Editing Styles

Went over a powerpoint in class about editing styles! These are becoming really helpful, since I know nothing about editing. Here are some brief notes I took, these are gonna help me a lot when I start to edit. I hope to achieve a style of editing that helps find the vibe of the film. 

Continuity Editing = shots are cut together in a clear and linear flow of uninterrupted action (used to keep a continuous sense of time and space) 

Montage = a sequence of shots (usually juxtaposing one another), creates an emotional impact for the audience 

Ellipsis/Elliptical Editing = this type of editing is basically a narrative device used to allow an event's duration on-screen to be shorter than its duration in the story

Cheat Cut = editing in which there is continuous time from shot to shot but it does not math the position of objects in the shot or scene 

References: 

https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/a-beginners-guide-to-film-editing-vocabulary/

https://walkaboutla.org/robfilm2/Editing.html#:~:text=Cheat%20cut.,or%20objects%20in%20the%20scene.

https://everything2.com/title/elliptical+editing#:~:text=Elliptical%20editing%20is%20a%20technique,part%20of%20the%20same%20event.

Editing Techniques

Went over a powerpoint in class and took some notes on editing techniques! They'll come in handy later. 

Transitions = joins shots together (basically establishes how one shot ends and how the next shot begins) 

Cut = when one shot instantly follows another shot

Fade out = occurs when picture is slowly replaced by a black screen or any other solid color (used to end movies)

Fade In = occurs when a solid color slowly begins to show the picture (used to begin movies)

Dissolve/Overlapping = occurs when one shot is gradually replaced by the next shot (used to link two scenes and creates a scene transition)

Wipe = transition between shots (line passes across the screen, which eliminates the first shot as it replaces the next shot), suggests brief difference in time or serves as a connection between two images, not really used anymore with modern cinema

Iris =  a wipe that takes the shape of a shrinking or growing circle (used to emphasize a specific detail or to begin a scene) 

Matches= techniques that join and divide two shots by making a connection between them

Eyeline match = a shot of a character looking at something and then cuts to another shot showing exactly what the character is looking at

Graphic Match = two successive shots are joined in order to create similarities between compositional  elements 

Match on Action = cuts two alternative views of the same action together at the same moment in the action (used to make action seem less interrupted), allows same action to be seen from multiple angles (keeps the continuous nature and pace) 

Shot Duration = when a shot is extended (you're basically not editing)

Long Take = when a shot continues for a long time before the transition to the next shot

Overlapping Editing =  cuts that repeat part or all of an action

Rhythm = the rate and regularity os sounds, series of shots, and movements within the shots (VERY ESSENTIAL BECAUSE IT ESTABLISHES THE MOOD)

Crosscutting/Parallel Editing = when two scenes are alternating simultaneously, but in different locations 

Jump Cut = elliptical cut that appears as an interruption of a single shot

Shot/Reverse Shot = when multiple shots are edited together in a way that alternates character to show both sides of a conversation 

Superimposition = exposure of more than one image on the same film strip

References: 

https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/a-beginners-guide-to-film-editing-vocabulary/

Editing!

   The art of editing is able to enhance emotion and comprehends language. It is basically the assembly of a film. It is the foundation of film's atmosphere and pace. The power of editing is able to tie themes together.

 Three Tasks you should incorporate when thinking about Editing:

• Which shot do you use? 
• Where do you begin?
• Where do you end it?

   Any shot in any film evokes and communicates ideas. It is advised to figure out how long you want a shot to be because the length of a shot can convey meanings. Editing can juxtapose ideas and reflect a character's thought process.

Editing in Storytelling 

• Editing offers suggestions of characters/or setting 
• Editors envision the entire picture 
• When editing, consider many ideas of the film
• Editing makes connections (shows cause and effect, reinforcement, opposition)
• Find meaning in the shot, to add depth
• Editing shows emotional response through transitions

References

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnXEIlCrEgA&t=786s

Microphone Tingz

   I learned about sound this week and realize its importance in film. Sound is like another character that is vital for the story. I decided to go ahead and purchase some microphones for my film opening. The whole idea is that I plug the microphone to my phone's audio jack and then I would place my phone as well as the microphone on the actor, so the actor would be able to speak into it. 

 

    The only thing I'm worried about is that during the editing process, I would have to somehow link the audio with what shot is going on during the scene. Not impossible, but I'm scared because it's my first time doing this sort of thing. Hopefully, the microphones come in handy during the filming process. Crossing my fingers I figure out how to link the audio with the shot. I hope there are some helpful videos on Youtube that can aid me in figuring it out. 

Sound in Film (Techniques)

Sound can actively shape how the audience will perceive an image occurring in the shot/scene. 

   We watched this video in class explaining some sound techniques used in film. Here are some notes that I took on the video.

Rhythm 

• a beat, pulse, pace, or tempo
• it is vital to match pace of the music to the scene 
• change of rhythm can change audiences' expectations

Fidelity

• extent to which sound is faithful to the source as the viewer/audience sees it (matter of expectation) 

Parallel Sound 

• occurs when the sound that the viewer/audience hears should go hand in hand with the images on the screen

Contrapuntal Sound

• occurs when the viewer/audience hears sounds that they would not associate with the events happening on screen 

Synchronous Sound

• images and sound are in sync (sound matches what is going on the screen) 

Asynchronous Sound 

• images and sound are out of sync (sound effects do not match what is going in the scene)

Diegetic Sound

• if the sound is a character or object in the story space of the film (ex. voices of characters during a dialogue) 

Non-Diegetic Sound

• comes from a source that is outside narrative space (ex. a voice-over or music score) 

Volume

• alterations in volume have a dramatic impact on the scene

Mise en Scene

Mise en scène is defined as the placement of actors and scenery on a stage for a theatrical, film or television production. 

(Filmmakers concentrate on storytelling through a single image.)

Elements that make up Mise en Scène: 

• props 
• set design 
• costumes
• makeup
• color
• lighting
• blocking
• framing
• lenses
• sound
• frame rate
• music

There are two types of Mise en scène - Naturalistic and Theatrical 

Naturalistic: the world in the film matches our own, so it is familiar and realistic.

Theatrical: exaggerated world, emphasizes the artificial nature of its world (ex. seen in science fiction/dystopian films)

I'm excited to incorporate some of these elements in the opening of my film, so that I can create meaning. 

References

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3euNFd7-TCg

Composition

    Composition is defined as the way various elements in a scene are arranged within a frame. Let's see the effect that each composition has within a scene and the meaning that can be conveyed. 

Framing 

   There are different ways to frame a scene, but these are some of most common ways to frame within a scene. 

Single Shot 

• Only features one character alone in the frame, this one individual character is the primary focus of the scene. It can sometimes convey a character's isolation.

Two-Shot

• When two characters are visible within a frame. Two-shots create visual relationships between characters.

Insert Shot

• Goes extremely tight on detail. The insert shot emphasizes objects to show how crucial it is to the narrative.

Other ways to frame that I've covered in my previous blog are with over-the-shoulder shots and POV shots. Filmmakers frame shots in a specific way to help guide a scene in the direction they want. 

Rule of Thirds

• Occurs when image is broken down into thirds, horizontally and vertically. As a result, the image will have 9 equal parts in total. Rule of thirds help you better frame the elements in your shot to create a more balanced photo that is both natural and pleasing to the eye.   

Depth of Field 

Deep Focus

• Shows all the details within the frame. This means that both the subject and the background are clearly shown to demonstrate the details and context of the scene. 

Shallow Focus

• Only the subject is clear, while the background is unfocused and blurry. Filmmakers use this technique so that audiences can pull their attention the specific thing that the filmmaker wants the audience to observe. 

Focus Pulls 

• Transitioning a shallow depth of field between different points of focus within a shot. It is used to direct audience's attention and reveal or create elements between them.

References 

All pictures taken by me 

https://the-take.com/read/the-filmmakers-handbook-what-is-deep-focus

https://wp-modula.com/rule-of-thirds/#:~:text=The%20rule%20of%20thirds%20helps,you%20have%20nine%20equal%20parts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQNiqzuXjoM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGNUqNFfD8M

Camera Shots

    In this blog post, I will be explaining the different shots filmmakers use to establish scenes, characters, and  how it creates details that are critical for the narrative of a story. . 

Establishing Shot

   The establishing shot is used to open a scene. It is very wide and it is used to demonstrate various things. It can establish the time of day, provide context or details, and informs the audience of the setting. It is a crucial introductory component. 

Close-up Shot 

   A close-up is used to visually show a change of emotion. Close-ups are often arranged at eye-level. It visually illustrates the character's thoughts or feelings. 

Point-of-view Shot

   During the point-of-view shot, the audiences experiences the perspective of a character. The POV shot can be imperative when it comes to the narrative elements of a film. It can also be used to provide direct empathy.

Over-the-shoulder shot

   The over-the-shoulder shot is the most common and useful way of showing a conversation between subjects. It often focuses on one character at a time. The audience is able to get perspectives from both sides of the characters. In addition, the audience gets a sense that they are being included in the moment.

Long Shot

 The long shot demonstrates the subject's entire body. The subjects body is shown head to toe. It is very effective because the character is able to make a statement by using his/her physicality.  

Mid-Shot

  

 A mid-shot shows the subject from the waist up. It highlights the character and their surroundings. It is mostly used to show characters interacting with others and mimics real life because this is similar to how people have conversations in real life. 

References

All pictures taken by me 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyML8xuKfoc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQNiqzuXjoM

Camera Angles

   So, I do not have models but I do have my generous little brother and wonderful dog. Here are some examples of camera angles, why they are used and what they convey.

High Angle 

 During a high angle, the camera is looking down on a subject. High angles are used to diminish the character. By diminish I mean show them as weak, powerless or vulnerable. 

Low Angle 

 The low angle is the complete opposite of a high angle. During a low angle, the camera is looking up a subject. The camera is below the subject's eye line and it is used to make the subject look more powerful. It can be subtle or extreme. 

Canted Angle

   The canted angle demonstrates the horizontal axis of the frame. The camera is slanted to one side. This creates a sense unease, mania, terror, or bewilderment. It basically magnifies tension. 

References

All pictures were taken by me. 

Video about different camera angles

Learning About Camera Shots

    Hello, here's a little something about what I learned about types of camera shots. 

Films are made up of sequences, and those sequences are made up of scenes.

Shot size - helps establish mood and significance of a scene

Establishing shot - used to open a scene, very wide can establish time of day, used to transition scene to scene and show details (crucial introductory component) 

Master shot - confirms location and geography, demonstrates characters, and emphasizes relationships between characters

Wide shot (WS) - positions subjects from camera to show the relationship between characters

Full shot - subjects entire body is shown, effective because it makes statements and presents characters in all their glory

Medium full shot - subject is shown head to waste (also known as the cowboy shot), usually is used to present a character as dangerous 

Medium shot (MS) - captures subjects interacting with others, similarly to how people interact with each other in real life, head is above the waist, but below chest (very popular)

Medium close-up shot - mid-chest to above the head 

Close-up (CU) - usually applied to show changes in emotion, can show thoughts or feelings a character is feeling (eye level) 

Extreme close-up (ECU) - framed to isolate specific area 

Inserts shots - highlights objects to demonstrate how crucial it is to the narrative

POV shot - shows characters literal POV, gives shot more energy, shot is able to provide direct empathy,  but sometimes can be too limited

Here's a video that further explains the camera shots I've listed above.

Here's a video we watched in class explaining what the POV shot is and its effect.