I have
realized when discussing with the group that I prefer the story to be told in
one
long
take instead of cutaways I think it might be related to directors I was
watching
when
much younger. (woody allen Cameron, almodovar (excellent editing
experimental
)
What
went right / wrong, and what would I do differently next time?
When
planning for drama production I incorporated rules for editing for filming
watching
girl with pearl earring I noticed natural transition from one scene to another
when
filming from blank wall pan the camera to the scene . I used this technique
filming
for client led video -
Still
discussing silent movie, I made notes of filming for the edit common rules:
Get LS
of scene wherever possible to orientate the viewer (remember, that the
audience
doesn’t know what you know!)
• Make
sure there are good ‘handles’ on every shot
• Get
cutaways from the action
•
Anticipate continuity problems
Where
there is going to be commentary, allow for this in the length and pace of the
takes
• Plan extensive coverage and repeat action to give more options in The Cutting
Room •
Get good audio wild track - environmental noises (can help create / build)
atmosphere
and bridge scenes too • Drama - use ID board at top of shots
I knew
I want to work with Patrick Brennan as he is a classic cinema lover and fast
pace
situational comedy is his favourite and was reflected in his showreel from
college.
I had this idea of something funny and fast and then Patrick added this
character
in dramatic everyday situation. And then we added Chelsea Neil and
Madelen
Nygaard as a camera ops. When planning our silent movie we took our
inspiration
from melodramatic performance of Mary Jane. We added my exaggerated
chase
scene, when I loos the hat and keeping hands up running. We tried to use same
performance
elements, over the top facial expressions of Patrick. It also had an impact
for my
story telling editing. I wanted the performance to tell the story so I kept long
shots
I also used one very long scene of chase in which actions happens out o the
screen
– the couple disappeared – I wanted the audience to pause for a moment and
thing
where did they go. And surprise the audience when the couple runs back into the
screen.
I also
understood how important the music is. We used 4 different settings: main
characters
house (messy bedroom and bathroom), work place – the office,
Street
side walk when our character is rushing to work. Inspired by benny Hills Show
we
used bicycle chase scene and wobbly cyclist to add more comic approach.
Filming
in different locations required organisational skills and that was when my
OCD
came to use ☺. We had the shot list
ready after our 2nd production meeting, and
we get
on with filming quickly. We used one of university rooms for filming, what
required
written permission. We also struggle as the team did not want to be filmed.
But
having talk about it for several evenings involving cups of hot chocolate to
quiet
down
unhappiness we get on with filming pretty quickly.
However
during the first days of filming, extremely engaged in the project I ignored
my bad
kidneys symptoms and by the end of filming I end up in hospital. That
slowed
me down and not only caused pain but also a lot of frustration. However I
have
learn my limits. To be honest I am glad that happened as now I am much more
careful
balancing my work / home time and I am managing to find time for relax. I
came
up with system of getting uni work done only when in university between 9 am
– 5
max 7 pm.
As a
producer I have to learn to be more careful in terms of other’s work and double
check
the recording format and outcome of filming.
I have
realised when discussing with the group that I prefer the story to be
told in one
long take instead of cutaways I think it might be related to
directors I
was watching when much younger. (woody allen Cameron,
almodovar
(excellent editing experimental )
In
terms of time management in the editing process I used my time productively. In
spite
of deadline extension I managed to finish beforehand. I created the title
referring
for more dramatic effect to old black and white movie Bicycle Thief which I
have
been recommended to watch when in college. In the editing process I used only
long
cuts. I have used avid media composer – to get into good practice of post
production
process. There wont be any sound only a fast pace music track to
emphasise
comic effect. When screening I have noticed couple of continuity and
editing
errors like the moment when Patrick leaves the home in hurry I repeat handles
from
different angles. I have fixed those errors after screening. And I made
corrected
version
ready for resubmission. I had a lots of fun editing silent movie. First time I
start
thinking that I want to edit something not that I have to edit something.
CONSIDER
THE CUT
Simple
Somehow resonates with our perceptions of reality (Murch) Dynamic
Powerful
– creates instant association (Lev Kuleshov) Can be the most demanding
technique
of all
Six Elements
of an Edit (Roy Thompson) Motivation Information Composition Sound
Camera
Angle Continuity CONTINUITY ‘If we see a series of shots that are
supposed
to show the same action from different angles, we do not expect to see
radical
changes in the appearance of things in the various images. We expect
continuity.’
Millerson – reflective: I start to understand how
important in
filmmaking
continuity is an how its lack can destroy the trust audience put in the
filmmaker
Continuity
(Ward)
-
Continuity of CONTENT - Continuity of MOVEMENT - Continuity of POSITION
(in
space) - Continuity of SOUND
Continuity
(TWO MORE!)
Continuity
of TONE (Light and Colour) - Continuity of TIME In action continuity
sequences,
make sure there is no missing, duplicated or extended time
‘Invisible
Editing’ - Some Common Rules
Avoid
cutting between shot that are extremely different (BCU to ELS for example) •
Avoiding
cutting between shots that are too similar in size and angle (Creates ‘Jumps’
– the
30 degree rule) • If subjects are travelling in the one direction – continue
this
direction
in adjacent shots (Left-Right or Right-Left)
Avoid
cutting between still shots and moving images (pan, tilt, zoom) except for a
specific
reason • If you have to break continuity in action, use a cutaway that relates
to the
subject or the set-up • The 180 degree rule - avoid cutting to shots that make
a
person
or object jump from on side to the screen to the other