Editing Techniques Tutorial

Continuity Editing Techniques from Frankie Smith on Vimeo.

Above is a brief tutorial on basic continuity editing techniques used in filmmaking. In the tutorial I explain what each technique is, show cinematic example of the technique and my own examples. 

I believe that overall, the tutorial was successful in the sense that it explains each editing technique and gives a good example of each one in practice. However, there are a few things that I would've done differently if given the chance to shoot again. For example, I would in future use a voice-over rather than explaining the techniques using text as audiences prefer to listen than to read (it being less time consuming to listen to some one talking). 

The Auter Theory

http://dlibrary.acu.edu.au/staffhome/siryan/screen/auteur%20theory.htm

French New Wave Research

Films

• Breathless (1960)
• The 400 Blows (1959)
• Jules and Jim (1962)
• Vivre Sa Vie (1962)

http://www.newwavefilm.com/new-wave-cinema-guide/nouvelle-vague-where-to-start.shtml

https://www.criterion.com/explore/4-french-new-wave

 http://theculturetrip.com/europe/france/articles/the-french-new-wave-revolutionising-cinema/

Useful Websites/Webpages

http://theculturetrip.com/europe/france/articles/the-french-new-wave-revolutionising-cinema/

http://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/lists/10-great-french-new-wave-films

http://www.newwavefilm.com/new-wave-cinema-guide/nouvelle-vague-where-to-start.shtml

https://www.criterion.com/explore/4-french-new-wave

http://www.theblackandblue.com/2010/03/29/the-french-new-wave-a-cinematic-revolution/

ISO Experiments at Night

Below are some examples of experiments I have carried out during the night, looking specifically at the ways in which changing the ISO has an effect on the overall video.

ISO 100 from Frankie Smith on Vimeo.

This is an example of the footage I shot on a Canon DSLR (EOS 700D) at night/low light. I shot this footage at the side of a road. I chose this location because I thought that the light from the headlights of passing cars would provide a good amount of light and movement to make an aesthetically pleasing video. My ISO was at 100 and  I used an aperture of f5.6 to allow plenty of light into the lens as well as create a relatively shallow depth of field. My shutter speed was at 1/50 because my frame rate was 24 fps (your shutter speed should be double the frame rate).

ISO 1600 (1) from Frankie Smith on Vimeo.

This was my first attempt at shooting with an ISO of 1600. 

ISO 1600 (2) from Frankie Smith on Vimeo.

Reflection

Process

I think that overall, my videos were relatively effective, particularly the ones that I used a tripod for. I worked with Beth (http://kechncbethanyheath.blogspot.co.uk) which helped a lot because it meant that we could help each other with any problems we faced. 

Strengths and Weaknesses/Problem Solving

I would say that my strengths would definitely be the fact that I used a tripod, worked effectively as part of a team and my knowledge of the camera settings.  
In regards to my weaknesses, I found it difficult to focus the camera on my subjects due to the low visibility at night.  To solve this problem we moved to a different location with a larger light source. 


Recommendations

If I were to shoot these videos again, I would be more ambitious with location and maybe experiment more with shots types, maybe use a panning shot or a tilt. 

Sound/Audio Testing

These short clips are experiments with various microphones, in order to establish which record the best quality audio when filming. 

In this video, we used only the in-camera audio to record Elliot talking. Although this does record sound, it is not very clear and there is a lot of extra noise picked up by the microphone. 

In this video, we recorded Elliot talking using a Zoom H1 microphone which we attached to the hot shoe ontop of the DSLR camera we were using. This was far more effective than the in-camera audio, however we can still hear a little bit of background noise.

Finally, we used a boom microphone which was plugged into a recorder, which was then plugged into the camera. This produced the best quality audio, however, using this method of recording sound is not always suitable as you need at least two people to operate it. 

Focusing The Camera

Below are a few examples of when I experimented with focusing. The aim of this was to be able to focus on one subject and then switch the focus to another subject smoothly.

Both of these videos are quite similar, although in the first my subject went slightly out of focus again at the end, which I hadn't intended to happen. I did a quick re-shoot of the same subjects and think that, although it took me considerably longer to focus on the second subject, it looks a lot smoother. The video was correctly exposed and because I shot indoors, I had to use a slightly higher ISO than I would in natural day light and a lower aperture. 


Process

I think that 

Continuity Editing

Continuity Editing

Shot Reverse Shot

This is where one character is seen looking off another character, who is often off-screen at this point, and then this character is seen looking back at the first character. The audience can then assume that the characters are looking at one another, as the characters are facing opposite directions as if they were sat in front of each other.

180 Degree Rule

This is an essential rule to shooting/editing film and media, it keeps the camera on the side of the action. The rule states that the camera(s) should remain the same side of an imaginary line (which is perpendicular to the cameras viewpoint in the establishing shot) at all times. The rule should not be broken so as to not confuse the audience watching.

30 Degree Rule

This rule is used in filmmaking in order to create continuity between different shots within a large sequence of shots. Between each shot, the camera should be moved to a minimum of 25 -30 degrees to avoid jarring transitions or jump cuts. 

Cross Cutting

Cross cutting is the process of cutting between different sets/scenes of action that can be occurring simultaneously, or even at different times. This editing techniques is often used to create suspense or tension or to show the relationship between the different scenes. 

Match on Action

This is where the editor cuts from one shot to another which matches the action in the first shot. It gives the impression of continuous time, although the two shots may have been filmed hours apart. 

Temporal Overlap

This is when an action or shot is repeated from a different angle to put emphasis on the content of the shot. This is a common technique used in action films, as it can be used to show fast paced action from different perspectives so that the audience can fully understand what is occurring in the scene. 

Continuity Editing Techniques from Frankie Smith on Vimeo.