Editing Research

Research on Editing 

Editing software

Normally I would use Sony Vegas Pro but seeing as Final Cut Pro was the only available software within the school computers, I had to adapt and research ways to edit, as I was familiar with editing techniques but the methods in which I could achieve these techniques were completely different. Editing research was useful to me , as final cut pro was not an editing software I was familiar with.

Visual effects

A 'fantasy eye effect' on my eye to highlight the 'unknown' essence within the scene. This could have be done via Photoshop for every single frame within the short shot but that would be extremely time consuming, so using Final Cut Pro and I assigned two glossy eyes to some frames which tracked accordingly with the eye. Points were added on my eyelid so that when my eye opened, the glossy eye showed up with it. This ensured that the effect looks realistic and subtle. I found that the close up shot of my eyes coupled with the 'fantasy eye effect' had the most effect on the audience as I had asked several people if it was better with or without the effect and if it should be in a different camera frame.

Flashback

 I also had to research what would be the best way to represent a flashback and found that the 'flash' effect on Final Cut Pro would be the best to show a flashback. I also discovered via editing that a slight change in the colour, saturation and hue would be best to convey a flashback. Near to the end of the scene we thought that it would be most suitable to use quick cut editing using short clips as a montage to increase the tension in cohesion with the music. 

Transitions

The definition of a transition is 'the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another'. In the context of film making, a transition is what the editor shows between 2 shots. The connection of the scenes is the transition. Transition can be the next consecutive scene, or it can be a fade or image change. To create our flashbacks we had to use transitions to change from one scene to another.

Typography

Credits and Typography within our Film Opening

Due to our sequence being the opening scene of a film, we will need to include a set of opening credits

via GIPHY

The Credits

Before starting our typography, we made a draft list of all the credits. To find out an appropriate order for the credits we watched a few film openings to record how the credits are shown. The list runs as follows:

• A Twisted Pictures Production
• Directed by...
• Produced by...
• Edited by...
• Screenplay by...
• Casting by...
• Costuming and Make Up by...
• Director of Photography - 
• Music by...

The Typography

We wanted to use typography that was clear, attractive and professional.

Eventually we settled on this style - it is simple and clear. We wanted to avoid cliche horror fonts with blood drops and special effects, as we wanted a more understated font to gently compliment the visuals on screen.

The Animation

We wanted our text to have a flickering effect. Initially, we did not know how to get such an effect, so we researched on the internet to see if there were any online applications to download animated text. After an unsuccessful search, we decided to create the font manually. To do this, we created multiple layers of the text and resized each one, flipping some of them upside-down or at an angle. Once we had created this multi-layered text we simply spliced each of them to be visible for only a short time (a fraction of a second). When viewed in normal speed, this gives the effect of flickering.

A still image of some of the rotated text.

Use of Photoshop within our Project

Use of Photoshop within our Project

For the film logo, I used Photoshop and DaFont for the text available. The logo initially consisted of the writing only but after some serious consideration, another addition was needed so the symbolic image of Jesus Christ was added. The 'T' in 'The Crypt' seemed the most suitable place for the image to go as the 'T' is very similar to the cross of Jesus Christ and seeing as the whole of the project is about Jesus Christ and stigmata, it was deemed suitable. 

The first image did not fit so I had to use photoshop on the image and use the warp tool to stretch the arms and legs so that it would fit on the whole of the 'T'. To maintain professionalism the black background within some of the text had some white in it which contrasted which disrupted the consistency of the colours. 

For the shot above 'The Crypt' logo, there is what is called a 'fantasy eye effect' on my eye to highlight the 'unknown' essence within the scene. This could have be done via photoshop for every single frame within the short shot but that would be extremely time consuming, so using Final Cut Pro and I assigned two glossy eyes to some frames which automatically moved with the eye. Points were added on my eyelid so that when my eye opened, the glossy eye showed up with it. This ensured that the effect looks realistic and subtle.

Arrangement of our Film Opening

Problems with the Arrangement of our Film Opening

After filming the entirety of our footage, we began to edit our sequence following our storyboard. We  arranged the sequence starting with the cellar scenes, with the Church scenes featuring as flashbacks.

However, we began to notice that the narrative was unclear, as we struggled to highlight how the Church scenes are in fact merely visions. To solve this, we played around with moving the Church scenes to the very start of the sequence. This gave a completely different feel to the piece, yet didn't help much with the narrative clarity.

We then decided to try again with using the Church scenes as visions appearing later on in the sequence, using different techniques to clarify the nature of the scene. One method we used was using a blurring transition between scenes of reality and flashback. Although this increased the clarity, the transitions themselves looked unprofessional and amateur. We agreed on the fact that cleaner, simpler transitions are of a better aesthetic standard.

Finalising our arrangement is an ongoing process, and one which will require much thought from our team.

Media Techniques

Media Techniques

Match on action: 

Match on action is a term used to identify a technique which is commonly used within film production. It is created during the editing process where one shot cuts to another portraying a movement creating a sense on continuity. The shots should be cut seamlessly as though the viewers attention is not drawn to the cuts but to the continuous movement. The shot should seem fluid and mask the cut. One of the most common examples of match on action occurs when someone passes through a door and an example of this is below:

180 degree rule:

The 180 degree rule occurs when all filming only takes place in the 180 degrees which is maintained one side of the object. The camera remains on one side of the 180 degree axis for the entire scene. An imaginary line should be drawn perpendicular to the cameras viewpoint when establishing the scene but must remain on this side throughout. Is often used in conversation scenes where several over the shoulder shots will occur to really engage the audience within the conversation. 

 

Shot, reverse shot: 

The shot reverse shot usually enties with the 180 degree rule in order to maintain the sense of contituity by not distorting or confusing the view of the audience. It is an editing techniques where a shot is shown of one person looking at the second person and then a second shot shows the reverse of this where the second person is then looking at the first.