March 02, 2009

Having finished filming, we spent this lesson importing and editing our footage. Although this was a very time consuming and tedious process, it was very rewarding to see our work come together.

When capturing our footage we discovered that we had over twenty minutes of footage. However, this was to be expected because we had been careful to have multiple shots of the same scene so as to allow the selection of the best one. The first shot we edited was the establishing shot, although they all seemed similar, we had to take in account the special characteristics of film noir and edit our film from that perspective. These traits include low-key lighting, sounds and imagery. This exercised our “knowledge” of film noir and applying it not only to the acting and filming process but also to editing. Through analyzing and reflecting how well each shot contributes to the film noir atmosphere, we were able to pick the best shots.

One instance where much editing had to be done was in a scene where Jackson (the protagonist) stands up and leaves but stops as the bartender places a glass on the table in front of him. Although this was a simple scene we wanted to separate it into two shots, one long shot depicting the bartender and the Jackson and one close up shot of the glass. We wanted to emphasize the glass not only to play on the imagery of alcohol but also to vary the shots that we had, because up until this point, there were not many close ups. The problem that we encountered in combining these two shots was that one shooting the close up, we discovered that there was no audio. This posed as a big problem because the clank of the glass was the climax of the scene and even if we fused the two shots together, without sound the clip would be ineffective. However, because we had filmed the two shots separately the long shot also had a shot of the bartender placing the glass on the table and luckily there was a distinctive clank of the glass. To absolve this problem, we extracted the clanking sound from the audio clip in the long shot and supplemented it into the close up. The result was the visual of one shot and the audio clip of another. Despite the unauthenticity of this clip, the outcome was very good and clean.

In the same scene, we also exercised our ability to apply our “knowledge” on linear continuity editing. As seen from the diagram, when placing close up shot of the bartender placing the glass on the table in the middle of another shot of me getting up and leaving, we had to ensure that the flowing movement of the bartender. When the bartender retracted her hand from glass in the close up, we had to edit the long shot to follow the bartender’s movements in the close up.

In addition to editing, we also noted down areas in which the emphasis of certain sounds can be done. For example, the sound of footsteps, glass clinking, background music as well as speech. This is job of the sound editor in which they have to replicate these sounds which can then be integrated into the footage and fuse with the visuals. From looking the first few clips, we noticed that many sounds could be have redone. This is to be expected because despite the sensitivity of the boom mic, some sounds have to be even further emphasized and have to be recorded separately.

As editor, it is vital to pay attention to every detail of each shot to ensure that it flows smoothly without any glitches; as well as pay close attention to the continuity between neighboring shots. Lastly, I would have to edit the film in the context of film noir, keeping in mind the lighting, the speed and the colour saturation of each shot. The role of editor numerous areas of the IB Learner Profile which will include; “knowledge” of both film noir and of Final Cut Pro to be able to execute the necessary editing techniques to ensure the continuity as well as the flow of movements and lighting. “Thinkers” and “Risk Takers”, to be able to apply what we learn to unfamiliar situations and try new techniques to make the best out of it. To be “Open Minded” to the suggestions of my group members because film making is never an individual task but a group effort; it is also always better to have four people thinking than just one. Lastly, is to be “Reflective” on the work completed and to remember what I have learned today, the problems that I encountered and the ways that I solved them and how I could improve on my work. Through paying attention to these aspects, I will ensure that I will be able to produce the best work possible as well as make this an enjoyable and enriching learning experience.