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.