.
Colour Wheel adds value to shadows, mid-tones and highlights.
This is for if you want a dark or white vignette around the edge of your image.
In curves you can adjust the exposure and the red, green and blues of your image using the curve depending on the circle you have highlighted.
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For shadows drag the bottom corner to the right to bring nearer 0 snd for highlights drag the top corner to left to bring nearer to 100.
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The Colour wheel section adjusts values for your shadows, mid-tones, and highlights. To do this move the sliders to the left of each wheel.
RGB Parade
Vectorscope YUV
RGB helps to remove colour casts and makes neutrals (blacks and whites) properly neutral. Your image is broken up into red, greens and blues colour spectrums.
This measures the colour values and is a replica of the colour wheel. If your image is close to the middle then it is not very saturated.
Practising Colour Correction
Before Editing
After Editing
For the colour correction task we where given a clip of some berries that had something wrong with the colour. For example this image was over exposed so I had to use the basic correction on the lumetri colour tool to bring the exposure down to a more acceptable level.
After Editing
Before Editing
Another task was to use brightness and contrast effect, colour balance or basic lumetri colour tools to warm the image up a bit. This added a warm orange tint to the image. Overall Colour Correction was not too challenging as you can play around with the settings to see what looks best. It will be good to use in the future to make my images more visually pleasing.
After Effects
After Effects is an editing software for motion graphics and visual effects. In After Effects you can animate text and shapes to create title sequences and motion graphics. Effects can be added to video clips to make interesting transitions.
This is the After Effects interface.
Project Pannel
Timeline
Main Composition
Effects and Presets
After Effects Task
The task on After Effects was to follow on with an animation tutorial to create a 'Ball Bouncing' animation. I also learnt how to use Keyframes which defines the starting and ending point of a graphics movement.
I had to add in shapes and place keyframes along the timeline while moving it so that when played the shape should move. I had to be precise with where the ball landed and reached when it rebounded so that it looked realistic.
I found this task challenging as I struggled to make the ball bouncing realistic by changing the size when it hits the ground. I found that using the keyframes and making the ball move up and down easier.
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In the future I will have to practise using After Effects as it will be helpful in the future to add animations into my projects to make them more visually interesting.