Post production: editing

From 20th of February to 3rd of March our group was editing. We used lessons and our free time to finish before the deadline, and we managed. The editing process is derived from the traditional  process of working with film, but now it increasingly involves the use of digital technology. The film editor works with the raw footage, selecting shots and combining them into sequences to create a finished motion picture.

Sergei Eisenstein editing his movie 

"Battleship Potemkin", 1925

We started from reviewing and selecting the footage to make sure that the most suiting shots are used for editing. This changed many of our expectations. The shots we filmed didn't look exactly as we imagined, so we had to adjust and make the best of what we had by inventing a new sequence and changing their durations. The intended outcome remained the same: a smooth edit with unnoticeable transitions and fitting sound. We then re-named every shot we intended to use to improve the organisation of footage and the efficiency of editing. The key decisions that I made were at the stages of selecting footage from the rushes, assembling the footage in the right order and working with the sound. Now, when the editing is finished, we are discussing wether we should colour grade it.

The shot is too dark and needs to be colour graded

We used Adobe Premier Pro to edit our work and Soundcloud as the sound software. The interface of Adobe is made of the Timeline, Program Monitor, Source Monitor and the Clips Section. The timeline is where the editing takes place. After dragging the footage onto it and arranging into the right sequence, one can manage its duration and related sound effects. By closing the gaps between shots we created a single video instead of separate shots. The sound was adjusted by unlinking it from the video and and stretching it over the neighbouring shots, or cutting it out of the footage and inserting in the proper moments of the timeline. So far we have only diegetic sound, but we are searching for non-copyrighted music that would serve us as a soundtrack. When a shot was selected it turned white. If any effects were applied for it, a small fx icon in its corner turned yellow. When editing one can use the following tools: selection, ripple edit, rate stretch, slip, pen, hand, track select, rolling edit, razor, slide and zoom. E. g. the razor tool is used to make cuts in any parts of selected shots. In a good edit shots are cropped tightly, matching the movements and object's position in the previous shots. This suits the actions and graphics in a sequence making, if the continuity rule was followed during filming. The video is then more entertaining and realistic.

 Logos of the used softwares 

The audience can forgive a dodgy angle or transaction, but not poor sound. Therefore, we want to re-record foleys of the sounds that don't work. We will use calm, moderately paced music to create a juxtaposition by contrasting it with the violent action. Loud cutting noises create tension as they remind as of the knife that was used for stabbing the main character.

Professional sets have sound operators who are 

responsible for recording good quality sound

We succeeded to construct a diegesis in our opening sequence by putting the footage into chronological order, presenting the audience with actions and reactions, and sustaining the narrative structure by following the order of exposition, climax and resolution. The story development is reflected by the editing. Use of a shot-reverse-shot when the the man wakes up shows the relationship between the man and the woman. His facial expression reflects fear, and shot of the woman clarifies that he is scared of her. The slow fade into the opening shot and long durations between shots sets a slow pace for the first part of the scene. The frequency of transitions then increases, building the speed of actions, and reaches the climax during the characters' brawl. Then again the shots become longer, slowing down the pace until the culmination. By leaving the ending unfinished, we create a mystery, a question that makes the audience more interested.

Chris looking at his killer 

Like in any movie, the opening required titles. We have put the credits before the first frame, accompanied by the music, and during the first several shots of the opening. Titles stay on the screen for thrice the time it takes to skim read them, so that quick readers wouldn't get bored and slow readers fall behind. Both production companies and most of the names and were made up, since we never had a chance to make the full movie, but the main roles and production members were mentioned accordingly. We created them in effects controls and inserted into the timeline.

Our made up production company