Prelim Post Production Blog + Account of Editing

Storyboard we used for our short film.

- Final Cut server edit Proxy from the server, into final cut pro.

- Log the shots into log bin.

- create new folder - 'Log Bin'

The logged shots are the best shots from each sequence.

'I' for marking in. 'O' for marking out.

-Modify shot, name it, and save it into log bin.

Key terminology to use:

LOG BIN referring to the folder you created to keep your
chosen shots

MODIFY SHOT referring to the function in the MODIFY menu allowing you to rename or label each shot (wide / mid etc)

TIME LINE referring to the layers of either VIDEO or AUDIO which you lay down your shots.

Before arranging the shots, it is necessary to log the shots. This is because the edit proxy is a single video and we need to have each shot individually. To do this we create a new folder to organise our shots in, this is called the ‘Log Bin’. We find the beginning of a particular shot on the main video, selecting the best take of the shot if we have made a few takes, we press the ‘I’ key (in) on the key board to select the point at which our shot begin and press the ‘O’ key (out) to select the point at which our shot ends. We then select ‘modify shot’, give it an appropriate name so we can select the correct shot quickly, and save it into the ‘Log Bin’. We only save the shots into the ‘Log Bin’ that are appropriate for use and free from errors.

To edit our footage, we first access it from the ‘Final Cut Server’, where the rushes had been uploaded from the camera tape. Open the edit proxy (digital copy of the footage) from ‘Final Cut Server’, into ‘Final Cut Pro’ where the editing takes place.

Close up's a dragging attention so the character with most CU's seems to be the main character to the audience. Because Saskia was our good character we gave her the most CU's. The finishing shot is Saskia sniffing the line of cocaine. She is dominating shown during the whole scene and because she is more or less Ben's victim we wanted to be on her side due to the fact she embodies the good.

We had to record our sound seperately in the sound-proofed room ......................

Premilinary Task Evaluation

Location

We undertook the task of filming our preliminary task. The location we filmed in was room NO4, although it was limited in terms of facilities, we managed to create a setting that resembled a drug addict’s home or basement.
We set up a table with various different objects on it such as a line of fake cocaine, a rolled up £20 note, a gun and a table light. I played quite an active role during the filming, we worked as a team, and making sure we each contributed in all areas at one point.
For example, one person would be the director, one person would be filming, and another would be in charge of continuity of the props, whilst the other was checking markers were correct, and that the actors were doing their job.


Lighting

We chose to use focused hard light on our actress Saskia, to emphasise her vulnerability – showing every worried expression in her face. Our lighting was arguably a spotlight, creating shadows that had a fantastic effect for the overall mise en scene we intended on creating. Not only this, but Ben our “bad guy” was shown in hard light to make him appear more manly and aggressive which was vital for this shot look believable. It was important that we used a fill light as well as a keylight so that the remaining part of our set was not in darkness.


Filming

Holding up a steady shot was not as simple as we thought it would be therefore I thought the best way to film our piece was using a tripod. To make sure camera was level in every frame we had to "bubble the tripod" which means to twist the knob underneath the top of the tripod until the oil bubble moves into the centre - indicating that it is then stationary and ready to use properly.
One aspect I remebered to check was that our lighting could not be seen in each frame. As for angles of the shots, we needed to consider power and neutrality. Low angle was most effective because one of our objectives was to reduce the power of Saskia and increase it for Ben. The rule of thirds principle is useful for framing shots. We learn that the frame is made up of nine squares and that the off-centre areas are where the eye is drawn to. Therefore this came in useful when we were positioning the camera as we purposely avoided the centre square to aid concentration to the chosen subject. I also made sure the cameras never crossed the 180° line, it was vital that it didn't because otherwise our actors would appear to be switching places mid sentence during the editing process.
Furthermore, to make the editing process easier we took each shot several times, this gave us a professional edge as part of the objective was to be perfectionists in everythingwe did. For example, if someone walked past the outside window whilst we were filming then we would repeat the take. The factor that made us feel more professional than anything else was the terminology we were using. To say wordslike "standby" "rolling" and "cut" was at first quite awkward and embarassing, but after some time we came to appreciate the significance of these terms and if to take the task seriously if we were to produce a good end product.

Video Camera

Video Cameras work like a a photo camera. The big difference is a normal Film camera takes 24 frames per seconds (NTSC) or 25 frames per seconds (PAL) which is the most common type in all countries. Because our eye is lethargic it sees a moving picture when there are 16 frames in one second.

Different moods can be created by camera movements. If the director wants to establish a rushed, dangerous or excited mood the camera should be handheld. This makes the picture seem more nervous and the situation shown uncontrolled.

!!!!!!!Everything on TV is a lie!!!!!!!

Camera Movements

Pan: horizontal movement of the camera from a static position

Tracking: camera moves on tracks to follow a subject. This effect can also be created using a dolly (a platform on wheels)

Tilt: a subtle movement on the vertical (up and down)

Crab: movement from side to side

Crane: camera is attached on to a crane so it can move dramatically up and down or from side to side

Handheld: a shaky movement. Follows the movement of the camera operator. Creates panic/realism/hectic/urgent and sudden movement

Rule of thirds

The rule states that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections. Proponents of the technique claim that aligning a subject with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the composition than simply centering the subject would.

180 degree Line

Point Of View Shot

A Point of View Shot allows the audience to see where the character looks at. Watch through the eyes.

Close-Up

A close-up (CU) tightly frames a person or an object. Close-ups are used in many ways, for many reasons. Close-ups are often used as cutaways from a more distant shot to show detail, such as characters´ emotions, or some intricate activity with their hands.

Two Shot

A Two shot is a type of shot employed in the film industry in which the frame encompasses a view of two people (the subjects). The subjects do not have to be next to each other, and there are many common two-shots which have one subject in the foreground and the other subject in the background.

Long Shot

The Long Shot (LS) allows the audience to see the character from head to toe. The audience can understand the relationship between environment and the person. The LS also introduces a character.

Establishing Shot

In film and television, an establishing shot (ES) sets up, or "establishes", a scene's setting and/or its participants. Typically it is a shot at the beginning (or, occasionally, end) of a scene indicating where, and sometimes when, the remainder of the scene takes place.