UNIT 16 - Evaluation of edited sequence

In our short edited sequence we successfully used thew following techniques, 180 degree rule, match on action, graphic match, and shot-reverse-shot. In my opinion i think we done a good job with the techniques we were given as they were followed precisely and accurately.  However we could of improved the graphic match as it looked a bit un-professional  and seemed more towards the amateur way of filming.

We used the 180 degree rule rule efficiently as we followed the exact rulings of it. When filming we didn't cross the line and we kept to one side when filming over both shoulders. The audience would be disorientated as the camera was focused on each of the characters and did not move over to the other side, so i would personally say that we have done a good job of keeping with the 180' degree rule.

We also used the technique Match on action. This is when we use continuation to make sure there is a smooth flow in between shots and scenes. This makes it more realistic and it appeals to the audience more because they aren't seeing jumpy cuts. This made the scenes fit perfectly together. i think we used this well as it added continuity to our short film, however we could of used a variety of different shots rather than using the same one repeatedly.

The Shot-reverse-shot was also done successfully in our film, as we kept switching between the characters as they were speaking. This is the technique and we have done it successfully in our short film, as the camera focuses on the characters as they speak. We used a over the shoulder shot for each time we speak to show the character that was speaking and how a bit of the characters that is listening.

In our film we however did not put in parallel editing in our film, this technique shows two events happening at the same time, we did not edit or film scenes to be able to put this technique into place, this is something that we could place in the future in further projects. This could potentially effect our overall grade as we didn't include this technique that was needed.

The graphic match in our film, was also not done very well, as the shot was at a weird angle and the two objects that we needed to frame was also not fitted perfectly, so it made the graphic match seems unprofessional and to be of low standard. I personally think we would of taken objects into frame perfectly, and then to make the quality of the graphic match better I would make sure that the objects were lined up together accurately and I would move back with the camera slowly to make them disolve I to eachother. This would have been more appealing to watch.

UNIT 16 - History of Editing

Editing Impacts

Edwin Porter

The impact that Edwin Porter had was that he used one single cut in his editing, this meant he could see films in two different perspectives, back when cinema had first got off the ground many criticised it as the whole film would be one continuous shot, some even said it was pointless, "why waste money on a film when you could just watch one shot in real life?". Porter allowed audiences to see characters in two different places linked in a story. This can be seen in his film 'The Great Train Robbery'. This enabled storytelling to be pushed to new extent as it introduced more characters and their individual role into film. It had also made films ore interesting as we would be able to see different locations and cuts with one shot each time. This made cinemas become even more popular as it allowed audiences to see such editing as in real life they cant be in two places at once but with the films getting produced with Porters technique, they'd be able to watch it. The audience were able to engage furthermore into films as a story would from from these cuts and they'd be able to see all of it from an audiences view. This added realism and depth into each film that used cuts and kept viewers interested at all times as oppose to just showing them one entire shot.

D.W Griffith

The impact that G.W Griffith had was that he was the first every editor to use a variety of different shot types. Griffiths had used many shots and was well known for introducing the "close-up" which showed just the characters face and nothing else. Films before this would only consist of one type of shot, for example the "Long shot". By having many shot types it engages the audience and doesn't bore them from seeing one constant shot with action. This puts viewers wondering what could happen next and makes a film ten times better. The "Close up" lets us see characters emotions and how they are feeling from just their facial expressions. This could enhance the story better and give it the vibe it needs to fit the genre it has come under, e.g. Romance would consist of a lot of emotion. The impact this has on the audience is that they can see the film from different angles and perspectives. This again keeps them interested and doesn't bore the audience.

Sergei Eisenstein

The impact of Sergei Eisenstein was that he was the first ever director/editor to create and produce a propaganda film. This was based on the Russian Revolution. This included fast pace editing and a variety of shots. The film was about how the Czar ordered to kill his own civilians, this made it realistic for the viewers to watch as it consisted of real life events and the Russian people could relate to this making it even more popular as they would've experienced these events themselves. The fast paced editing used in the film allowed the story to be told quickly and effectively. This built up tension and left the audience wondering on what would happen next. The famous "Stairs Scene" was revolutionary at the time, although it was fast paced the audience could depict the emotion of every person who would have been there that day, this had also kept them engaged.

Alfred Hitchcock

The impact of Alfred Hitchcock was that in his film 'Psycho' more specifically in the shower scene, it consisted of 78 pieces of film that needed to be edited and cut separately and the camera was set up around 70 times to get different shots and angles. This enabled the story and the killing to be seen in different perspectives from different characters. This in effect made the film more dramatic and allowed producers to make the film as unique as they possibly could. This allowed producers to make murder/killing scenes more thrilling and realistic. Usually you'd see a murder story from one point of view but allowing the murder to be seen in different ways opens the variety of emotions that would be towards different characters within the film. Furthermore, by using effects such as slow motion for more detail in the murder this allowed development for 'slow motion' in modern films. The impact this would have on the audience would be that they would have sympathy for the victim and have more of a feel towards the murder. This of course can be seen in modern films today.

UNIT 16 - storyboard for editing techniques

UNIT 16 - Purposes

Storytelling

Storytelling can be done in films through the directors using certain techniques to show a story within the film. This can be seen in the film Hancock. In this film the director has represented the main character who is a superhero as an alcoholic/drunky who is extremely reckless. This is done by the director making the character look scruffy and making him homeless. Also the character at times is represented negatively with non-diegetic sounds where the sound and music makes the character seem bad even though he is trying to do good. This gives us the image that he is mid-understood. Furthermore, storytelling can be done through the use of quick-cutting shots. In the film Hancock, the antagonist was also suffering mentally, so the use of quick cutting scenes made it look like he was going insane. It also shows the emotions and struggle he is going through so the audience can sympathise with him.

Engaging the viewer

Films can engage the viewer in many different ways. The director can use various techniques to make sure the audience are focused on what's going on within the film. An example of this within a film would be in the film Fast and Furious 7. The team are chasing down a truck with armed vehicles protecting it. A POV shot was used o show the characters point of view and what they were seeing at that exact time. This would engage the viewer as they would see what the characters are seeing. This puts them in their shoes and can bring them closer to the film. Direction and cutting can also engage the audience through he speed and time the shots change. In Fast and Furious 7 there were jump-cuts used to speed up time in action. The camera would focus on one thing and then move on to the next in quick time. This shows the audience how quick everything is happening therefore it will engage them further into the film due to quick pace and action.

Development of drama

Direction and editors know that drama will always have its effect on the audience. Editors can link drama into something which make audiences feel different types of emotions. For example in the film Titanic. In the famous scene of the titanic sinking, it was obviously a depressing time when it all happened so the editor decided to make sure that when editing to make the lighting dark and full of dark colours. This resembles the mood the audience should be feeling at the time and also shows the feelings being portrayed by the characters.

Relationship to Genre

This is where the film shows relationship with the genre it has been put under. It is said (in my opinion) that romance films tends to be slower in terms of pace of action, so the camera cutting snd moving in the film '50 Shades of grey'. This film came under romance as it has very sexual scenes in it. The pace of which the camera was moving was very slow and smooth. In some cases the shot changed to a faster motion to make it intense as well as romantic. The scenes focused longer on the intimate shots to give it that more affect of it being more "love" and "passion" between two characters.

UNIT 16 - Development

In camera editing- is the technique where instead of editing the shots in a film into a sequence in strict order. The resulting "edit" is therefore already complete when the film is developed. By doing this t saves time and the outcome of this is that the director and editor can capture footage they want. In camera editing was used before they had editing such as the splicing machine used in the early 1900's. This meant that they had to film the shots what they wanted in sequence, this meant what they were filming was basically edited as they went along. An example of a production which used 'in camera editing' was a film called "exiting the factors" made the Lumiere brothers. The brothers would have thought about what they wanted to film and the order that they were going to film in. Another example of a film which used in-camera editing was a short film called 'Karma'. This film hard a variety of shots and angles all used with the technique of in-camera editing. The effect of this was that it made editing way quicker and made the film run smoothly.

Following the action- following the action focuses on what's going on in the scene. So the camera will switch to whe enter the action is to show the audience what is happening at that exact time. By following the action it allows audiences to keep up with the shots and have the excitement they'd feel by keeping their attention on what's on show. An example of of this within a film would be in the film 'Skyfall' when James Bond was on the train and getting shot at by the hit man, the camera switches from one focus to the other. This keeps the audience engaged whether Bond is glib to get shot or not or if he beats the villain. Another example would be in 'Mission Impossible' when there is a car/motorbike chase. The camera follows the main focus of the scene and switches between the two characters who are going against eachother, this keeps audiences engaged as they want to know where what happened next. 

Multiple points of view- with multiple points of view, you can see a variety of different characters and their perspective. In effect and mode of storytelling. Multiple POV can give he audience an overview of each cha rarer within a film. If we had  a film with various characters within the story and we only had the POV from one of them then we wouldn't understand other characters as clear as we would do to see things from their personal perspective. And the story wouldn't be as effective and interesting because adding different peoples view gives audience a variety of viewing points. An example of a film evict used multiple points of view is the film 'Saving private Ryan'. This film has many characters who are all heroes and shows their perspective we they go though the way, and what they are doing. This allows the audience to get a feel of what it would actually feel like being in the characters shoes (war). This is done by adding different POV's and it will give the audience a bigger picture as the film isn't just focused on one persons view.

Shot variation- Shot variation means using a variety of different shots when filming. These shots can vary from extreme long shots to extreme close ups. Using a a wide variety of camera shots can either add an effect on the audience for example showing emotion on a characters face you'd use extreme closeup or a long shot can be used. A long shot is where the audience get to see a bigger picture of the characters surroundings. There are many other shots which directors use when taking shot variation into consideration and the effect they had in the audience can also vary. An example of a film which was a variety of shots is the film 'Inception'. This film used a 'constant flowing shot' to a close-up' of the characters face snd emotion at the time. The film also used a medium long shot to show the surroundings of the characters within the scene.

Manipulation of time and space- This is where the editor changes the speed of which the film goes to show the audience a long period of time into a relatively short time. An example of a this would be in the film "The time travelers wife". This film used slow-motion editing techniques. The effect this had on the audience is that it shows emotion through the amount of focus the camera shows on the characters faces. Since this is a love film it is very effective when it comes to showing emotion, such as love and affection as it is more dramatic in that way.

UNIT 16 - How to use Final Cut Pro

STEP BY STEP GUIDE

1) Click onto the Final Cut Pro.



2) Go onto 'File' and 'new'.

 

3)  Select 'New Project'.



4) Title the project



5)  Download footage from camera or SD card by selecting on this icon.



6) Select from files.



7) drag from downloads onto the editing timeline.



8) (EDIT) Trim and add in clips in any order you please.



9) Add in Text, effects and transitions on the right.



10) Once video is completed and edited to your standard and liking select the share button.



11) Select The platform you want to share the video on (in this case Youtube).



12) Add in a description/change the title of video (choice).



13) (ON YOUTUBE) once you are signed into your youtube account go onto 'My Channel'.



14) The final and completed video should appear on  your recent uploads.

UNIT 16 - Timeline

UNIT 16 - Techniques

THE CONCEPT OF EDITING

Throughout the years the whole concept of editing has changed. Nowadays there are more variety of shots to take and techniques to put into productions. This can make the look of a production totally different as many of these different types of editing have added new meaning to just an average scene. This makes the whole watching more interesting as certain techniques has the audience read in between the lines which just makes the film or production have a deeper meaning and it just seems more interesting to watch. There are many editing techniques as said before here are some of them in detail:

Continuity/Match on action

Continuity or "match on action" is when two scenes connect with each other smoothly to make one scene. This is done to make the two separate shots run with persistance and to make it look like they match each other. the camera would have to cut and start very precisely in order for it to loo like a one take smooth run. this adds to the pleasure as it adds realism. If the scene jumped from a man entering a door being half way in the door frame to him going back and entering the room it doesn't look smooth and it could also confuse the viewer. Hence why it is important that the camera starts filming at the point of where the action had stopped so when he or she starts filming again it doesn't look like it was filmed separately. This adds to the entertainment and realism to the whole production.


                                                                                    180 degree Rule

The 180 rule is basically when the camera stays on one side of the subjects. this can be done whilst filming a  conversation between two people. So for example the camera would on the right side of subject A and when it turns on to the other side the subject should always stay on the initial side of the line. This shows that the subject isn't switching positions and jumping form place to place. If the rule wasn't in place then the audience would get very confused when watching the programs characters may be switching sides of their half. If the 180 degree rule has to be broken the camera should show the transition of going from one side to the other to avoid further confusion.





Cutting to the beat


Cutting to the beat can be used in film but is mostly used in music videos. This is when the shot cuts in time with the music/beat. By doing this it makes the scene look more smooth and appealing to audiences. If the cutting was not in time with the beat then it would look odd and not very appealing to the eye.

                            Shot reverse Shot

Shot reverse shot is when the action switches between two characters who are usually in a conversation. this helps to show the audience what the reaction of the other person in the conversation might be. if there were to be a shot which focused only on one person in the conversation then it would be very interesting to watch and the audience wouldn't be aware of what the other character might have to say.

Montage

A montage is used in a film to show the passage of a longer period of time by cutting sots together. These cuts can show progress or repetition of a character in what they are doing. This saves time as the audience wants to see an overvue of what has gone on instead of seeing everything happen because it would take too long. An example of this would be in film Rocky when he was training to get better and he would train almost every day, the scenes consisted of him running up and down stairs and using equipment to get stronger for weeks on end however the montage condensed that down to about a minute.  This shows progress of the character and tells a story as well as saving time.


                                                                                    Jump Cuts

           
Jump cuts are jerky cuts to show information relevant to the current scene. This saves time for instant if a man is walking down a corridor, instead of watching him walk the entire walk the jump cuts would cut him coming closer each time. This looks interesting and saves a lot of wasted footage. An example of when a jump cut was used was in the film "Old boy" by Chan Wook. The man had been put into police custody after a lead up in events and had been put in a room. he was very drunk and had been causing trouble in the room. the jump cuts showed everything he done without needing to show him getting up and doing these things, so the use of jump cuts really did cut the shots taken to reduce time and show everything what was going on.

Cutaways

A Cutaway is shot showing the reaction of a character during a scene. This is also referred to as a reaction shot. This shot enables the audience to see what is happening in reaction to the action taking place. The benefit of seeing a reaction is that it makes the scene way more interesting. IF scene were to have for example a fight going on, seeing the reactions of others is more interesting than just having one person punching the other for an entire scene. An example of this within a film would be the film 'Divergent', this showed a character being threatened by the other by holding them off a bridge. The camera showed other characters reaction to this making the scene more intense and thrilling to watch.

                                                        Parallel editing / cross cutting

Parallel editing is when there are two scenes shown which make them look like they are happening simultaneously. This can be shown to the audience as a build up, it also shows a constant cutting to these separate events happening. The benefit of doing this is that by seeing this the audience can tell that these two scenes are happening at the same time. An example of this would be 'Life of an American Fireman' by Edwin S porter. This was he first film to ever use the "parallel editing" technique and worked successfully. Porters method of parallel editing made audiences realise how effective this was and made the film way more interesting.


Transitions/wipes

Transitions make two scenes connect to each other without cutting the actual scene. There are many examples such as "Fade-in" and "Fade-outs". This allows the audience to see the fluidity of a scene and the next to make them connect with each other. This can also show a passage of time. So the fade can make the audience feel time passing by. A production which used this was a youtube video where the boy had been beaten up and he was stumbling to get his balance back, whilst doing so the fade in and fade outs had made  the audience feel as if time was passing by slowly and that he was struggling.


Graphic Match

Graphic Match is when two scenes together don't make sense, however the two scenes have a deeper meaning / effect on the audience. This has an impact on the audience is so that they understand the subliminal message encoded into the visuals/shots. It adds depth to the story and allows the audience to boost their self-esteem as they'd most likely be able to decode those messages in the film, this will in effect give off a feel good factor.

UNIT 16 - Final 45 second Film