Editing Research
Old school-New school way of editing
Editing remarkably has become easier
You can do more complex work with doing less
-Safer as in easier to rectify the mistakes
-Change multiple aspects of your film
-More technological efficient & cost efficient
We are able to create and spread our ideologies.
What is Film Editing?
A microelement of film making.
The activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film.
Film editing is now something almost everyone can do at a simple level and enjoy it,but to take it to a higher level requires the same dedication and persistence that any art form does.
-Walter Murch
The editing team
Walter Murch
An American film editor and sound designer.
Famous work on Apocalypse Now, The Godfather I, II, and III, American Graffiti, The Conversation, and The English Patient,
-Three Academy award wins
He has been referred to as "the most respected film editor and sound designer in the modern cinema.
Rythym in editing is important.
Stated in the first part of the talk by Walter Murch talking about Editing in general.
WALTER MURCH AND THE ‘RULE OF SIX’ – FILM EDITING
The Rule of Six
1.3D Space – is the cut true to the action?
2. Rhythm - Does the cut occur rhythmically sound?
3. Emotion – Does the cut reflect the reaction
4. Story - Does the cut advance the story?
5. Eye Trace - Does the cut follow the audiences eye focus?
6. 2D Plane of Screen -Does the cut follow the 180 degree rule?
The importance of the Walter Murch's 6 criteria of film editing
Who is in control of the film editing and what is the most important aspect according to Walter Murch and why?
The person in control of the film editing is the film editor followed by the data manager,VFX supervisor,colorist,editors assistant and trainees. According the Rule of Six theory by Walter Murch the most important aspects in film editing with 51% is Emotion.Telling the emotion of the story is the single most important part when it comes to editing. When we make a cut we need to consider if that edit is true to the emotion of the story.It is important to consider if the cut is distracting the audience from the emotion of the story, Murch believes that emotion “is the thing that you should try to preserve at all costs”,
Types of editing (Film Production)
1.Continuity Editing
A system of cutting used to maintain a continuous and clear narrative action by following a set of rules.
Examples of continuity editing:
2.Radical Subjective Continuity/Dis-Continuity/Disjunctive editing
Cuts of different time and space for dramatic effect.
Spatial and temporal discontinuity. The established continuity editing rules are not followed. This can also be called ‘Visible’ editing; editing that calls attention to itself and violates the viewers expectations of continuity.
Examples from movies:
The Graduate
Breathless
3.Classical Editing
First popularized by D.W. Griffith, is used to draw viewers into the emotional content of the scene. This style jumps from ‘the master shot’ (long/wide shot), to the medium shot and then close ups
to draw the audience psychologically closer
for dramatic effect.
This style is achieved through ‘coverage’ (the process in which a scene is filmed from a variety of angles, for example ‘eye line match’ – if we see an actor refer to something off scree, this object is filmed through ‘cutaways’ – coverage of items or actions. ‘Matched action’ – cuts happen during a major action, this adds emphasis to the action.
4.Thematic or Montage editing
From the French, Monter, meaning to assemble. MONTAGE, capitalizes on our brain’s ability to associate ideas. Edits that are driven by a particular theme, it is often a rapid sequence of shots designed to elicit feelings or call upon common experiences. The cuts are motivated by a connection of ideas, not by continuity of time and space. It could be used to show the passing of time.
Example from the movie "Hot Fuzz"
5.Soviet Montage theory
Montage is associated with Soviet cinema 1920’s, film makers especially Lev Kuleshov, V.I Pudovkin and Sergei Eistenstein.
Kuleshov’s famous experiment, which was later termed ‘The Kuleshov effect’ was a breakthrough in understanding and producing films.
The Kuleshov effect
It is a mental phenomenon by which viewers derive more meaning from the interaction of two sequential shots than from a single shot in isolation.
For instance:
Example from the" Wolf of Wall Street"
In this scene it is seen as if Leonardo Di Caprio is sort of having sympathy and being mournful for his damaged Lamborghini.
However,on this scene having the doughnut instead of the damaged Lamborghini completely changes the meaning and context of the scene.It instead suggests that Leonardo is being hungry looking at the doughnut.
Associative/abstract editing
Once again stemming from the ‘Kuleshov effect’ Associative and abstract editing focuses on a juxtaposition of two shots that when combined have meaning (but separate, they do not).
5 Methods of Montage
What type of editing do you want to use in your media product and why?
The montage editing as it enables stories to be connected from different scenarios and makes the audience use the viewers derive more meaning from the interaction of two sequential shots than from a single shot in isolation-according to the Soviet montage rule.
Audiences may find it easier to understand the story of the film through the montage editing technique.
It may also makes the audiences watching experience highly active and be able to engage thoughts on different scenes.
Requiem for a Dream-Hip Hop Montage
-Effectively use the Metric montage editing technique to cut the shots in the beat
-Intensifying the scenes-in terms of emotions
-Being combined correctly creates meaning to the scenes-Rythmic
-Metric montage-editing and changing paces to the beat is satisfying so it gratifies the audience
-Vicariously gives the audience a drug trip
Watch the following ‘Battleship Potemkin’ clip and evaluate how effectively the meaning is communicated through the editing?
Battleship Potemkin
(Cossacks-Russian Revolution)
The classical and montage editing was used effectively to show how big and vital the situation in the scene was and at the same time create a very emotional charge scene.Classical editing refers to an editing style jumps from ‘the master shot’ or the long shot to the medium shot and then close ups to draw the audience psychologically closer for dramatic effect. Through out the clip there have been several shots at the stairs location coming back and forth quite many times so, we could also say that is contains elements of montage editing which is a technique in film editing in which a series of short shots are edited into a sequence to condense space, time, and information.The repetition of the scenes at the stairways while gradually changing the frame size from close up to mid shot and mid shot to long shot every time the stairway is shown links in with the rules/elements of classical editing, the idea of "master shot",however, in an opposite way of engaging the transitions edit from close up shot first rather the long shot,therefore,it may be called a reverse master shot instead.Doing this also allows the audience to look at a bigger picture of the film since being able to look at the stairs slowly at a greater size reveals more number deaths and people being affected around the atmosphere which even enhance more feelings of danger and tension to the audience(making them see how vital the incident was) ,allowing them to observe more minor details of the surroundings.
Moreover,the idea being threatened and overpowered by the soldiers is also shown by using the rhythmic and intellectual montage editing methods.A shot in the middle on the clip shows a scene where the woman was carrying her wounded child to speak and ask for sympathy at the soldiers.The woman was looking up to something in the scene with shadows of group of armed men shining strongly on above her.This suggests clearly to the audience the shadows were from the soldiers,although we couldn't see them but we can figure out from our common sense and the previous montage of the soldiers carrying out violent actions before.Having the shadows above the woman implies the idea of that the soldiers were totally above her in terms of power and little could be done as she is so much weaker.Not only that, the idea of just showing the shadows of the soldiers can be an effective way of implanting the mindset of dehumanization of soldiers to the audience since with shadows on the soldiers only no facial expressions or feelings could be seen or created whereas, the normal people expressions of terror and anxiety can still be seen and passed on to the audience. Therefore, shadows may suggest that the soldiers were dehumanized and have no feelings as they proceeds to kill people and follow their tasks like nothing happens.
Notes from the video:
-Repitition of shots from the same scenes
-Shots at the kid being stepped on
-Montage technique -eye linking the objective of the character-makes sense
-Shots walking against
-continuity editing
-Classical editing reverse master shot
-Discontinuity editing
-Montage-cutting to other actions
-Dehumanizing -soldiers with shadow
-soldiers being above
-classical and montage -highlighting the tension
Watch the following ‘Battleship Potemkin’ clip and evaluate how effectively the meaning is communicated through the editing?
Editing "Insecurity" Process
1st Assembly
Feedback
WWW
- Some really well joined cuts - flow of rhythm
- Use of Russian Montage editing technique
- Good switch between cityscape and characters
EBI
-Better flow between scenes
-Continuous and easier to understand flow of edits
- Use of "Fade in " and "Fade Out"
-Order/sequences of shots
-Merge between scenes - use slopes
- Some scenes were too long and too short
-Too many views
First Cut (2nd edit) - (Draft)
Feedback
From Peer & Mr.Simpson
WWW:
-Like not seeing too much of their faces
-Great shots
-Good pace
-Maintaining the same mood
-Much better flow and rhythm of the film
-Continuity/Smooth flow of the story
-Better connections/joining scenes
EBI:
-Credits
-Worms eye view on car scene
-Camera could be seen in the first shot
Insecurity Commentary - Editing
I made a commentary on my As Media product "Insecurity" in terms of Editing.
Final Edit
Sound
List all the sound you can hear from the following E.T clip
-Dialogue
-Sound effects
-Background music
What is film sound?
A micro element of film making.It uses the audiences sense of hearing (aural).
Sound refers to everything we hear in a movie e.g. words,sound effects and music.
It can be used to build or heighten up a mood,possibly providing information about the location,advancing the plot and tell more about the characters in the story.
Quote
"Sound and sound design has always been very important to my approach to film, because it is a more subversive and allusive aspect of the medium".
-Larry Fessenden
"Sound will make or break your film!"
-Dan Simpson
The two main categories of a film sound
Digetic:
Refers to all those audio elements that come from sources inside the world we see on the screen. It is basically everything the characters hear.
From the previous E.T all the dialogues and sound effects such as birds and water noises would be considered digetic because it is what the characters inside the movie hears.
Non-Digetic:
Refers to all those audio elements that come from outside of the fictional world we see on screen. Everything the audience hears but the characters do not. *Includes the musical score and sound effects.
The three aspects of sound
1.Sound effects
2.Music
3.Spoken Words
1. Sound effects
It sets a mood and a theme to the film outlining on how intense the atmosphere and the situation is.
What sound effects can you alter in film?
You can adjust the volume of the sound effects to create a certain mood.
Not only the volume but the tempo and pitch can also be adjusted too.
Meaning high-pitched and low-pitched sounds communicate
High-pitched sounds e.g. screams or squealing tires can help to create a sense of anxiety to the scene.
Low-pitched sounds e.g. the sounds of waves or the swinging of a door -can be used to create a sense of calm or mystery.
Silence - It can grab the audience’s attention to highlight some action or change in story direction.
-Building intensity
-Foreshadow impending doom
Moreover, the dialogue sound of the characters e.g. tone and pitch + momentum of their words can conveys different meaning and mood to the scenes.Talking about the volume/pitch if the character speaking decides to lower their voice or starts talking as if they're whispering it can grabs the audiences attention since low volume voices makes you want to use more concentration and focus more on what the talkers trying to say.
This technique was referenced from this video from the Ted talks:
The great momentum of and tone of voice used by Kevin Spacey + mild intensifying soundtrack in this iconic scene from The Usual Suspects grabs the audience attention although it's just a scene of a person talking on a couch.
2. Music
Listen to the following clip of music from movies and write how you feel
1. sad,emotional and important moment showing relationships
2. Strong and greatness nature E.T
3.Majestic,big something magical-Empire of the Sun
4. mysterious ,wants to find out more - Harry Potter
5.Intense ,somethings about to happen,Danger and anxiety
6. Superman - Epic and Big Majestic force
7.Detailed - very heart touching,sadness and sorrow,Beautifully Tragic
8.Indiana Jones-Brave,Good side
9.Start wars - Epic , big force ,many things have happened
10. Jurrasic Park- Calm and gentle - Ending
The name of the movies and their genre from the clip
1. Saving Private Ryan (War Drama)
2. E.T. (Sci Fi Fantasy)
3. Empire of the Sun (War Drama)
4. Harry Potter (Fantasy Drama)
5. Jaws (Action, Thriller, Horror)
6. Superman (Action, Adventure, Fantasy)
7. Schindler’s List (War, Historical Drama)
8. Indiana Jones (Action Adventure)
9. Star Wars (Sci Fi, Fantasy, Action)
10. Jurassic Park (Sci Fi, Fantasy, Action)
What does Music do?
Music can be used to create several effects in a movie. One of the most obvious way is using music scores to guide the emotional response of the audience. It enables filmmaker to convey how the audience should react on a certain scenes.
-To guide the emotional response of the audience
-Foreshadow upcoming events
-Sets a certain mood
-Affects how you view the movie
-Used to shape the ethnic or cultural context of a film.
3. Spoken Words
Other than giving giving dialogue in a movie.
Two of the more interesting ways the spoken word can shape a movie are through voice-overs and by providing subtext to a scene.
Voice-overs
A production technique where a voice—that is not part of the narrative (non-diegetic)—is used in a radio, television production, filmmaking, theatre, or other presentations.
-often read from a script and may be spoken by someone who appears elsewhere in the production
Typically used to provide background to a story or to help move a story from one set of events to another. If used well, they can be unobtrusive(not conspicuous or attracting attention).
However,if used poorly, voice-overs can often seem like “the voice of god”, bringing forth wisdom audiences are supposed to accept unquestioningly.
E.g. Shawshank Redemption (clip with voice-overs example)
Subtext
An implicit (hidden) meaning standing behind the language we actually hear.
Subtext can also refer to the thoughts and motives of the characters which are only covered in an aside.
From our own personal conversations we all know that there is often a subtext to the words we hear.
Example: (Movie scenes with subtext)
Despite, my short film opening not having any dialogue as we planned to use actions,objects and music to convey meaning and create a luxurious/solitude mood.We may add more non-digetic background music to intensifies some certain scenes and possibly use more nature noises to create an authentic feels/mood which vicariously makes the audience feel isolated like the characters + grabs their attention.
Sound Editing "Insecurity" Process
Sound effects
List Sound Effects
These are the list of sound effects we used in our final film.Many of it involves water and crashing waves sounds as wanted connotates the antagonist (the wife) emotions feelings with the elements of water.
water droplets sound
Waves sound
waves crashing sound
Coffee shop sound
Insecurity - Sound Editing
1st Assembly
Feedback
WWW:
Using natural sound in some scenes
EBI:
-incontinuous sounds between scenes
-Some are muted while some are not
-Sounds very rough in some parts
-Different levels of sound- unpleasent to listen
-Music not added
-Add sound effects
-Use color Fade in and Fade out
Edit 1
www:
-Smoother sounds
-Similar levels of sound
-More continuous sound change
-Suitable music
-Good use of sound effects on suicidal and bird scenes
EbI:
-Sound at the beginning
-Use more sound effects
-Use some the nature elements eg. wind fire sounds to blend in with wife's mood/emotions
Edits after the Feedback
Sound Edit 1
Sound Edit 2
Soundtrack
soundtrack Draft list
These are some of the soundtracks we thought were nice to be included either in the beginning or the the end of the film opening. We chose most of them to create a certain mood of solitude, high class lifestyle and the emotional feelings of the character.
Ryuichi Sakamoto - Amore (Playing The Orchestra 2013)
Ryuichi Sakamoto - Blu (Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra)
The Bygone Days - Porco Rosso (Joe Hisaishi)
We are decided to use jazz song in particular as it can create that high deluxe/rich mood to the scenes and the protagonist's character,a solitude and calm mood is also built up into the scenes which vicariously makes the audience slowly deeply feel mysterious and anxious.
Here is the choice of selection on the music we might use in the first part of outr film opening.
The kind of jazz will be mostly "blues" as it is the type i usually listens to most.
Bill Evans & Chet Baker - The Legendary Sessions (1959 Album)
Ryo Fukui - Scenery 1976 (FULL ALBUM)
Miles Davis - Relaxin' with Miles Davis Quintet full album
In the end we chose the song "Almost Blue" by Chet Baker as it suits in perfectly with our scenes and also provides that mood of richness and solitude to the protagonist's character.
Insecurity Commentary - Sound
I made a commentary on my short film opening "Insecurity" in terms of Sound.
Final mix of all sounds