Preliminary Task

Shot duration/pace

The duration of a hot will usually reflect the narrative context
Generally speaking, short shot duration conveys action and urgency (say in a shot sequence)

Whilst long duration conveys intensity and intimacy within the narrative, it allows us to focus upon facial expression and other aspects of mise en scene which would otherwise be missed.

Some extra editing devices:

• Parallel editing - cross cutting between different locations can convey the impression that two or more events are occuring simutaneously
• Split-screen - where the frame is split into sections so that we can see different events occuring at the same time.

Editing controls what we see and when, when analysing a clip you also need to consider how editing techniques are used to control what information is revealed to/hidden from:
a) the audience
b) the characters

Transitions

The process of cutting from one shot to another usually involves a simple straight cut. However there are other means of transitions available to a film editor:

• Fade to black
• Dissolve/cross fade
• Wipe

etc...

A pattern of fade out followed by fade in suggests a conclusion to the previous scene and the beginning of a new one, or could seperate a flashback sequence.

Dissolve or cross fade - the preceding shot merges into the following shot, resulting in the two shots being superimposed. The longer the dissolve the more noticeable the superimposition becomes.

Continuity and Non-Continuity

Continuity  Editing

Cutting shots to tella  story with narrative continuity, helping the viewer make sense of the action by implying spacial relationships and ensuring smooth flow from shot to shot.

Continuity Techniques

• Establishing shot (establishes the space in which action is to happen)
• The 180 degree rule (ensures that the same space is described in each shot)
• Shot/reverse shot
• Eyeline match (e.g. character looks off-screen, next shot shows us what they see)
• Match on action (character begins to move in one shot, we see continuation of the same moverment in the next shot)
• Realism (edit is invisible so action appears real, rather than constructed)

Non-Continuity

• Montage - giving information in compressed form
• Non-Continuity editing - continuity is broken and construction is more apparent. Meaning often created through juxtaposition and metaphor shot inserts
• Effect - being created to connote. Stretches reality usually to signify or give a metaphor for something

Editing a clip

What are we looking for when editing a clip?

• making sure its accurate and fluent
• Making sure it looks real so the audience believe it
• Make sure shots link together - sequence
• Transition
• Making sure everything fits together (sounds, shots etc.)

What are we looking for when analysing editing in a clip?

• Order of shots
• Juxtaposition
• Continuously
• Transitions
• Shot duration
• Pace and rhythm
• Special effects

Camera Shots

In today's lesson I learnt four new types of shots:

180 degree rule: The 180 degree rule ensures directional consistency from shot to shot, it may be used in conversation.

Rule of thirds (9 imaginary squares on the screen): the viewfinder screen is divided into thirds horizontally and vertically, when framing a shot, the camera person should consider these imaginary lines when placing characters in the right place.

Depth of field: The amount of distance between the nearest and furthest objects that appear.

Focus pull: Useful for directing the viewers attention. There are two people in the shot but only one character is in focus.

Making a Video

In class we watched a video made by some Australian production team. The video gave us some useful tips and advice on how to control our filming and production schedule.

It started off by telling us the different roles that are involved when producing a film:

- Executive producer: This person will create the filming schedule/timeline, control the budget and decide who fills what rolls.

- Writer: This person will take all the idea that were discussed and write a script for the production

- Director: This person is in charge of all the movement

- Production manager: This person keeps track of the production and makes sure everything is on track to stay in budget/in the deadline

- Storyboard Artist: This person draws and plans the shots in a cartoon strip style

- Camera operator: This person controls the camera and uses the storyboard as the outline and guide of what to film (this can sometime be the same person as the lighting director)

- Lighting Director: This person is in charge of the lighting on set when they start the filming process

- Sound Technician: This person will add sound to the production at the editing stage and may try and record different sounds on set to add at a later stage

- Talent: The talent will be the actors; these will either be auditioned or asked to partake by the executive producer

- Editor: This person will make sure the continuity etc is correct and produce the finished product.

 

They then gave us an outline of the three stages of creating a production.

 

Pre-Production

Scripting

Scene breakdown

Storyboard

Shot list

Casting

Location

Equipment

Catering

Hire of venue

Letting others (around the area) know you're filming

 

Shot list and shooting schedule:

Where

Time needed

Different camera angles

When

How long

 

Plan Ahead, Be Prepared!!

 

Production - The doing stage

Shooting the project

Time management (crucial)

Quality control (image, sound, performance)

Potential conflict between producers (limitations and directors creativity)

 

Post-Production -The finishing stage

Editing

-Rough-cute/off-line and final/on-line

Sound technician balances sounds

All elements combined during editing

Sound mix