Anna Rockall Level 3 Media Production

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This trailer for 'The Artist' uses fades throughout.  Because fades are a very soft way of editing, they can echo the romance and vintage elements of this film.  

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Rules of Editing- 11/10/12

http://desktopvideo.about.com/od/desktopediting/tp/editrules.htm

1. B-Roll   The footage that adds up the detail or sets the scene, this footage can be used to cut up A-roll footage, by cutting away to B-roll footage. It can also add detain and put the narrative in context. 

2.  Don't Jump   Jumping will happen when part of the footage is cut out, and when it is played out continuously there is a jump, because there will be a difference in the shot (maybe the character has moved slightly).   B-roll footage can be used to separate the footage or fading or other transitions.

3. Stay on Your Plane footage should be filmed along the 180 degree rule, however if this hasn't happened using cut aways to B-rolls can help.  

4. 45 Degree Rule If an object has been shot from multiple camera angles. when editing avoid putting shots that have a difference in the camera angle smaller that 45 degrees. Other wise it may appear like a jump cut because the shots would look too similar.

5. Cut on Motion if an object or person has been filmed in motion, cutting to another object that is in motion will look smoother than cutting to an object that is stationary.

6. Change Focal Length. When filming changing the focal length will allow, when editing, cuts to be made yet still avoiding jump cuts by changing from different focal lengths.  

7. Cut on Similar Elements Similar images can be cut together to make transitions smoother. Even though the scenes may be very different, because the images have similarities, the transition seems smother because it is somehow connected. 

8. Wipes If something moves past the camera, this can be used to cut to a  different piece of footage. Taking advantage of the moment the camera lens is blocked.

9. Match the Scene This is keeping the continuity, to make sure the narrative can be followed by the audience.  i.e a character walking out of the frame on the left will enter another from the left, because that is how logically it should happen. 

10. Motivate Yourself There should be a reason for the editing. It should help advance the narrative and emotions and feelings of the piece.

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Montage- 04/10/12 Used by Sergei Eisenstein in his 1925 film Battleship Potemkin. Images used are of different shot types and angles and don't necessarily follow a story line completely, they are used to create a feeling, in this case panic and chaos. Other montages can be used to shorten time frames, a Classic example is in 'Rocky' where we see his varying training regime in a short amount of time, and we somewhat track his improvement.  

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Cross Cutting- 04/10/12 Similar to parellel editing is used to build suspense. There is also something linking the two pieces of action (the T.V report).  

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Parellel Editing- 04/10/12 This is a clip from silence of the lambs, it shows parallel editing. It is used to show the audience two pieces of action that are going on at the same time. This particular example of parallel editing is also used to mislead the audience,and make them think that the action is taking place around the same house.

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Continuity Editing- 04/10/12 Continuity editing should go unnoticed by the audience, the editing should be clean and smooth, and tell the story. In order to do this, some rules should be followed.  The 180 Degree rule (Top): This means that the action is only filmed on one side of the action and shouldn't cross the 'invisible line' because if done so the images will look back to front, this can confuse the position of the characters, and will be noticeable for the audience. the other rule that is usually followed os the Eye-line Match (Bottom): With this we usually see a character looking of the side of the shot and in the next shot we see what the are looking at, if it is another character then we usually see the image mirrored.  

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1903 - The History of Editing This film shows an advancement in both editing and use of shot types. At 0:33 we can see a cut to a close up shot, varying from the other shots used in early films which are usually long shots. At 1:00 there is an early example of continuity editing.  Parallel editing however is not used and at around 4:35 the action from the shot before is shown again, rather than cut between. 

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1896 - The History of Editing. 'The Kiss' was a film made in 1896.  It is one continuous shot, lasting only a few seconds. The camera angles do not vary and there is no use of editing.  

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Camera Techniques- 21/09/12

Shot Types

Long Shot (L/S)  Usually shows the whole body of a character, and their surroundings. The audience can see the character, their actions, and in the context of the surroundings.

Close up (C/U) The audience can see more of the details of what's happening. Tells the audience what to focus on; a characters emotions, a significant object est.

Medium Shot (M/S) Usually of half the characters body. Allows the audience to still see the actions, but in more detail.

Extream Close Up (E/C/U)  Can draw the audiences attention to something. Perhaps something that might other wise be missed. A common example of this shot is an Extream Close Up of a characters eyes, this allows the audience to depict the characters emotions.

Establishing shot Can be used to set the scene and tone.

Over the shoulder Usuallyused to depict characters on a conversation.

Tracking Shot The camera moves with the character.

Point of View Shot from the point of view of the character, puts the audience in the characters shoes. 

Angle shots Low Angle- High status. High Angle- Low Status. 

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Single Camera Production- 21/09/12

Working with one camera: Usually used with films, rather than multi camera productions. Multi cameras are usually used in studio based filming, e.g. talk shows, sit coms est. 

Limitations of single camera production:- Continuity. Not being able to shot a scene from different angles, and having to shot the same scene over again.  Time efficiently. Not being able to shot at different scenes at the same time.    Benefits of single camera production:- Can be more particular with shots. Can change lighting est. between shots.  More freedom with movement of the camera.  

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Single Camera Production- 21/09/12

Health and Safety lesson:

 Only handle lights with gloves.

Make sure the jib is in a safe place, and out of the way when not in use.

Cables: plugged in to nearest socket. taped down on the floor. coiled correctly and put aside when not in use. 

Drinks to be kept away from filming area.

Chairs stacked properly and to the side.

Working area to be clear as much as possible.

Camera to be fitted properly onto tripod mount. 

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Purpose of Editing- 20/09/2012

When moving image films first started, editing did not exist. Films where a continuous shot. When the novelty of the moving images was over people became board of what they were viewing; they where things they could be viewing in reality instead. Edwin Porter was the first person to start editing and intercutting. Editing became such an important development in film, because it enabled the audience to engage with the film. there were not put off by long boring shots, and the film makers where able to organise a story more. 'The Life of an American Fireman' was a film made in 1903 by Edwin Porter.  Porter was able to use intercutting, though perhaps not to the degree we see today, the editing still enabled the film to move more quickly, and cut to the different stages of the situation (in this case firemen being called to the scene of a fire).  Steven Spielberg spoke of the editing in 'Jaws', he said how he was reluctant to cut the film, because it was hard to see something that he worked so hard on being shortened by the editing process, however he also commented on the importance of editing saying that a few frames was the difference between the shark in jaws looking scary or like 'a floating turd'. 

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Critical Approches-

This films target audience will be males aged between 15-30. The certificate is a 15, therefore we know immediately that people younger than this would not be expected to watch this film. The comedy is quite crude which stereotypically would appeal to a young male audience. This is similar to Family Guy which has the same target audience, and saying that it is from the makers of Family Guy would then mean that they are appealing to their target audience./span>

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Critical Approches 18/09/2012- Audiences

we looked at a brief overview of the critical approaches lessons, and spoke about audiences.

Ways to categorise target audiences. e.g. age, gender, class, common interests est.

Ways to ingage a target audience- they ways in which posters and films appeal to their audiences. 

we also spoke about films that already have an audience to appeal to. e.g re-makes.  

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Me...

I am currently studying Media, because of my love of the film and TV industry and my more specific interest in script writing. I love writing scripts for both Theatre and film/TV. My interest in scripts came about by  studying scripts in drama lessons and preforming original scripts in festivals in Bedford Cambridge and Welwyn.