dPortfolio of Evidence to be presented by each student for:Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques

SOCIAL ACTION & THE COMMUNITY FILM ASSIGNMENT

Name: Niall DohertyPlease provide a written comment that deals with all the italicized tasks below. You don’t need to write about all of listed content but it essential that you write about a minimum of two of the sub headings for the learning outcomes.Unit content LO1. UNDERSTAND THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRINCIPLES OF EDITING LO1.1 Development:

in-camera editing; This is where a production is shot in such a way that it does not need to go through the editing phase. It is shot in sequence. The problem with in camera editing is that there can be no mistakes.This is an example of in camera editing.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPJ2t2ypTHg

following the action; This means that the camera changes its view according to where the story is unfolding in a production. When the characters go from one place to another the camera changes its place and position so that it can present the story in the most effective way possible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsDV7nNftAM

multiple points of view; This is when the film is shot through the perspective of different characters. The experiences that the characters go through have to be connected in one way or another and they also have to be unique. This can be different characters perspectives told separately at the same point in time or different characters perspectives in the same film at different times. An example of this technique is in Pulp Fiction where the film follows the events of a few central characters without focousingfocusing on one particular character.

shot variation; This is where there are different types of shots used in a scene. It is used to keep the audiences attention. Examples of shots include; mid shots, close ups, extreme close ups, long shots ect. Shot variation is used to make a scene more interesting and dynamic. This means that the audience sees a scene and the action in the scene from multiple different angles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuUWq7qGSro

manipulation of diegetic time and space; This is where sound and visual effects that was not part of the original footage is added into the production during editing. This is used to make the production more believable. .

film, This is a material that was used to record footage before footage was stored on a memory card. It consists of plastic and a mixture of chemicals. The film would be placed in a 35mm film camera and each section of the film would be exposed to light for a split second in quick succession. The light that the film was exposed to would leave an image burnt onto the film. It would later be developed so that the pictures would then form footage which could then be played back.

video; This is a device that plays footage. It is played through a VHS recorder. It was the main way of playing films before the industry turned to digital technology. The image and sound quality from a VHS is not as good as its digital counterpart.

digital; This is footage that is stored on a computer or a memory stick. It is the most common technology used to edit. It stores the footage as files. Digital technology is the main technology used in the media industry because is the most efficient technology available.

Task 1. Provide a written report to explain your understanding of the above media terms, also provide written details about camera and audio equipment you use to record production work. P1 M1 D1

Mac

I use the mac to edit my footage together. I use the editing program Final Cut Pro X.

DSLR

This is the camera I use. It has changeable lenses. Some of the most common types of lenses include; 18-55mm, 50mm, 35mm and 18-300mm lenses.

and I can

Tripod

I use a tripod to keep the camera steady while I film with it. It is also usfuluseful for pans and tilts because it keeps the camera steady.

SD CardsThese are the cards that the camera records footage onto. They can also be used to store audio footage.

USBI use this to make backups of any files I may need for assignments.

MicsI use mics to get good sound quality because the mics on the DSLRs do not produce good quality audio. The two main mics I use are:

Shotgun mic

The shotgun mic is mainly used for indoor recording. It can be attached to the camera and is easier to operate than the boom mic.

Boom mic

This mic is used for outdoor recording. It has a glove over it so that the wind does not interfere with the sound. The boom mic is usually placed on top of a boom pole. This boom pole is then held over the place the audio is being recorded from.

LO1.2 Purposes: storytelling

engaging the viewer, This is when the features of a production are designed to get the audiencesaudience’s attention and hold their attention as the information of the production is presented to them. The viewer also has to be emotionally engaged in the plot and must be anticipating what will happen next. This is used in the opening scene of a lot of films to captivate the audience so they are eager to see more of the film. An example of this is the opening scene of The Dark Knight where it introduces the villain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OYBEquZ_j0

development of drama, This is when the plot from a production presents problems to the protagonists. It follows the protagonists as they try to solve this problem/problems. This is essential for the plot to keep the viewer interested on what is happening onscreen until the ending. This allows the writer to introduce new conflict and heighten the drama in a film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUAie-X3u8I

relationship to genre, This is the term given to how the production has traits typical to productions that fit into the same category. The relationship a film has to a genre helps to target a certain audience. This is done by visual aspects in a scene and by adding in things that the audience associate with a particular genre. Inglorious Basterds is an example of the use of genre ion a film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUAie-X3u8I

creating motivation; This is when the audience gets emotionally invested into the story and they want the protagonists to succeed in their venture. Most films get the audience to want the protagonists to win in a film. An example of this is in the film American Phyco where it is obvious that the protagonist is evil and disgusting but the film gets the audience to root for the protagonist anyways. The film is done from the psychopath’s perspective and the audience gets a very detailed insight on who the psychopath is.

https://youtu.be/LubfmAdQBS0

combining shots into sequences; This is when different shots from a day of shooting that do not present the story on their own are combined into a sequence that tells the narrative. The sequences are then called scenes and the scenes then present the story from a production to the audience. The shots and scenes lengths and places in the order they are shown is determined by the story and how the director and editor wants to portray so that the finished product has the best possible quality.

creating pace. This is where the intensity of a production varies depending on what part of the story is being told. This is so that the audience can get a break from the intense action so they can process what is going on onscreen. It also helps to build up anticipation from on point in the story to another. The intensity has to constantly go to a low point in order to maximise the effectiveness of a climax in the production. The pacing of a film is also made of the duration of a shot combined with the tempo of the music.

Task 2. Describe how the above media terms are important to moving image productions. Give an account of you are intending to employ editing techniques and processes to tell your story? P1 M1 D1

LO1.3 Conventions and techniques: seamless; This is where the cuts done onscreen are done so that they are not noticed. It can be hidden by an action or just timed so that the audience is not paying attention to the cut when it happens. It is used in scenes or productions where it is important for the audience to be completely engaged in a film.

Continunity: This is when the shots are chosen so that they establish the general mood, intensity and tempo of a film. It is when the shots are arranged in such a way so that a story unfolds in such a way that it can be easily followed.

motivated; This is where the editing is done in such a way that the audience is taken into the plot and makes the audience partially believe that what they are seeing onscreen. The shots are chosen to make the story progress from the beginning of a film to the end. Techniques are also used to build tension in the plot of a production for this purpose. Eg. Flashbacks.

montage; This is a series of clips of that go form one shot to another at a quick pace. It conveys a large amount of information in a relatively short amount of time. It is used so that a process that would take a long time on the screen is far shorter and also presents the relevant information to the audience at the same time. A very well known example of this technique is the training montages in the Rocky Balboa films.

jump-cutting; This a transition from one shot to another that happens in a jumping fashion. This is done by the way one shot is framed in relation to another shot. It is commonly used by youtubers to help increase the pace of their videos and therefore keep their target audience watching the video.

parallel editing; This is when two or more scenes are played on the screen at the same time. This is done by alternating between the two scenes constantly. This is usually done to show two people or groups of people doing something in different places at the same time but it can also be during different times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQgtu2rEGvM

180o rule; This is where the camera should not turn more than 180 degrees. This is where the camera stays on one side of the action plane in a scene. When the camera stays on one side of the action plane in a scene it avoids getting the audience confused disorientated with what is happening onscreen. When the camera films on a position off the action plane it revereses the movements of the action happening onscreen. It is commonly used with two-shots. When the 180 degree rule is ignored the shot runs the risk of disorientating the audience. A good example of the 180 degree rule being applied is the bathroom scene in The Shining. When the 180 degree rule is applied it means that the gazes from the actors look consistent. It ensures that the characters movements and gazes looks consistent onscreen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc0_SYZJfzU

splicing; This is the practice of cutting sections of film and pasting them onto the main reel of the film. It is the way that films used to be edited before editing was done on computers. It takes a long time to complete and if there are any mistakes made it is permanent.

transitions, e.g. cut, dissolve, fade, wipe; Transitions are an effect on the screen used to make the change from one shot to another feel more natural and smooth.A cut is the simple change from one shot to another. It is the result of one shot being added to the end of another with no added effects.A dissolve is when one shot fades away and another shot fades onto the screen at the same time.A fade is when a shot slowly disappears of the screen.A wipe is a line that goes across the screen. It gives the impression of one scene being wiped with a widow wiper to show something else behind it.

cutaways; A cutaway is a shot that is of a separate location of where the main scene is being shot. It is used in advertisements for charities to show the problems that the charities are trying to solve in a

visual message. It is very useful for giving the audience an image that ads to what the person is talking about onscreen.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCSV_kgX2wQ

point of view shot; This is a shot that show what is happening in a production from the eyes of a character. It is commonly used in horror films to show the audience that an antagonist is active without showing the antagonist onscreen. An example of a pov shot is the introduction in Halloween.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELF1DCf1ChA

shot-reverse-shot; This is when the camera cuts between one shot and another shot facing the genralgeneral direction of where the first shot was. It is usually used to portray conversations. It helps the audience see who is talking and makes the audience actively listen to what the conversation is about. When I use this technique I get the actors to do the scene twice and both times they do the scene I move the camera to a different angle. The 180 degree rule applies for this technique because there is a danger that the camera can disorientate the audience if the technique is done incorrectly.An example of this technique being used is below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM6exo00T5I

providing and withholding information; This is where the narrative leaves the audience asking questions and gives them enough information to keep their attention. This is used in crime dramas where a team of people have to solve a case. This means that the audience is more likely to stick around until the end so that they can find out how the case is solved. It is also used to create a twist further on into the plot. An example of this is the ending of the usual suspects.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5k73jx2mIc

editing rhythm; This is where the story is told at a quick enough rate to keep the audience entertained and at a slow enough rate so that the audience absorbs the relevant information. This is done by timing the shots so that they carry out this purpose. Jump cutting is a poplar technique used in internet videos because the audience can lose interest very quickly and jump cutting can make the editing rhythm very quick.

crosscutting; This is where the shots in the scene alternate showing action happening in two different locations usually at the same time. It is commonly used to build suspense. It is used in a lot of action scenes for this reason.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmptU7vEkNU

cutting to soundtrack. This is where each cut is decided according to the style of theo music onscreen. This has an effective emotional impact on the audience and is used to empathise an important part of the film. It is usually used sparingly in a film to maximise the effect of the technique when it is used.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CMuOGnXL0U

Task 3. Provide a written report to explain what the above editing conventions and techniques mean and give an account of the editing techniques you plan to use in your production. P1 M1 D1

LO2. BE ABLE TO PREPARE MOVING IMAGE MATERIAL FOR EDITING LO2.1 Preparation techniques:

checking material for faults; This is when the after the production the final product is gone over and any mistakes in the edit are corrected. When I check material for faults I put all of the relevant shots on the timeline and watch each of them separately. I then pick the best shot to put into the final product.

logging and storing clips in folder; This is when the files from a production are organised according to their content. It helps with productions where there is a lot of footage and it saves the editor going through all the footage which saves a lot of time and effort.

creating libraries/bins; This is where I put the footage in folders to make it easier to manage. This makes the desired footage easier to find. This is especially useful when there is a lot of footage.

creating projects; This is the name given to the file that stores the timeline for a video. It is stored in a library file. The project is then selected when the editing program is turned on.

clarifying the purpose of the work with a client. This is where I make it clear what work I will be doing for a client. This is done so that the client knows exactly how I will be doing a video and what that video will say about the charity. It also means that I can make sure that I don’t get caught to do other videos.

Task 4. Write about and describe the editing terms and processes mentioned above LO2.2 Preparing to edit: This is where the editor reviews the footage and if there is a script the script is reviewed. The editor then envisions what the product will look like. Because of this the editor can come up with a rough plan on how to edit the footage.

importing clips to documents folder; This is where the files from an SD card are all transferred onto a file on the computer. It is transferred to a file on the documents folder so that it does not get mixed up with other clips. This also means that the clips can be deleted on the SD and therefore save space.

creating libraries bins and saving to project document folder; This is where the footage is placed into certain files according to its content and the resulting files are then placed into the documents folder. This ensures that the files are well organised and that they do not get mixed up. This makes finding footage faster and more efficient.

timelines; This is the part of the editing program where footage is edited and placed to make a sequence. This is also where music is added. Timelines also show the lengths of some clips compared to other clips.

storage and folder management of all film, This is where the footage is placed into named files so that it is more organised and easier to manage. It also ensures that the files do not get mixed up with other files.

audio and graphics; This is the sound and visual traits of a video. Audio is the sound from a film. Graphics is the picture in a video. Audio was not introduced into films until 1927. Audio includes the music, sound effects and diegetic sound in a film. Graphics is the added captions, animations, titles and any visual effects added in a film. The pictures below are examples of audio and video clips on a timeline.

formats; This is the name given to the types of files that are available for a, picture, video and audio to be stored as. The type of format used to make a video is determined by the platform the video will be played on. Different types of formats include; uncompressed, ProRes, DV and M-JPEG.

resolution; This is the amount of pixels that a video uses onscreen. It can be adjusted during editing for storage purposes. The lower the resolution the lower the picture quality. On internet videos the resolution automatically lowers when the internet connection gets slow enough. This is done in an effort to prevent the video from buffering. Examples of video resolution file types are; 240p, 288p,720p and 1080p. It can also go as high as 4320p on some TVs.

Task 5. Provide screen shots of the editing techniques used. Command – Shift – 4 and select the relevant material on screen.Screen shots of credits clips, libraries/bins, projects. TimeLine, effects, transitions, graphics, titles, etc.

LO3. BE ABLE TO EDIT MOVING IMAGE MATERIAL

LO3.1 Editing technology:

software applications; This is a computer program that functions as a tool for a certain purpose. These programs can be used for designing a computer program, Examples of software applications are Photoshop programs and video editing programs such as final cut pro.

Final Cut Pro X:

hardware, This is the physical components of a computer. It is also the name given to any physical equipment. Eg. cameras, tripods ect. The hardware I use for media work is the Apple computers in NWRC, printers, scanners and my pc at my house.

high definition; This when the quality of the image when it is presented onscreen. 1080p is an example of high definition. standard definition; Standard definition does not have as good a picture quality as high definition. 480p is an example of standard definition.

hard disc; This is a portable device that can store a lot data. It is easily accessible and a convenient way to store files.

exporting productions; This is where all of the files in a production that are on the time line are converted into a single video. This resulting video is the finished product. On final cut I use the master file option to export productions.

file types, e.g. H264 quick time, mov, compression

Task 6. Describe what editing techniques you used to produce the work and provide a list of all editing equipment employed in production process.

LO3.2 Editing process: use appropriate techniques, e.g.

seamless, Seamless editing is where the video is cut so that the audience does not notice the editing in a production. This is done by timing the cuts so that they happen when the audience will not notice them. It is used to maintain the illusion of continuity.

continuity, Continuity is the organising of one shot after another so that the shots unfold into a narrative. It is the practice of executing the shots so that they engage the audience and maintain the illusion of the film being

motivated, A motivated edit is when the camera goes from one shot to another to an object or another scene that was not in the previous shot. It is also done in such a way that it does not break continuality in the film.

montage, This is a sequence of short shots that conveys a lot of information in a compressed time. This saves time and give the audience alt of information without interfering with the pacing.

jump-cutting, This is where two shots in sequence have a very small difference. The second shot can be taken from a slightly different angle or an object or person from the first shot can be moved very slightly. This cut gives the impression of jumping slightly forward in time.

parallel editing; This is where the shots in the scene alternate between two locations in the same scene.

use appropriate transitions, e.g.

cut, A cut is when one shot goes straight to another shot. It is used very often in editing and is very useful for seamless editing.

dissolve, This is where one shot goes to another with a dissolving animation. It is used very often to show the transition from one scene or location to another.

fade, This is where a shot ends and the image fades away, usually to black.

wipe; A screen wipe is where a shot is ended with a line going across the screen. The line leaves the image of a new shot or just a black screen.

use appropriate conventions, e.g.

cutaways, A cutaway is a shot that takes the camera away from the main footage. This helps maintain the audiences attention and helps the audience visualise what is going onscreen.

cutting on action, This is where the shots are timed so that each shot that goes to another meld into each other. This helps with the pacing of the film.

creating juxtapositions, This is where two shots or scenes are placed beside each other. They usually contrast to each other to highlight the differences between the two.

intercutting; This is where the film alternates between two different locations. This technique helps with the narrative.

pace effectively; This is where the lengths and positions of the shots are dictated by the intensity and narrative happening onscreen. The pacing speeds up when the film’s narrative is more intense and

convey information effectively; This is where the audience is told the information in a way that they are not likely to miss it and can keep track of it.

use sound to create impact; This is where sound is added during editing to add to the final product. This is useful adding to the atmosphere of the film.

synchronise sound and vision; This is where the sound in the film matches the video. This can be when sound effects are added and they are put in sync with the actions onscreen. In my social action one of the interviews had the sound out of sync with the audio. I had to fix it so that the audio and video matched.

mix soundtracks; This is where the music in the film is edited by the people making the film. This is useful for dealing with copyright issues and makes the music in a film unique.

overlap sound; This is where multiple sounds are played over each other to add to the main sound. This adds to the audio in the film. This was used in juristic park for the dinosaur roars. Task 7. Describe editing techniques used and provide screen shots of editing techniques employed LO3.3 Post-production tools:

on screen text; This is where writing is placed on a video to give the audience information. I used this on my social action project.

image editing; This is where video footage in a video is edited. I did this in my social action with a shot of the sun going down which was reversed so that it looks as if the sun was going down.

audio editing: This is where audio is edited so it sends the correct message and information to the audience effectively.

Task 8. What credit and title techniques, audio techniques and music clips did you use?

I used a highlight effect for my title for the beginning of my social action film.

I used a non copyright calm song that I downloaded from youtube.

I also used sound effects on an experimental film I made before Christmas.

ASSESSMENT AND GRADING CRITERIA In order to pass this unit, the evidence that the learner presents for assessment needs to demonstrate that they can meet all the learning outcomes for the unit. The assessment criteria for a pass grade describe the level of achievement required to pass this unit.

To achieve a pass grade the evidence must show that the learner is able to:

P1 Describe the development and principles of editing with some appropriate use of subject terminologyP2 Apply editing preparation techniques with some assistance P3 Apply editing techniques working within appropriate conventions and with some assistance. [CT]

To achieve a merit grade the evidence must show that, in addition to the pass criteria, the learner is able to:

M1 Explain the development and principles of editing with reference to detailed illustrative examples and with generally correct use of subject terminology M2 Apply editing preparation techniques competently with only occasional assistance M3 Apply editing techniques to a good technical standard showing some imagination and with only occasional assistance.

To achieve a distinction grade the evidence must show that, in addition to the pass and merit criteria, the learner is able to:

D1 Critically assess the development and principles of editing with supporting arguments and elucidated examples, and consistently using subject terminology correctly D2 Apply editing preparation techniques to a technical quality that reflects near- professional standards, working independently to professional expectations D3 Apply editing techniques to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards, showing creativity and flair and working independently.