Roisin Crossan

Unit 16: Film and Video Editing TechniquesSOCIAL ACTION & THE COMMUNITY FILM ASSIGNMENT Name:  Roisin Crossan

Please 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 P1. UNDERSTAND THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRINCIPLES OF EDITING P1.1 Development: in-camera editing; following the action; multiple points of view; shot variation; manipulation of diegetic time and space; film, video; analogue; digital.

In-Camera Editing:  Is editing the shots in a sequence after shooting, the cinematographer shoots the sequences in strict order. Which means the film is already completed when it is developed. This means that there is less time needed as the film is already made and editing software is not needed although camera movements can affect the overall final.

Following the action: In the case of a big action scene such as a car chase a camera on a tripod does not provide the movement the camera needs. Different equipment is used to achieve these shots. The camera is placed on a cart and moved along with the scene this is sometimes a dolly shot or a tracking shot. Most dollies also have the ability to move vertically to capture footage that maybe high up or in some cases they can be fitted with cranes so the footage is captured.

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Multiple point of view: This is different views of the character. There are different types of shots that may be used.

Point of view: Allows the viewer to see the character directly e.g. A shot of the characters eyes. Over the shoulder: This is when the camera is shooting from behind the characters shoulder therefore the view is from the characters point of view.

Shot variation:This is a sequence of shots using movement. This is helpful for the narration.

Manipulation of diegetic time and space:Editing effects and techniques give the editor manipulate of diegetic time and space. This shows a change in time or location moving forward or back. This can be shown by change in filter on the clip or sometimes speeding up the scene or slowing it down. For example, while we were making our opera film we decided to emphasis on the dullness and misery in the story by using a dark filter.

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Film: Before computers films were edited by cutting and gluing pieces of film together this meant that the films were in linear order. It was then pasted into order and pasted then passed through a machine. (Moviola).

Video:Before editing software information was placed on tapes and the piece edited is placed in linear order. This was done by a mechanical device.

Analogue:This is a tape based traditional type of editing which is linear as it cannot jump at any point in the video. This was all done using a machine called Moviola.

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Digital:Digital editing on a computer is a faster and more efficient way of editing. Editing software allows you to import all the clips you wish to use then place them in the order you want. You can add music, filters, transitions and other effects.

Equipment used to record production work:We used a JVC camera and tripod to shoot our opera film. There was an SD card in the camera which stored all the footage we shot and then it was edited on final cut pro editing software using an apple mac computer.

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P1.2 Purposes: storytelling, e.g. engaging the viewer, development of drama, relationship to genre, creating motivation; combining shots into sequences; creating pace.

Storytelling:Storytelling is a way describing events through sound, images and video. Editing skills are essential when telling a story through film because the style of the editors skills will be the style in which the story is told. The editor must take into account the genre of the film and the target audience. The viewer must be kept engaged and feel connected to the story being told. In my own opinion a film I was able to stay connected with was ‘In The Name Of The Father’ which is based on true events of the troubles in Northern Ireland in the 1970’s. I thought this story was told very well and as it was a true story the colors used and the effects such as dull filters in the editing of the film gave me a real sense of that period.

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Development of drama:Depending on the scene editing can determine the effects needed depending on the situation being played for example, whether it is an intense screen or a comical scene. It may be something as simple adding music to develop the level of drama in the scene.

Relationship to genre:Depending on the genre different styles and techniques may be used to portray that particular genre. In this case editing is very important because it helps to tell the story. For example, in films with intense scenes the pace tends to move faster.

Creating motivation:A motivated edit is something the audience might hear but they won’t be able to see it in the frame. This edit is mostly used in horror films to build up the tension before the character is attacked.

Combining shots into sequence:

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During editing you have to make sure all the clips flow together with each other and make sense with any other effects you may have used such as music. To the audience the edit must seem invisible.

Creating pace:The pace can either speed up or slow down depending on the intensity of the scene. The pace can change how the viewer feels For example, if a scene in at a fast pace it can become dramatic or gripping where as if a scene is in slowed down it can give an emotional feel. In the film ‘Run All Night’ there is a lot of fast moving scenes such as car chases which are intense but at the same time there is a few emotional scenes that move at a slower pace.

 

P1.3 Conventions and techniques: seamless; continuity;

motivated; montage; jump-cutting; parallel editing; 180o rule;

splicing; transitions, e.g. cut, dissolve, fade, wipe; cutaways; point

of view shot; shot-reverse-shot; providing and withholding

information; editing rhythm; crosscutting; cutting to soundtrack.

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Seamless: A seamless cut does not draw attention to itself. It will

appear at a logical stage within the shot

Continuity: gives the impression that the action unfolds with

spatiotemporal consistency. In many films, logical coherence is

achieved by cutting which emphasizes smooth transition of time and

space.

Motivated:  is when the scene cuts to another scene or object that was

not in the previous frame. Are usually justified by

narrative means such as in flashbacks or during a conversation.

Montage:  Is a technique in which shots are juxtaposed in a fast-

paced fashion that compresses time and displays a lot of information

in a short period of time.

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180o rule:

The 180 rule means that the camera shots should not cross 180

degrees between subjects. An imaginary line is used for camera

placement. If the line is broken then the scene can become confusing

for the audience. If the line is broken there is also a higher chance of

see filming equipment and crew members in the shot.

Splicing:

Splicing is a type of film editing. It was the first way to edit moving

pictures. It involves the cutting of film to put together an edited

product. A spicing machine is usually used to do this. The machine

allows the film to be held in place while it is cut or spliced.

Cutaways:

A cutaway is an interruption of a continuously filmed action by

inserting a different shot or image. Cutaways are usually short giving

a feel of what else is going on in the film.

Shot-reverse-shot:

These type of shots are used in conversations between two people.

They are edited together to alternate between the characters. Close

ups are used when using this technique so the camera can focus on

one person.

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Providing and withholding information:

This is when the film is made more dramatic by giving the viewer

more or taking away information. This technique usually used to

provide clues throughout the piece and to get the audience interested.

Cutting on action: This when the editor cuts from one shot to

another view that matches the first shot.

Creating juxtapositions: Placing two ideas next to each other, you

can create a third idea in the viewers mind. This can create a higher

meaning.

Pace: is making the shot move at a fast, slow or steady pace or the

pace you think is suitable for the shot.

Rhythm: Sequences where shots are the same length has no rhythm.

Rhythm requires that the length of shots should change. But rhythm

should be perceived intuitively.

Use sound to create impact: Adding non-diegetic sound such as the

sound effect of someone knocking on the door when their doing so on

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the screen or adding music to enhance the emotions towards the visual

aspects.

Synchronise sound and vision: This is to ensure that the sound is in

time with the pace of the clip for example, if someone us talking it

needs to be in time with the pace of the clip.

Cutting to soundtrack:

This involves editing video in time with music. The pace is matched

with the tempo of the music, this is how cutting to a soundtrack is

done.

P2.1 Preparation techniques: checking material for faults;

marking up a script; labelling tapes; storing tapes or film;

producing an edit decision list; creating bins; clarifying the

purpose of the work with a client.

Checking material for faults:

The material should be checked few times to make sure all the

essential video and sound is there for the post production. It is

important to make sure everything is working and batteries have been

charged to prevent delay.

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Marking up a script:

The script is very important to ensure everyone involved knows what

they are doing. You can keep on track but also make changes if you

need to. It also helps you get a picture of how you want the piece to

be.

Labelling tapes:

Labelling tapes makes it a lot easier to locate them when you need

them. Because there are so many tapes and videos in media it is

important to keep everything together as things are easily misplaced.

Storing tapes or film:

Some directors still like to use film for a certain effect. It is important

tapes or film properly as they are easily damaged. If they are stored

somewhere too hot it will become sticky. It is important to make a

few spare copies.

Producing an edit decision list:

An edit decision list is a shot list in the order that the director wants

them in the finished film. This list is typically used along with

storyboards to make sure all the shots are in order.

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Creating bins:

Creating a bin is done by clicking on the box of sequences and

clicking the tab New Bin/folder this is a good way to organise folders.

Clarifying the purpose of the work with a client:

It is important that the project is well understood by the client and

they understand exactly what the editor wants to do. It is important to

keep the editor up to speed with every step of the production.

Importing clips:

The media that will be used should be imported. Importing clips is

when the clips are imported into the edit suite so that the media can be

used for the timeline. The clips are imported into the library and

project.

Timelines:

The timeline is where the media is put together in the order the editor

wants. Effects and music may be added.

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Storage and folder management:

It is very important to manage folder and keep everything that belong

together in the same folder and name them as it makes things easier to

find and they are less likely to get lost.

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Online and offline editing:

Footage is copied and edited without affecting the original film/video.

the original will then be prepared for the online editing stage. Online

editing takes place in the final stage of process.

Formats:

Formats are the way in which data is arranged.

Resolution:

The resolution of an edit can be altered to suit the video use at the

beginning of the project. This is where SD or HD is decided.

P3.1 Editing technology: software applications; hardware, e.g.

non-linear, linear; high definition; standard definition; tapes;

hard disc; data transfer rates; exporting productions; file types,

e.g. mov, avi, flv; compression

Software applications: can be separated into two classes:

systems software and applications software. Applications

software (also known as end-user programs) includes things like

database programs and word processors.

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Hardware: The computers wiring, and other physical components of

a computer or other electronic system.

 

Describe what these terms mean?

Non-linear:

This means the clips are not arranged in order.

Linear: This means the clips are arranged in order.

High definition: A high level of detail in the image or clip.

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Hard disc: A non-removable disk with a large storage capability.

Exporting productions: It is used to create a copy or back up of a

file

 

File compression types:

MP3: is an audio coding format used for digital audio which uses a

form of data compression. It is a commonly used for consumer

audio streaming. It is used in editing to add music to the piece by

using a system called YouTube toMP3 Converter.

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MP4: is a digital multimedia container format which is mostly used

to store video and audio. It is also used to store data such as subtitles

and still images.

MOV: It is used for storing movies and other video files.

AVI: This allows you to store audio and video data in the same file

container and allows synchronous audio-with-video playback.

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FLV: is a container file format used to share digital video content for

example: TV shows and movies across the Internet using Adobe Flash

Player.

P3.2 Editing process: use appropriate techniques, e.g. seamless, continuity, motivated, montage, jump-cutting, parallel editing; use appropriate transitions, e.g. cut, dissolve, fade, wipe; use appropriate conventions, e.g. cutaways, cutting on action, creating juxtapositions, intercutting; pace effectively; convey information effectively; use sound to create impact; synchronise sound and vision; mix soundtracks; overlap sound; offline edit; online edit

 

Cut: A cut in an abrupt transition from one sequence to another.

Dissolve: This means there is a gradual fade out of a screen or image

to another.

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Fade: Similar to ‘Dissolve’ it is a gradual fade out or a slower

movement to the next screen or image.

Wipe: is when one shot replaces another by moving from one side of

the frame to the other.

Jump-cutting: is when two sequential shots of the same subject are

shot from camera positions that are slightly different.

Parallel editing: is when two or more shots are shown at the same

time but may have been shot in different locations.

P3.3 Post-production tools: on screen text; image editing; audio

editing Assessment and grading criteria.

In the editing of our Social Action film ‘Help the environment help

you’ I used a basic 3D text for the title and for the text on the clips.

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I used different a few different song to play in the background of the

film and made it lower when someone was talking. I also had to

adjust the sound if someone’s voice was slightly softer.

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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 terminology

P2 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

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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.