Picture Editing
1. The Cutting Edge
Before you start to assemble your film, watch this documentary on film editing to gain understanding of film editing theory. Great stuff.
1. The Cutting Edge
Before you start to assemble your film, watch this documentary on film editing to gain understanding of film editing theory. Great stuff.
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2. Capturing Footage
Once you have all of your shots filmed you can move to the computer to start assembling your story. The first step is to move all of the clips from your tape or memory card to the computer in a process called "capturing". Watch this short video to help get you started on capturing, labelling, and organizing your clips.
Once you have all of your shots filmed you can move to the computer to start assembling your story. The first step is to move all of the clips from your tape or memory card to the computer in a process called "capturing". Watch this short video to help get you started on capturing, labelling, and organizing your clips.
3. Trim Your Shots
Cut out all the unwanted bits of your footage. Get rid of all the director's calls at the beginning and the end of each take.
TIPS:
Cut out all the unwanted bits of your footage. Get rid of all the director's calls at the beginning and the end of each take.
TIPS:
- FInd and use the best takes.
- Don't delete any clips, you never know what you might be able to use later on.
- Make your audience wish the film was longer, rather than them wishing it was shorter.
4.Assemble Your Timeline
Arrange your shots into scenes by dragging them down into your timeline. Choose the best takes and shots, but remember to trim out all unwanted footage to get the most efficient story.
TIPS:
Arrange your shots into scenes by dragging them down into your timeline. Choose the best takes and shots, but remember to trim out all unwanted footage to get the most efficient story.
TIPS:
- Cut to a close up to build tension and emotion rather than leaving a shot too long in a wider shot.
- Use a cutaway shot to heal a jump cut between two similar shots.
- Use what you are given. When any professional editor starts editing he can only use the footage the director provides. Do the best with what you have.
- Use as much as possible from the footage you have. Bad takes often have enough footage in them to be usable.
- Try to match action, but if it isn't working cut for emotion instead.
Cutting on Motion/Match Cutting |
Coverage and Cutaways |
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5. Create Meaning with Montage
You create the meaning of your story through the sequencing of your images. Swapping out one shot for another changes the meaning and story. Think about how changing your sequence creates greater meaning and stronger emotion in your story. Don't feel as though you have to sequence exactly as you would in your storyboards.
TIPS:
Montage is often referred to a type of sequence that compresses time and events to move the story forward faster. Have a laugh at this clip from Team America.
You create the meaning of your story through the sequencing of your images. Swapping out one shot for another changes the meaning and story. Think about how changing your sequence creates greater meaning and stronger emotion in your story. Don't feel as though you have to sequence exactly as you would in your storyboards.
TIPS:
- Take out anything that doesn't add to the story or move it forward.
- Cut to the chase! Get to your action quickly.
- Avoid the "walking film" by taking out all unnecessary walking, driving, or travelling that doesn't add value emotionally.
- Show it, don't tell it. Use visual storytelling rather than dialogue.
Montage is often referred to a type of sequence that compresses time and events to move the story forward faster. Have a laugh at this clip from Team America.
Titles & Credits