AS1: Task 11: Creating Pace with Cross Cutting

Creating Pace with Cross Cutting

When creating a film sequence it is vital to focus on the pacing. Editing plays a huge role within the pace of a film sequence as well. 

Our Task:

Our task was to form a group and create and edit a film sequence which depicted two or more characters approaching each other from different locations. We had to assign the following roles for this task:

• Director
• Camera Operator
• 2x Actors 

Cast and Crew:

Characters:

Samuel Aworinde

Bradley Scamell
Shivam Sharma

Camerawoman:

Diana Adriano

Boompole/Mic:

Jasmine King

Idea/Plot:

The idea was to was to present pacing in our work and make the plot clear to the audience watching what is about to happen. To begin, we had a slow pace to create the build up to the actual storyline itself. After this, the pace should've gotten faster as the film sequence is leading up to the main part of the sequence.

As a group, our plot consisted of classmates, Bradley and Samuel in a deep discussion about smuggling drugs into the school where they can take them in secret. They both devise a plan to leave their classroom where they can take the drugs - hoping not to be caught. Unfortunately to their dismay, Samuel actually drops the drugs on the floor. After their lesson, the teacher, Shivam comes across the drugs in the corridor and later expels the pair.

Shown below is the storyboard and final, edited film sequence my group and I created.

                                                         

In order to create pace with cross cutting in our film sequence, we created a plot which included a slow pacing start. As the plot thickens, tension rises as the two characters (Samuel and Bradley) are about to be caught out by their teacher.

We see the use of pace when the characters first meet. Initially, it's a slow start when the characters enter the classroom. The scene then cross cuts to their angered teacher (Shivam) questioning why the pair are late to the lesson. The pace quickens when the two leave the classroom, with their teacher following them closely.

The pace quickens and tension builds towards the end of the sequence when the two characters are finally caught out by their teacher - resulting with a severe punishment behind the scenes. 

AS1: Task 10: Understanding Pace

Understanding Pace

In a film, each sequence relates to the pace of the film. An example of this would be to create an action packed film. When editing scenes, they would have to be quick. A scene may last for a few seconds depending on the genre itself. The speed of editing determines what takes place on the screen. The length of a sequence establishes the pace of the film moving along the action sequence. 

Creating Pace:

Filmmakers want the audience to feel anxious and have suspense - therefore editing will be quick. The scenes and shots will change frequently due to this. This is seen in the film; "The Bourne Ultimatum".

During a relaxing mood, scenes last longer and change less frequently. For example, this is represented in a romantic comedy. An example of this would be seen in the film; "The Notebook".

Gunfight Scene

During this scene from 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly' we see a very slow build up towards a a gunfight scene. The pace is slow at first as the tension rises. We see the three men all stare at each other closely to see who is going to draw their gun first. Suddenly the pace rapidly increased and one man drew his gun and shot the other man. The pace shown in this scene demonstrates how the pace increases.

Russian Ark:

Throughout this film, only one edit was produced. The film was a continuous long shot throughout the entire. One scene was filmed continuously, using a 'Steadicam' and digital camera. To do this, split second timing and precise organisation would be required. If the shot was disrupted, then the scene would have to be filmed again. Shown below is the ballroom scene from Russian Ark.

           

 The Hunger Games Trailer:

A trailer involves a lot of editing and will be made to look very fast. Trailers will only include major parts of the film to create suspense through the action.

Scenes may become shorter when the film progresses due to the editing cuts. This is achieved through illustrating two or more storylines at once.

Psycho:

In this film we see the character, Marion step into the shower. There are numerous edits made during the lead up to her attack. I personally counted a total of 12 edits. This creates suspense for the audience as it leaves them in the process of establishing what is bound to happen next.

The scenes at the start of any film should be long enough to be able to gather an understanding of what is actually happening. It's also a slow process trying to introduce the protagonist, however.

Cross Cutting:

This is the process of editing two sequences together that present a connection to the audience. An event occurs at the exact same time in different locations and it demonstrates how a character is reliving a memory.

Developing Drama:

Cross Cutting is also used for effective drama development. We see this in the horror film; "Scream" when character, Casey, is demonstrated dramatically by cross cutting to her parents approaching the house and almost saving her in time before her death. 

AS1: Task 9: Non Continuity Editing

 Non Continuity

What is Non Continuity Editing?

Non Continuity Editing is a style of film making which was made popular during the 1950's and 1960's. Notably, Jean Luc Godard and François Truffaut tested their technological skill and created the new style - "French New Wave". The French New Wave didn't conform to the traditional editing etiquette of Hollywood films.

The French New Wave generally had a lack continuity and self reflexive nature. it was applied to remind the audience that they were watching a film.

There was also a lack of material, not related to any narrative and this was used to keep the audiences surprised, entertained and intrigued.

What is a Jump Cut?

A Jump Cut is the edit of jumping from one scene to another. This was placed in the film created by Jean Luc Godard; 'A Bout de Souffle' (Breathless), shown below.

We see how the woman in the car, in the stills shown below is staring directly at the road in the first shot.

In the second shot we see how the scene has a jump cut. The shot jumps to show the woman looking in to a mirror. This helps the audience figure out if she's planning on going somewhere of high importance.

A jump cut demonstrates the different uses of locations. Notably other films using jump cut scenes include E.T. in the scene where the group of boys are escaping a mob. We see how the camera focuses on one boy (Elliot) and the camera jumps closer to his face. This action is then repeated.

Here we see the camera focusing on Elliot's face. He has a shocked expression on his face and this intrigues the audience makes them wonder what is about to happen in the next scene. This is clearly effective because it increases the action in the scene.

Use of the 180 Degree Rule:


In movies, the 180 Degree Rule is often used in a effective way to create a startling effect presenting how something striking my occur in a scene to cause a fright.  We see use of the 180 Degree Rule in the film; 'The Shining'.

Film makers often break the 180 Degree Rule.
The 180 Degree Rule was broken in this scene and this is evident because we see how the characters have swapped positions, as shown below.


















The 180 Degree Rule is broken again and is also used to create confusion for the audience and this is depicted in the film; 'The Hunger Games' where we see actress Jennifer Lawrence enter a room with the bed on the left side of the room.






The 180 Degree Rule is broken in this scene because now we see Jennifer standing on the left side of the room and the bed has now been moved onto the right side of the room.

AS1: Task 8: Using Continuity Editing Techniques

Continuity Editing Techniques

In a group, a short film sequence was created  to demonstrate the forms of continuity editing through the use of film.

Our Task:

To create a film sequence and create a plot for it. The plot involved two friends meeting up and one of them breaking the news that they were moving back to France.

This film sequence involved having:

• A Director
• A Camera Operator 
• Two or more actors
• A Microphone Operator 

We created a storyboard to demonstrate the different scenes throughout our film sequence. We edited our own versions of the sequence and used different shots in order to film the sequence. These shots included:

• Shot, reverse shot
• Match on Action
• 180 Degree Rule
• Eye line Match
• Point of View

Plot/Idea:

The first still displayed depicts Allegria looking down at her phone and sending a text to Diana asking her to meet, however what Diana doesn't know is that Allegria is planning to tell her that she's moving to France forever. The two friends soon meet up in school when Diana wonders what's wrong with Allegria. Soon after Allegria breaks the news, the two friends part their ways.

Characters:

Allegria Luyindula

Diana Adriano

Techniques:

When filming, my group used a lot of techniques in our film sequence. Below I shall be explaining the following that we embedded into our sequence.

Shot, reverse shot: 

In our sequence, we filmed Allegria and Diana's conversation using shot, reverse shot. This consisted of filming one person speak at a time and then recording them each time. Shot, reverse shot could be recorded on separate days and it would create the illusion that the two characters are talking to each other face to face, when in reality they could be facing another way and could just give the impression that they were facing each other due to the shot, reverse shot. Shown below is an example of a shot, reverse shot.

Match on Action:

We used match on action in our sequence as we see Diana walking up the stairs to turn the corner. We later film Diana opening a door to walk through and sit next to Allegria. The camera was paused right before Diana actually walked through the door and later resumed play as she was filmed from inside of the room instead and she was shown walking through the door on the other side.

180 Degree Rule:

The 180 degree rule is special as it isn't allowed to be broken. We used this technique in our sequence to film around Diana and Allegria half way.

Eye Line Match:

Eye line match demonstrated in the film sequence shows Allegria and Diana's conversation from the angle of their eyesight. For example, Allegria was filmed speaking to Diana and the camera was angled at a certain position to present that she was talking directly to Diana. Afterwards this was filmed directly the same way with Diana speaking to Allegria.

Point of View:

This technique was used to portrayAllegria's story as well as Diana's. Here is an example of a point of view.

Final Product

Shown below is the final product of our film sequence.

AS1: Task 7: Understanding Continuity Editing

Understanding Continuity Editing

What is Continuity Editing?

Continuity Editing became the popular type of 'classical Hollywood' style of editing. Throughout the years, continuity editing was developed by both European and American directors, such as D.W. Griffith in his film 'The Birth of a Nation'. The classical style Continuity Editing consists of temporal and spatial (time and space) continuity as a way of advancing the narrative and this uses techniques such as the 180 degree rule, Match on Action and shot, reverse shot.

Importance with Continuity Editing:

Continuity Editing provides the sense of 'realistic chronology' and gives off the idea that time is in fact moving forward. The idea is to present a consistent shot when filming, although it doesn't provide a flashback shot to flash to the present, when using Continuity Editing we should be able to see the narrative between the shots.

Continuity Techniques:

Eye-line Match:

• Two shots are matched together. 
• Character is shown shown looking in the distance off screen and then a shot is cut to showing what they were looking at.
• The audience watching has the experience to view this event throughout the duration of the film in the same way the character does.

Shown opposite is an example of an eye-line match used in the film 'Kill Bill Vol 1'.

Match on Action:

Match on Action is the technique that links two shots together. The character begins the scene with one shot being filmed on camera and then the camera films the scene from another part of the room which eventually ends with the character finishing the scene in the second shot. This provides the audience with a realistic view of the scene.

Shot, Reverse Shot:

A shot, reverse shot links two shots together and it also films one character in a scene, then the second shot films the other character in the scene. This creates the thought of the two characters conversing with each other within the scene.

Taken from; 'Sin City'

The 180 Degree Rule:

 

The use of the 180 degree rule states that characters within a scene should have the exact same "left/right relationship". If by any chance this relationship is broken on screen, then it is known as "crossing the line".

Shown below is an example of breaking the 180 degree rule in a scene.

AS1: Task 6: Creating a Montage

School Life Montage

Task:

In a group, the task was to create a montage of everyday life in school. My group consisted of myself, Diana Adriano, Allegria Luyindula and Bradley Scamell. 

Plot/Idea:

A regular school day beginning at 8:45am, demonstrated school children rushing to get to their next lesson on time. The next scene is shot in the English corridor where we focus on Bradley studying for his English Literature exam. Scene three is shot at the front of the school on the field where we see myself and Diana running on the field during break time until it is time for the next lesson to commence. Finally we see Allegria and Diana saying goodbye to each other at the end of the day as they go their separate ways.

Characters:

Jasmine King

Allegria Luyindula

Diana Adriano

Bradley Scamell

Shown below is the storyboard used to create the montage and the final product.

In a group, we created the style of the Hollywood montage. After watching a few examples of montage taking place in Hollywood, my group & I believed it was best to produce a montage piece in this format.

As you can see from the montage, the idea was to create a comedic piece where we see myself and Diana running back and forth in front of the camera, just like how you'd see characters from a cartoon swapping from door to door in a corridor for example.
We hoped to gain experience from seeing montage moments in Hollywood films.

I believe the montage creates meaning as it depicts how Hollywood films can influence the media to be sarcastic/satirical and this is what this montage represents. Our sole purpose was to provide entertainment.

I believe that our montage was successful because we embedded the instructions for the task into our montage. Due to this accomplishment I can proudly say that we have created a successful montage.

AS1: Task 5: Montage

Montage

What is montage?

Montage creates the visual of adding together scenes (preferably with background music) and has a different meaning when being referred to the different types of montage. Montage is used in films to compress time. Different types of montage include:

• French film
• Hollywood cinema
• Early Soviet film making 

Where did the idea originate from?

A man named Lev Kuleshov created an experiment in the year 1920 where he took one clip of film and inter-cut that particular shot with other images.

The French Montage:

In French film making, montage has the simple meaning of 'assembly' and this term identifies the process of editing.

The Soviet Montage:

The Soviet Montage included having juxtaposing shots to create a new meaning within a film - one that was non existing beforehand and wasn't in one of the two shots used to create the montage.

The Hollywood Montage:

One extremely popular film would be 'Rocky'. The first Rocky film was released in 1976 and is notably one of the most popular sagas to have a montage throughout. Several Hollywood films use montage an example of a montage used in Hollywood would be the Rocky III training montage.

Charlie Chaplin:


One actor that used juxtaposition within his films was Charlie Chaplin. His use of juxtaposition is seen in his film 'Modern Times'. Modern Times juxtaposes a herd of sheep with a herd of people leaving a subway. The use of juxtaposition here demonstrates two opposites acting alike in order to create one scene and which is why this scene in Sheep can be used as a montage.

Modern Times

Sergei Eisenstein:

Eisenstein uses juxtaposition in his film 'Strike'. Strike demonstrates the slaughtering of cows and the death of hundreds of workers who have been killed. Again we see how both scenes come together to portray the same message. Eisenstein's film is an example of The Soviet Montage. Shown below is the film, Strike.

Strike

AS1: Task 4: From Analogue to Digital Editing

Analogue to Digital Editing

Analogue Editing:

Analogue editing is the involvement of cutting together pieces of celluloid film in order to make an edit. Celluloid film is a thin sheet of celluloid which consisted of gelatine. Nowadays, celluloid film is being used less and less and only a select few film editors continue to use it (Steven Spielberg).

When using analogue editing, the films are already made up images that are then printed onto acetate negatives. The film gets "spliced" together in order to form a reel of film. Once the reel of film has been created, it is then fed through a projector and is projected at a consistent speed of 24 frames a second. From this, we gather the idea of having a moving image.

The Moviola:

Iwan Serrurier invented the Moviola in 1924. The Moviola is significant as it allowed the film editor to view a piece of film directly, and this was the first machine to notably do so. The Moviola was also the first machine used for feature length motion picture editing.

Shown opposite is an example of an early moviola.

To further this, the moviola also provides a few cons which outweigh the pros. An example of this would be how time consuming using a moviola can be as editing would include sticking the film frames together (without the frames shifting). The soundtrack is displayed on the side of the frames; this demonstrates that if the frames aren't aligned, the sound will not match the frame. This is viewed as a disadvantage.

Video Editing:

Magnetic tapes were previously used as storage for information before the use of digital technology. Magnetic tapes are known as video tapes. Video editing is able to edit different segments of tape by using a device which enables pieces of video tape to be put together mechanically.

There is a con to using video editing and that is to edit a piece of film in the correct order, otherwise the edit wouldn't be successful. Editing in this manner is known as linear editing.

Digital Editing:

Digital editing is extremely popular today due to the ever increasing advancement in technology. Digital media is a type of electronic media and data is stored in a digital form instead of an analogue form. Nowadays we use digital editing on computers (an advantage) as this is easier than manually editing in the form of analogue. We use computers for digital editing as this orders and manipulates digital data.

To date, there are various forms of editing programs. The three main editing programs we use include: 

• Adobe Premier
• Avid
• Final Cut Pro

In some was, digital editing is more complexed - it uses "bits" and "bytes" in order to record, transmit and replay images instead of using the chemicals on the film itself. Clearly this is electronic so therefore printing and splicing isn't necessary. An advantage of digital editing would be that you are free to edit digitally in your order of choice. another advantage of digital editing would be that it is relatively cheap and is quick to use.

Non-Linear Editing:

As opposed to linear editing, non-linear editing is the exact opposite - you edit in any order. An example of this would be to editing from the end of the film before you start editing the first scene. Non-linear editing uses electronic files and this is efficient as it is easy to cut and paste selected text inside a word document.

AS1: Task 2/3: In Camera Editing - Developments in Editing

What is in camera editing?

In camera editing is the technique of video production. This demonstrates the camera operator filming scenes in the order in which they should be viewed in.
For example, when filming, the camera operator would film a scene and then pause the camera and then resume filming the next scene showing an actor walking through a door but this time it would show the actor come through the door on the other side.
In camera editing was introduced by George Melies after accidentally discovering this technique by breaking his camera.

Task: 

The task assigned was to produce a (roughly) one minute long sequence on camera that we would use in-camera editing for. In a group of four, we had to stay on school premises and have a maximum of two characters on screen with added dialogue, or the scenes could be silent.
To plan this, we created a storyboard depicting the scenes of the upcoming product.

Our idea/The plot:

Our plan involved having two characters (Aliyah and Diana) to portray the roles of a teacher and a student. 

Diana (the student) was running late for her detention and her teacher (Aliyah) was beginning to grow impatient. 

The film shows Diana running down the corridor aiming to be on time and she reaches the classroom late for her detention.

Infuriated by Diana's response Aliyah issues Diana away.

Behind the scenes photography:

 1). The late arrival:

This shot depicts Diana arriving late to her detention.















2). Directing different scenes:

Here we see myself directing one scene with Allegria.

3). In camera editing scenes:

Here we see Allegria editing a scene through in camera editing.

4). Selfie with the crew

Roles:

Director: Myself (Jasmine King)

Camera Operator: Allegria Luyindula

Actors: Aliyah Al-Saud and Diana Adriano

Shown below is the final product.

Evaluation

I believe that together we were able to work well towards the completion of this task. The final product was edited exceptionally well by Allegria and I believe that this is an advantage because she was precise with editing each scene. There are advantages and disadvantages towards using in camera editing. In camera editing is efficient because it's quick and easy to use, however the disadvantages include it being quite difficult to position the camera in the same place when filming another scene.

AS1: Task 1: Editing in Early Cinema

Developments in Editing

Throughout time, editing became more and more advanced. When the idea of films were first introduced, editing was definitely limited and this is evidently shown in the film 'Sortie D'usine' (1895) made by The Lumiere Brothers. This film was shot through one scene and presented workers leaving a factory and then the scene ended.
We are able to see an enhancement in editing in the film: 'The Miller and the Sweep' where more characters were added to the shot and an 'action packed' scene commenced demonstrating a fight between two characters - after this, the scene ended.
'The Kiss in the Tunnel' is a depiction of when we begin to see editing in full force. Being shot only through three scenes, the film demonstrates the scene shot showing the train in motion, cutting straight to the two characters inside of the train showing the famous kiss. The scene then ends with the train exiting the tunnel.
Scenes became more advanced once more in the film; 'The Life of an American Fireman' where we see how the shots transition between two scenes creating point of views between both the fireman and the two victims trapped in the burning building. The rest of this blog is a continuation which presents changes made to editing in film over time.

Thomas Edison:   

The Kinetographic camera, as well as the Kinetoscope were invented in a laboratory which was ran by Thomas Edison. Although Edison is famously known for inventing the light bulb, he also developed the 35mm film strip that was used within the film industry and eventually went on to create a projector to play the film strip. 

The Lumiere Brothers:

Notably the first film ever made in 1895 was created by the Lumiere Brothers and was called: 'Sortie D'usine'. The brothers both produced very short films that were filmed through static shots or locked down shots. To satisfy the audience, motion was used in shots to demonstrate activity. Below is the film.



Sortie d'usine (1895):                 

Sortie d'usine is said to be the first film ever made by the Lumiere brothers in 1895. The film demonstrates a group of workers leaving a work factory. The scene doesn't include any cuts as it runs all the way through.

George Melies:

Previously a magician, Melies spent his free time watching films created by The Lumiere Brothers. Melies is credited for building a studio, writing scripts, designing film sets and the discovery of the basic camera tricks we continue to use today. Although he saw the possibilities of a novelty, Melies had discovered the editing skill; stop motion by accident when he broke his camera.                                 

                        

                           

                                                   The Vanishing Lady (1896):

Melies made the film; 'The Vanishing Lady' in 1896 and this is where we saw the technique of in-  camera editing. This was achieved by Melies winding a lever at an adequate pace (not too fast, not too slow) so that the edit would be successful.

We're able to see the edit occur in the film when a  blanket is placed over the actress. The next scene  cuts and then the actress is no longer visible.

The Impossible Voyage (1904):

                                                                             






Another film by Melies is The Impossible Voyage. This film presents colour shots as we see that the frames have been painted over to be able to produce this film in "colour".

G.A.Smith:

Before editing, every film ran for a period of time - just as long as there was a film strip inside of the camera. This is presented in the film: 'The Miller and the Sweep.' In Smith's other film (made in 1898), it was stated that the film was the premier of editing.

The Miller and the Sweep (1898):

Notably, one of Smith's other films was The Miller and the Sweep which depicted two protagonists (the Miller and the Sweep) both fighting each other right next to a windmill. The next scene demonstrates other characters coming into the scene and then chaos arises on screen.
                   



   

The Kiss in the Tunnel (1899):



The Kiss in the Tunnel - another one of Smith's films demonstrated how editing was able to cut from one scene to another and to another. Filmed through three shots, we see the developments in editing here

Edwin S. Porter:

Porter has definitely played a huge role in the establishing the aspects of motion picture language and has contributed tremendously to the film industry. Porter discovered that when filming - the screen image wouldn't need to show a person form head to toe in the shot. Porter

Porter significantly created the film 'The Great Train Robbery' (1903). This was notably Porter's major film debut and we see the first use of continuity editing.


Life of an American Fireman (1903):

 



Before Porter  worked alongside Edison, he      previously worked as  an electrician. Whilst  working with Edison, Porter  made the film: 'Life  of an American Fireman'  (1903). The film was  evidently made different to  others due to its  significant plot and action; i.e. to  rescuing people  in a burning building.

The Great Train Robbery (1903):

I have presented two versions of The Great Train Robbery. One version in black and white and the other version using colour. Following on from the previous films, we are able to notice the enhancement in editing











The coloured version of The Great Train Robbery was achieved by having each frame (for this particular scene) painted over accurately. This is known as a colour shot.

                                                                                                                                                     

Charles Pathe:

Charles Pathe created the film; 'The Horse that Bolted' (1907) where we are able to see the first use of parallel editing. Parallel editing is editing that is shot through two scenes at a different time. This is exemplified in the film when we see the delivery man was shot inside of a building, delivering a package and the horse was outside of the building waiting for the delivery man to come back. Shown below is the film.

The Horse That Bolted (1907):

D.W.Griffith

Being a major supporter of editing, Griffith used the technique of cross cutting. This presented parallel action used in different locations to create the effect of crossing between two different scenes at one time.

Griffith, being one of the earliest directors in the film industry first used editing techniques in the production of feature length films. An example of this would be when he created the film; 'The Birth of a Nation' (1915) shown below.

The Birth of a Nation (1915):

The Birth of a Nation was Griffith's first film he created and infuriated the populated Southern areas in America due to its racial discrimination against black people at the time. Its controversy made the film one of Griffith's most memorable film to date.