SUBND Creative Media Production – Film & Television

Semester 1. 2018-19
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

Jess O’Hara

P3
Media Terms
Undertake research to understand what all the editing terms
listed in unit outcomes mean? (Reference source of research)

TASK 1
Use Editing Technology

Software Applications
Applications are the programs that are written out to complete certain
tasks in a given environment, while the software is what the application
is working on. They both have to work together otherwise nothing will
come of it as a result. There are multiple different types of Softwares, for
example; Generic, Integrated and Bespoke are a few but depending on
that software only specific applications will work on it. In College, Final
Cut Pro is taught in class on how to use it to edit your films and projects,
but I personally use Premier Pro as I am used to it and it’s a lot easier
for me to use.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ict/software/3applicatio
nsrev1.shtml
 Hardware
To film we used a Sony 700D and a

Non-linear
Non-linear enables you to make a series of multiple edits from different
footage points without impacting any clips that may be in your browser.
Example; you write a letter with a pen and paper and make a mistake,
you’d be forced to re-write it from the beginning. But, using the computer
would allow you to make the changes necessary without having to start
from scratch. I have definitely learned to do this through filming, editing
and directing a specific scene when it’s happening.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-linear_editing_system

High Definition
High definition is used very often in filming or video editing. It’s a
common resolution used by people that allows them to view that video in
the best visual display they can be offered. It is used to satisfy the one
watching the video and make them want to see more because of the
clear and easy to understand quality of the video. 1920-1080p is an
example of a hard disk that can be used as a digital format for video. I
use H264 in every video I make because it has high quality and it’s easy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-definition_video

Hard Disc
A hard disk is a data storage device that allows the holder to carry and
hold a sufficient amount of data such as pictures, videos and files that
hold important information. A hard disk is made up of many different
parts that make the storage bigger so you can hold more, but everything
has a limit and so does this. I used a HDD to store my work as well as a
memory pen of storage so I can work at any time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_disk_drive

Data Transfer Rates

Data Transfer Rates is the amount of digital data you’re allowed to move
from one place to another at any time you would like to. It is seen as the
speed of travel of a certain amount of data from one place to another.
Altogether, the larger the bandwidth of the path, the higher the DTR.
Gbits, Mbits and Kbits are multiples of the unit bits for digital information
or computer storage.

https://searchunifiedcommunications.techtarget.com/definition/dat
a-transfer-rate

Exporting Production File Types

This is the process necessary for you to complete to attach any clips
you’re using for a film production or video together to make a full timeline
of events and clips that are combined and tell a story. This also makes
the video go through very smoothly.

H264
This is one of the most commonly used formats by people who are
recording, compression or distributing any kind of video content that has
been edited. It’s a block-oriented motion-compensation-based video
compression standard. This is the one I use in any video I create.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.264/MPEG-4_AVC
Quick-Time

MOV
MOV is an assembly of language instructions that copy data from one
area to another. It’s a QuickTime video file extension that allows you to
view the video in QuickTime.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOV

AVI
AVI is a multimedia container format introduced as part of Microsoft’s
Video software. The AVI files can contain both audio and video data on
the software in. a container that allows them to synchronise in playback.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_Video_Interleave

FLV
Flash Video is a container file format used to deliver digital video content
over the internet using Adobe Flash Player V.6 and newer. Flash Video
content may also be embedded within files. There are two different video
file formats known as Flash Video: FLV and F4V. The audio and video
data within FLV files are encoded in the same manner as they are within
SWF files.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_Video
Compression
Data compression, source coding or bit-rate reduction involves encoding
important information using less bits than the original representation
had. Compression can be either lossy or lossless. No information is lost
in lossless compression. Lossy compression reduces bits by getting rid
of any unnecessary or less important information that was included.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compression

TASK 2
Follow Editing Process

Seamless
This is one of the most common editing techniques to be used in the
world. It is a method that helps to make the sequences of a film very
easy to follow along with because there are no continuity issues to be
found as an error. How you know when a seamless edit has worked in
the film is when you can’t actually tell where the cuts and transitions
appear.

Continuity
Continuity edition is the process, in film and video creation, of combining
more-or-less related shots, or different components cut from a single
shot, into a sequence so as to direct the viewer's attention to a pre-
existing consistency of story across both time and physical location.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuity_editing

Motivated
Motivated editing is a technique that is used in a highly subtle way, to
the point it’s rarely noticed. It’s a method that filmmakers and directors
use to draw their audiences attention to a specific scene, object or
movement that may happen. An example is; a two girls are walking
through the woods on their regular walk. One of them trips and falls
down a pretty big hill and the second girl follows down to help her friend
up. When they’re both at the bottom someone calls down to see if
they’re ok but the girls can’t see them due to the sunlight blinding them,
leaving the conclusion of who the stranger is a mystery and up to the
audience to figure out.

Montage
Montage 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
term has been used in various contexts. It was introduced to cinema
primarily by Sergei Eisenstein, and early Soviet directors used it as a
synonym for creative editing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montage_(filmmaking)

Jump-Cutting
A jump cut is a cut in film editing in which two sequential shots of the
same subject are taken from camera positions that vary only slightly if at
all. This type of edit gives the effect of jumping forwards in time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jump_cut

Parallel Editing Conventions

Parallel editing (cross cutting) is the technique of alternating two or more
scenes that often happen simultaneously but in different locations. If the
scenes are simultaneous, they occasionally culminate in a single place, where
the relevant parties confront each other.
http://www.elementsofcinema.com/editing/parallel-editing/

TASK 3
Apply And Use Appropriate Transition

Cut
In the post-production process of film editing and video editing, a cut is
an abrupt, but usually trivial film transition from one sequence to
another. It is synonymous with the term edit, though “edit" can imply any
number of transitions or effects.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cut_(transition)

Dissolve
In the post-production process of film editing and video editing, a
dissolve is a gradual transition from one image to another. The terms
fade-out (also called fade to black) and fade-in are used to describe a
transition to and from a blank image. This is in contrast to a cut where
there is no such transition.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissolve_(filmmaking)

Fade
A fade occurs when the picture gradually turns to a single color, usually
black, or when a picture gradually appears on screen. Fade in’s
generally occur at the beginning of a film or act, while Fade out’s are
typically found at the end of a film or act.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_transition#Fade_in/out

Wipes
A wipe is a type of film transition where one shot replaces another by
travelling from one side of the frame to another or with a special shape.
If the wipe proceeds from two opposite edges of the screen toward the
centre or vice versa, it is known as a barn door wipe (named for its
similarity to a pair of doors opening or closing).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wipe_(transition)

TASK 4
Use Appropriate Editing Conventions

Cutaways
Cutaway (filmmaking) In film and video, a cutaway shot is the
interruption of a continuously filmed action by inserting a view of
something else. It is usually, although not always, followed by a cut back
to the first shot, when the cutaway avoids a jump cut.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutaway_(filmmaking)

Cutting in Action
Cutting in action or matching on action refers to film editing and video
editing techniques where the editor cuts from one shot to another view
that matches the first shot's action. A common example is a man walking
up to a door and reaching for the knob.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutting_on_action

Creating Juxtapositions
Juxtaposition is an act or instance of placing two elements close
together or side by side. This is often done in order to compare/contrast
the two, to show similarities or differences, etc. Juxtaposition in literary
terms is the showing contrast by concepts placed side by side.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juxtaposition

Intercutting
This is often used to directly correlate to a specific part of the story. It will
either be used as a flashback to a backstory of a character to let the
audience see a past event. Or it could be used as another flashback to
someone remembering something that was previously mentioned in the
storyline.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/intercut

Pace Effectively
The pace in a film is very important and depends completely on the
entire production. Based on the length and amount of cuts that there are
in the film, as well as the action speed in every shot that’s taken. It also
depends on the genre that the film is based around. If it’s action or a
horror it’s usually quite fast, if it’s a romance it’s pretty slow.

Convey Information Effectively

This is a technique that I personally love to see. It’s when the production
purposely gives out important information to the audience, through either
hearing or seeing it on the screen. An example of this is in the TV show
Sherlock, the main character Sherlock Holmes is a very smart “active
sociopath” who is very often asked by the police or detectives for his
help in solving crimes. Typically murder crimes. To allow the audience to
view how his mind works and how he finds evidence at a crime scene,
the scenes are zoomed in to specific areas and have words across the
screen explaining things that Sherlock notes in his mind.

Use Sound To Create Impact

Sound makes a very big impact to the entire film and to the audience. If
done properly, it will change the atmosphere that will be felt throughout a
film. Bright and happy themes are usually in Romances or Young Adult
films. In Horrors they’ll either have a constant dark and unnerving feeling
through the movie, or they will have a normal tone and then slowly shift it
to a scarier effect when something is about to happen.
Synchronise Sound And Vision
Sound and visual work hand in hand with each other, one won’t necessarily
work entirely well without the other working just as well along with it. The only
example I can think of is a gunshot. Obviously a gun shot makes a sound, but
because they aren’t shooting real bullets they’re blanks, so during editing they
put in gunshot sounds and match it up with the actor shooting a blank.

Mix Soundtracks
Soundtracks in films are what brings each scene or moment together for the
audience and helps them to relate and react to them. In a romantic scene
where a couple realise they like each other and confess or a sad scene where
someone has died will be amplified to the viewers emotions.

Overlap Sound
Putting in sound effects with a supernatural character uses their powers
or adding in multiple different musical tones will enhance the story’s
tone. If there were no sound effects, the film would be pretty boring to
watch.
https://www.techwalla.com/articles/overlap-audio-files-using-audacity

TASK 5
Employ Post-Production Tools

Screen Text
This is a tool on premiere that I use to apply text onto the screen to
appear as a part of the video. This is usually done when I forget to say
something or to add a little more dialogue.
Image Editing
Image editing is the process of many different parts to editing a moving
picture. Colour correction is very often used so that two scenes when
brought together look the same and it doesn’t take away the story
behind the scene, colour correction makes it easier to place two scenes
from different places together. Scaling and rotation are important if
you’re looking to zoom into a scene or make the video look a certain
way. I used a little colour correction to make the scenes go by smoothly
in editing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_editing

Audio Editing Effects To Enhance Genre Style

Audio editing is done to enhance and better the sounds and quality of a
video. Maybe if a character was hit in the head and you change the
audio to sound more foggy or blurred out, it would explain to the viewers
that he’s having trouble hearing.