Script edit Scene 37

After editing Scene 34, we were then given a new script for scene 37. This took place in a reception of a hotel and involved multiple people. After reviewing the script we were show that it is good to image how the scene would look without looking at the rushes. After learning this I wrote down a shot list of how I imagined the scene to look.

Another reason for this edit was to practise watching the rushes and creating a clear storyline from them so that when we produce a rough cut the scene worked.  In this case we looked at, there was more cuts at both the start of the scene and towards the end the scene was relatively simple with just two cameras using over the shoulder shots. 

After doing that we were then given the rushes to look over. In doing so I keep them organized so that editing would become easier. I split the rushes in to different conversations or sections of the script and also into different actors.

A problem that I came across when editing was one of the actors wasn't good with remembering his lines, this lead to a problem with inconsistency when it came to the main edit. This meant that more time had to be spent on the edit to ensure that it made sense and had a good pace. The way in which I did this was to re arrange the script a bit so that some lines where read before they were scripted.

One thing I focused on in this edit was to cut from action, for example when Kath, one of the actors, looked up from her crossword I would cut to what she was looking at. In this edit I also found that doing a rough cut first made the editing process a lot quicker. I managed to get a rough cut done within the lesson and then started to refine it.  Whereas my edit on scene 34 took a lot longer as I tried to shortcut the process. This is a lesson I will be able to take from the exercise, and from now on I will always try to do a full rough edit first.

In conclusion the main skill I learnt form this was to study the script before editing, this includes watching the rushes as well to get a clear idea of what I need to achieve. Another tip that I found helpful was to organise the rushes to make editing the scene easier, this is after I have watched them all in full so I know what is in them. I also learn that with editing I could make pacing how I wanted and that if the actor messes up his lines that it can be fixed to an extent.

Learning Avid Short Cuts

Being able to not only edit well, but to edit quick is a very valuable skill. A way in which to speed up my ability to edit is learning keyboard short cuts. This saves time that builds up and impresses customers and employees. Some of the short cuts I revised where;

Some of the short cuts were easy to learn such as Ctrl + Z/C/V as they are common short cut for different programs. Learning the other short cuts listed was harder as I found the programs layout to be confusing at first. However as I came to learn the layout better and understand what some of the short cuts would be used for. 

Learning the short cuts is important if I want to peruse a job in post-production. This means I will have to use the short cuts more regularly in any edit I have to do, and over time I will become quick and more efficient at editing.

Script edit Scene 34

For this task I had to edit full scene of a film using the raw footage and script to create a narrative piece. This was to test our ability to follow and understand the scene and to edit the clips to visually understand. First thing I had to do was read the script all the way through so when it came to watching the rushes I was able to understand the angles used in production.

After reading the script I then had to watch all the rushes. During this I labelled them so I knew which on was which. Watching all the clips was time consuming but I knew I had to watch them all the way through so I know what I have to use when it comes to editing.

Once I had watched and labelled all the clips I then started to edit. The mistake I made at first which was pointed out by Andy is that I tried to get a perfect edit straight away rather than do a rough edit first to get a better idea. This mistake made it more time consuming and its one that I will try not to do again.

One problem that I encountered when using Avid on the Macs was lost of my footage and edit. I think this was due to saving the edit on the shared data of the computer and it getting deleted to make more room. With this into account I will now try to bring in my external hard drive to save the project onto, this way it can't be messed with.

In terms of how hard the footage to edit was edit I found it quite easy. This was due to the fact that it was a simple two person conversation I just had to edit each of them speaking, some reaction shots and a wide or two to set the scene. The only problem with the raw footage that made it hard to edit was the sound quality was bad and it was filmed on a beach meaning the background sound was hard to control. This lead to me having to fiddle with the levels quite a bit so it was harder to hear the cut. One technique I found that seemed to work was to drop the volume level just before a cut and then increase it after the cut; this gave a similar sound to the waves in the back ground and made it less noticeable.

Overall I was happy with the edit I had created. I ended up using a sound effect that worked really well of a camera focusing and taking shots that fit prefect. The tempo of the edit kept up with the scene dialogue and because of my editing tip the sound worked well. If I was to change anything next time I would have done a quick edit first rather than trying to get it prefect first time.

Surf edit

The first task I was set in the post production module of my course was editing together a surf clip. I was given 7 different clips which I had to watch and edit into a sequence that ran smoothly and catches the attention of those who see it.

This was my first time editing anything before. All my other projects I have done in the past where group based where there was someone who had experience editing before, I had sat with them however to make sure the editing was correct. This meant that I had to use the skill I had learnt so far on Avid to create the piece.

The first thing that I did was watch all the rushes; this was done so I would know what I had to work with. The task was to edit a clip 45 seconds long which was going to be hard with the footage that I had. The edit also needed music which I was given a selection or allowed to use my own. I decided to use on of the songs given. I thought the upbeat tempo fitted well with the clips and it would allow me to cut with the beat of the music.

In the first edit we practiced cutting from motion. This is when you cut to the next clip when something happens in the current clip. We practiced this on the surf clips by creating a 10 second video that followed the rule and that also flowed well. I realized that in two of the Go-Pro shots the sun was in the exact same place, in the exact same time of the flip. This allowed me to edit it together and it turned out really well, the cut was hard to notice and the clip still made sense.

After the practice on the 10 second clip, we had to create our 45 second clip with music. On my first attempt it was too short at a time of about 30 seconds. Also it didn't flow right with many of the cuts out beat with the music. To extend the clip I decide to add a narrative of the surfer traveling along the water for 10 second. This was cut to the music and I thought it worked well. After showing it to Andy he suggested that it needed to catch the watcher attention and maybe I should add an exciting clip straight away to catch the watcher attention. After doing so and with a few cuts cleaned the edit was finished.

Overall I was happy with how my first edit went. watching it after I realised there are some things that could be done better but seeing as it was the first thing I have ever edited I am happy with how it has gone.