As we all know, editing is a huge part in what makes a film or scene successful. But we do not simply get given the footage after it has been filmed and then begin editing, we have to plan the edit.
Traditionally, to edit a minute of screen time takes around about an hour, this gives us an estimated time as to when the film will be complete and enables us to inform the directors and producers.
A shot list should be provided, a detailed description of every shot, including camera movement. Storyboards are also a very useful thing to have as an editor whilst completing the edit, it gives you more of a sense of what the overall film should look like.
This process is vital when planning films, it is what enables us to get the pace, feel and edits right in pre-production.
Wednesday, 11 February 2015
Thursday, 5 February 2015
Chase Scene
After reviewing and watching numerous different chase scenes and looking specifically at the different techniques used such as different camera angles and style of editing, I then used all this knowledge to create my own chase scene.
https://vimeo.com/118410113
I felt the chase scene produced was a success in terms of showing the audience how a typical chase scene should look, however, there were numerous areas that could've been improved, in terms of Pre-Production, Production and Post Production.
I feel as though the start worked really well to set up the chase scene. The music was very jolly and accompanied the images in such a way that showed the audience this was just an ordinary day. Following Tzvetan Todorov's narrative theory, this is the 'equilibrium'. The editing is fast and choppy whilst the character is making his cup of tea, adding a nice move to the edit.
Then the disruption of the equilibrium comes into play, as another character is introduced and tells the original character to stop using his milk. With the usage of a small montage and a bit of humour, we are shown that the character does in fact refuse and continues to use his milk up until the point he is caught in the act for the final time and is chased.
With this being very light hearted so far, the sudden change in mood as the chaser bursts through the door as a very dramatic orchestral soundtrack accompanies it is quite a contrast, it adds to the humour. The chase scene then begins, even though the kitchen we shot the opening scene in is on the bottom floor, we still wanted to use as many different areas as possible, so we thought including the stairs could be quite effective, starting off with a slow motion shot of the 'chasee' jumping down the first set of stairs. As the chasee bursts out the door to the outside, I decided to cut to motion and create a seamless edit, I feel this worked really well as it feels completely natural. I held the shot as the chaser came rushing out the door too, to show the distance between them.
We tried to use a variety of shots throughout the sequence, which is why our next shot is quite a low angled long shot, as both characters come out the door you can only see the bottom halves of their bodies, but it once again allows the audience some knowledge of the distance between them. Our first point of view shot was then introduced, once again adding a bit of variety to the edit, I feel as though the audio should've been slightly quiet with this particular shot though, as the stomping of the feet by the camera man is quite predominant. Allowing us to keep a nice quick pace to the edit, I used very quick shots/edits, like with the next shot as the two characters come around the corner, as the camera is focussed on the wall.
The edit then becomes driven by the music, cutting with the beat is a really creative way of editing and allows the audience to be really drawn in as the music creates tension. Once again to the humour the edit and giving it a bit of variation was using a tracking shot as the chasee weaves in and out of the trees completely unnecessarily. I felt the tracking shot of the close up of both characters feet shortly after worked really well and allowed the audience to see something slightly new and keep them engaged.
I felt the ending worked really well, it was a funny and entertaining conclusion to what some may consider quite a dramatic chase scene. I felt the wide variety of different shots used throughout made this scene entertaining for the audience, and also the rather quick pace to the editing. However, more locations could've been used to make this even better, and also more events taking place throughout, as this does become quite boring in places as we are literally just watching two characters run around a university. Lots of pro's and cons to this scene, however I feel overall it was a success.
https://vimeo.com/118410113
I felt the chase scene produced was a success in terms of showing the audience how a typical chase scene should look, however, there were numerous areas that could've been improved, in terms of Pre-Production, Production and Post Production.
I feel as though the start worked really well to set up the chase scene. The music was very jolly and accompanied the images in such a way that showed the audience this was just an ordinary day. Following Tzvetan Todorov's narrative theory, this is the 'equilibrium'. The editing is fast and choppy whilst the character is making his cup of tea, adding a nice move to the edit.
Then the disruption of the equilibrium comes into play, as another character is introduced and tells the original character to stop using his milk. With the usage of a small montage and a bit of humour, we are shown that the character does in fact refuse and continues to use his milk up until the point he is caught in the act for the final time and is chased.
With this being very light hearted so far, the sudden change in mood as the chaser bursts through the door as a very dramatic orchestral soundtrack accompanies it is quite a contrast, it adds to the humour. The chase scene then begins, even though the kitchen we shot the opening scene in is on the bottom floor, we still wanted to use as many different areas as possible, so we thought including the stairs could be quite effective, starting off with a slow motion shot of the 'chasee' jumping down the first set of stairs. As the chasee bursts out the door to the outside, I decided to cut to motion and create a seamless edit, I feel this worked really well as it feels completely natural. I held the shot as the chaser came rushing out the door too, to show the distance between them.
We tried to use a variety of shots throughout the sequence, which is why our next shot is quite a low angled long shot, as both characters come out the door you can only see the bottom halves of their bodies, but it once again allows the audience some knowledge of the distance between them. Our first point of view shot was then introduced, once again adding a bit of variety to the edit, I feel as though the audio should've been slightly quiet with this particular shot though, as the stomping of the feet by the camera man is quite predominant. Allowing us to keep a nice quick pace to the edit, I used very quick shots/edits, like with the next shot as the two characters come around the corner, as the camera is focussed on the wall.
The edit then becomes driven by the music, cutting with the beat is a really creative way of editing and allows the audience to be really drawn in as the music creates tension. Once again to the humour the edit and giving it a bit of variation was using a tracking shot as the chasee weaves in and out of the trees completely unnecessarily. I felt the tracking shot of the close up of both characters feet shortly after worked really well and allowed the audience to see something slightly new and keep them engaged.
I felt the ending worked really well, it was a funny and entertaining conclusion to what some may consider quite a dramatic chase scene. I felt the wide variety of different shots used throughout made this scene entertaining for the audience, and also the rather quick pace to the editing. However, more locations could've been used to make this even better, and also more events taking place throughout, as this does become quite boring in places as we are literally just watching two characters run around a university. Lots of pro's and cons to this scene, however I feel overall it was a success.
Wednesday, 28 January 2015
Cut To The Chase
Post production and editing is a huge part in the film industry, but how do we edit? When do we know the appropriate time to cut enabling us to create a seamless edit?
Walter Murch's 6 editing rules:-
1. Emotion - Does the cut reflect what the editor believes the audience should be feeling at that moment? Is it emotionally true to the story and character arc?
2. Story - Does the cut advance the story?
3. Rhythm - Does the cut occur at a moment that is rhythmical correct and/or interesting?
4. Eye-trace - Does the cut pay respect to the location and movement of the audience’s focus of interest within the frame?
5. 2-Dimensional Place - Is the cut true to the 2D representation of the film world?
6. 3-Dimensional Space - Is the cut true to the physical/spatial relationships within the diegesis?
Walter Murch's 6 editing rules:-
1. Emotion - Does the cut reflect what the editor believes the audience should be feeling at that moment? Is it emotionally true to the story and character arc?
2. Story - Does the cut advance the story?
3. Rhythm - Does the cut occur at a moment that is rhythmical correct and/or interesting?
4. Eye-trace - Does the cut pay respect to the location and movement of the audience’s focus of interest within the frame?
5. 2-Dimensional Place - Is the cut true to the 2D representation of the film world?
6. 3-Dimensional Space - Is the cut true to the physical/spatial relationships within the diegesis?
1. Never make a cut without
a positive reason “The only reason for using another cut is to improve
the scene.”
2. Whenever possible cut 'in movement' "Creating a ‘diversion’ of sorts … is also the principle at
work in the action cut." The goal is seamless, invisible, 'magical' editing.
This is not possible without the greatest command of timing; timing that comes
from an understanding of human perception and eye movement.
3. The fresh is preferable
to the stale 'In art, the obvious is a sin.' Edward Dmytryk suggests that if frames
must be added between shots, do so at the beginning of a fresh, new shot so
that the viewer accepts the lingering frames as part of exposition for a new
angle or shot.
4. All scenes should begin
and end with continuing action. "Subconsciously suggest to the viewer that he is
seeing a fragment of continuing life, not a staged scene with a visible
framework." In other words, enter after it started leave before it finishes.
5. Cut for proper values
rather than proper matches. "The film’s dramatic requirements should
always take precedence over the mere aesthetics of editing." Continuity is not
the most important aspect of editing.
6. Substance first – then
Form "Technical skill counts for nothing if it is used only to manufacture
films which have little to do with humanity."
Chase Scenes: Montage or Not?:-
Point Break:-
This on foot chase scene is possibly one of the greatest chase scenes of all filming history, the reason for this is because it works. The flow of the scene is to perfection, not over complicated, keeps constant tension and informs the audience of the distance between the two characters throughout.
The scene begins with a 'tussle' between our two characters. As one manages to break free of the fight, he begins to sprint away, this is when the music kicks in and us an audience realise instantly that what we are about to witness is a chase scene. As the runner comes around the corner, a long shot is used and he is running toward the camera, behind him appears the man chasing him, by using this shot we are able to see the distance between the two characters and get a vague idea of how close he is to being caught.
The two runners then sprint down a tight alley, a point of view shot is used by the chaser so we can once again see the distance between the two. Using a point of view shot during a chase scene can be really effective as we are put into the characters shoes, the movement of the camera really enables us to become engrossed in the scene.
Throughout the rest of the scene, the two characters are almost separated. We are shown clips of the man being chased running and jumping over obstacles and causing problems for the man chasing him, the shot would then cut to the man chasing him as we then watch him follow the same route and path in which the other man has just done. The use of this cutting back and forth constantly shows the audience that slowly but surely, the chaser is catching up.
So that both characters aren't entirely separated, one or two shots are once again used where the runner is sprinting and jumping over obstacles, and the camera merely turns to show the chaser behind him, long shots similar to the opening long shot are also used just to keep that sense of realism and distance within the scene, and not completely separate the two characters by using cuts.
All these different aspects used together create on overall, smooth flowing, seamless edit, it allows the scene to flow in a way in which the audience can really be drawn in and enjoy the scene. This chase scene is not a montage, it is not driven by the music, and I feel that is a must in terms of a montage.
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