Unit 16 (QCF Spec)

Assignment 1 - Editing Jargon Buster


Learning outcomes


On completion of this unit a learner should:
  • Understand the development and principles of editing 

Spelling & Punctuation



  

   

  

  

  

 

   

 

  




"For example, in the scene in ________ where _______ happens, the editing technique _______ is used.  The effect of this on the audience is __________"


  • Correct use of capital letters and punctuation!
  • Look at the model answers and use the mark scheme to target higher criteria.

Exemplar Response


Click here to see an exemplar response.  Use it for inspiration, DO NOT copy from it..


Model Answers


Pass answer



Shot Reverse Shot is when two shots flip.  It is usually a mid shot, and an over the shoulder shot.  It is used in dialogue scenes.  It links to the 180 Degrees Rule.  It can be seen in the Lost clip.  We can see facial expressions which make the audience feel a certain way.


Merit answer



Shot Reverse Shot is when two shots are flipped, like a mirror, to create the reverse view.  It is usually a mid shot, and an over the shoulder shot, and is used in dialogue scenes to make it appear that two characters are facing each other talking.  This is done by following the 180 Degrees Rule, to make sure the camera does not pass the invisible line between the two characters.  It can be seen in the Lost clip, where Jack and Locke arguing.  Because of the use of mid shots, and then extreme close us, we can see that facial expressions are being emphasised, which might make the audience appreciate the emotions of the character.


Distinction answer


In the scene in Lost (2004), where Jack and Locke argue in the hatch, this would be an example of a shot reverse shot. The technique takes advantage of the 180 degree rule, to ensure that the characters are seen to be facing each other at all times. This is done by ensuring the camera does not pass the invisible line between the two characters. The result is a shot of Jack, looking left at Locke, and a shot that mirrors that, of Locke looking right at Jack. Their eye line is in line with each other, roughly a third of the way down the screen, to provide a smooth edit the audience shouldn't notice. The technique also takes advantage of varying camera angles. Initially the mid shot is used, but gradually as the sequence progresses, the shot moves to a close up, and then an extreme close up. The effect of this is it increases tension, as the audience is brought closer to the drama and action. The use of the ECU in particular allows the audience to see the actors facial expressions, highlighting his anger, confusion and possibly emotional pain.


Screenshot example...


Make sure you cite the screenshots exactly like below...


Watch the two clips provided, and compare how the editing techniques used differ. For example, how do the two clips manipulate the audience? 

How are you meant to feel and experience each clip? Try and use specific media terminology, such as:
  • camera angles
  • lighting
  • close ups
  • establishing shot
  • POV
  • costume
  • body language
  • sound


Editing terms and supporting examples...

Point of View Shot


A point of view shot (also known as POV shot, First-person shot or a subjective camera) is a short film scene that shows what a character (the subject) is looking at, represented through the camera.


♫ ► clip



Multiple Points of View




Shot-Reverse-Shot / Over the Shoulder


Shot reverse shot (or two shot or over the shoulder shot) is a film technique where one character is shown looking at another character (often off-screen), and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character.

It is used in tandem with the 180 rule.

♫ ► clip clip

aka ‘Over the shoulder’ and ‘two shots’

Need to use additional cinematography terminology here as well...

MID SHOT or MS


CLOSE UP or CU

EXTREME CLOSE UP or ECU

OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT or TWO SHOT 


Most often used in dialogue scenes containing two characters...





This same techniques will be used in video came cut scenes, to develop narrative...


Also often used to show the same character talking to themselves...





180° Rule


In film making, the 180-degree rule is a basic guideline regarding the on-screen spatial relationship between a character and another character or object within a scene. An imaginary line called the axis connects the characters, that shouldn't be crossed.

It is used in tandem with the shot-reverse-shot.

Shot variation



...or lack of shot variation... 


not using any cuts purposefully for long sequences,

called a 'Tracking Shot'






Editing pace


Dictated by the duration of the shots.  As in how long the shot lasts (in seconds) before it is replaced by another camera angle.

(also jump cuts)

(note the very long lingering shots)

(shorter shots, that vary in length as conversation tone changes)

Jump cuts


An abrupt transition from one camera angle to another, very rapid, and very short in duration. Often used in fight or chase scenes to inject pace, intensity.


DEFINITION MUST HAVES

CUT TOs. RAPID. ABRUPT. FREQUENCY. VOLUME.
SOMETIMES SAME CAMERA ANGLE (YOUTUBE)
CHASE OR FIGHT SCENES
CONFUSE OR DISORIENTATE USER (THEN EVALUATE BAD POINTS)



Model answer extract...

During the fight scene, the director cuts frantically between different kinds of camera angles.  For example, most of the fight scene is shown through a series of mid shots.  This is to ensure the audience see the muscular torso and close combat fighting skill, where body shots are important.  However, there are many occasions where the jump cuts change rapidly (and often) to extreme close ups, which are much closer to the protagonist, and show intricate details of the fight. In Gladiator, it is the wide open wound when the blade hits the chest and arm.  This is to emphasise the brutality to the audience, and possible make them unconformable.

Other effects on the audience...

  • claustophobic
  • trapped
  • excited
  • adhrenaline
  • danger
  • anger/disgust
  • fear
  • humour
  • entertainment


Editing Rhythm and 'cutting to soundtrack'


'Cut to' and change of camera angle occur on the beat of the non-diegetic music. Often used in music videos. Rhythm changes from fast to slow, stops, starts...



Slow, quiet start, tempo slow, infrequent cuts, long shot duration.

Increase in tempo as race gets more intense, and closer to the climax. Builds to a crescendo or climax.

Inclusion of ECU show emotions of face. Despair and disappointment for losers, ecstasy and relief for winners. Determination for both.

Meant to put audience in characters' shoes, makes us feel like we participated in the emotions of the race ourselves.


Both change of camera angle AND body language synced with beat of song. As it increases, so does heartbeat and adrenaline.

Motivated or 'continuity editing'


A motivated edit is one that alludes to something not in the frame and then cuts to that item or event. You see it all the time in horror films: a woman is standing in a spooky place all alone and then hears a startling sound. She spins her head around and sees nothing. The sound then comes from another area, and the soon-to-be victim jerks her head in that direction.

Many call the Hollywood style of editing 'continuity editing' - the editing that is least noticeable to the viewer.

The general rule in Hollywood is that the viewer should not notice a single edit, because the edit helps further their understanding of the story.




Montage


Compresses, or denotes passage of time.
Inform the audience.

MONTAGE DEFINITION MUST HAVES
CONDENSE TIME. SUGGEST PASSAGE OF TIME. BACKSTORY.
PREVIOUSLY ON (THEN EVALUATE BAD POINTS)
BEST BITS ON REALITY TV (THEN EVALUATE BAD POINTS)
MOVIE TRAILERS


  • CONDENSE TIME
  • INFORM THE AUDIENCE
  • USED IN FILM
  • USED IN TV AS BEST BITS IN REALITY TV SHOWS OR SPORTS SHOWS
  • USED IN TV AS ‘PREVIOUSLY ON
  • USED IN ALL MOVIE TRAILERS
  • EVAL = OFTEN OVERUSED
  • EVAL = OFTEN PARODIED
  • EVAL = AUDIENCE MEMBERS CAN BECOME DESENSITISED TO THEM

Think of Rocky (1976) and the famous training montage.

That whole sequence could be replaced by a title card reading "After weeks of training, Rocky improved his stamina and perfected his boxing skills."

This short sentence essentially summarizes that 3-minute montage… but which one do you think is more cinematic? Which one would make you have goose bumps?



We learn that the character is...
Poor / working class / represents community.
We learn this because…

Model answer extract...

We learn that the character is potentially poor or from a working class background, and that he represents the community. We learn this from the construction of the setting and location where the scene takes place. Most of the running occurs in a dark, dirty, urban environment. It is also very industrial, which has connotations of hard labour.

Determined / motivated / resilient / positivity / hardworking.
We learn this because…

Improving / endurance.
We learn this because…

Has goals.
We learn this because…

Known in the community / recognised / reputation / respected / charismatic.
We learn this because…

Laid back.
We learn this because…

Loner.
We learn this because…

Don't complain.
We learn this because…
Obsessive.
We learn this because…

Ambitious / successful / achieving / confident.
We learn this because…

Proud.
We learn this because...

Transitions, eg cut, dissolve, fade, wipe


Cut to
Jump cut (see jump cut)
Fade out
Match cut






Wipes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=197&v=7LXQg6t4q2A


Crosscutting / Parallel Editing


Moving between scenes or locations.

Gives an overview of different characters - their emotional reactions.

Generates tension - implies a link or a collision between events and characters.

Empowers the audience - generates the feeling that they have an overview of the situation - gives a godlike view.

Good for foreshadowing - creating enigmas.

Creates variety for the spectator - keeps us engaged.





Assignment 2 - Quality Control Report


Learning outcomes


On completion of this unit a learner should:
  • Be able to prepare moving image material for editing 

Think about...

  • suitability
  • fragment
  • continuity
  • pace
  • rhythm
  • dynamic
  • lens flare
  • focus
  • light issues
  • pixelation
  • fuzziness
  • glare
  • darkness
  • inappropriate
  • people in frame who shouldn't be
  • composition

Model Answers


Pass answer


  • Shot blurry. No good. Don't use.
  • Too boring. Nothing happening.
  • Too long. 
  • Lighting bad.

Merit answer


  • Poor focus. Image quality not enough. Don't use.
  • Not engaging enough. Not enough academic activities on show.
  • Too long, lasts longer than needed. Cut in post production. 
  • Lighting too dark, cant see faces.

Distinction answer


  • Poor focus on close up. Image quality not professional enough for client. Don't use, but re-film.
  • Doesn't engaging target audience. Clip not meeting brief, as the content is not academic enough, and does not show school in engaging way.
  • Too long, lasts longer than needed. Cut at 7 seconds in post production. Use 7 secs until 15 secs. Remove rest.
  • Lighting too underexposed, contrast poor, cant see faces of students, necessary for brief. Reshoot with better lighting.
  • Shot filled with vibrant colours. Has connotations of energy and excitement. Positive for ambience of advert. Makes the client look engaging and attractive to join.

Assignment 3 - Editing


Unit Learning outcomes


On completion of this unit a learner should:
  • Be able to edit moving image material.

HELP:

Premier Pro Tutorials (one focus each week)


HELP:

Importing footage / adding to Timeline


 


HELP:

Scaling to Frame Size


HELP:

Making cuts / Moving Clips

LINK TO AO1


You make cuts using the razor tool, which can be found (usually) in the top left hand corner.  Click on the clip in question, on the timeline, to make a cut.  Then you can interact with the separate sections individually.

HELP:

Adding Music


 Download your song as an .mp3 from YouTube, using Clip Converter.  Ensure your track goes in you Unit 16 folder.  You may need to copy it from your 'Downloads' folder.

Import the .mp3 using the method above, and drag down onto the timeline.

HELP:

Separating unwanted Audio from video clips



Right click on a clip, and select 'unlink' - Make sure you click away, then you can click the audio only, and press delete.



HELP:

Speeding Clips up


Right click on the clip on the timeline.  Go to 'Speed/Duration'


On the next menu, you can either speed up/slow down a clip by changing the percentage, or by manually telling the clip to last a specific period of time.

HELP:

Reversing Clips



Right click on the clip on the timeline.  Go to 'Speed/Duration'


On the next menu, tick the 'Reverse Speed' box.



HELP:

Cutting to soundtrack

LINK TO AO1

MASSIVE OPPORTUNITY TO HIT D3 CRITERIA FIRST TIME ROUND


When creating a sequence with an energetic, upbeat soundtrack, you will probably want to take advantage of a series of particular jump cuts.  This means the edit coincides with the beat of the track, which is called cutting to soundtrack.

This is quite a sophisticated editing technique, and there are some features in Premier to help.

First of all, use 'the mountains' to zoom closer to the timeline.  This will make cutting tracks at a specific point easier.


The next feature is 'unnumbered markers' which will allow you to set a series of markers, at each beat.  Listen to the track first, and set a marker each time you want to make a future edit.  Then go back, and using the razor tool, cut and line up clips with the previously set markers.

HELP:

Adding Effects


There are a range of pre-loaded Effects in Premier Pro.

The best way to explore them, is to look through the Effects Menu, drag them into the clip.  Using trial and error, see what the effect does, and Undo any you don't like.


Manipulate the settings of each Effect in 'Effects Controls'


HELP:

Adding Transitions

LINK TO AO1


There are a range of pre-loaded Transitions in Premier Pro.

The best way to explore them, is to look through the Transitions Menu, drag them onto the end of the clip/s.

Using trial and error, see what the Transition does, and Undo any you don't like.



HELP:

Creating Split Screen Videos


Try this video first, if it doesn't help, additional tutorials will follow in the coming weeks.

HELP:

Creating Titles

I have ran over this one in lesson, but if you need it again, try this video, or give me a shout...



CURRENT CHALLENGE:

Animating moving Titles

MASSIVE OPPORTUNITY TO HIT D3 CRITERIA FIRST TIME ROUND

This is a very dynamic animated title effect that will suit your target audience, and link to Unit 2 AO2 and 3.

I will walk people through this in lesson as one of my tutorials, but for those who want to tackle this ins their own time, here is a video for you to follow...

(he is very dry and bland, so be patient with him!!)


HELP:

Putting Video inside a Title


Additional Tutorial Videos


Any requests, let me know and I will tweet them out!