How editing compliments lighting and camera work

When starting my editing for my short film, I had to think about the type of editing techniques I wanted to use to ensure that the final edit came out the best it could. This allowed me to have an experience with Final Cut Pro so that I could adjust and change certain aspects of scenes. 

Within the editing of my short film, I had discovered how editing helps and compliments the use of lighting and camera work. This is shown in the following:

• When the student's room is has gone black. 

In this image, we can clearly see that I had wanted to get a top view of the protagonist looking around and looking frustrated with what's going on. When setting up the equipment, I had to find a appropriate place to put the tripod and set up the camera. This allowed me to have a variety of options in Final Cut Pro to change the camera work if I had wanted to. For example, if the scene was not straight, I would have used the rotation tool to get it to where I had wanted. In regards to the lighting, I was able to utilise the brightness of the screens to help compliment the camera work and editing. In the image we can clearly see that I had adjusted the opacity to try and get a darker environment for the audience to connote that the classroom has just gone dark. Here we can see how using editing compliments lighting and camera work to make a short film better. 

• Placing two scenes together (Camera - Lighten & opacity)

In this image we can clearly see that I had wanted to combine two clips together to create a better and more interesting experience for the audience. When filming these clips I had used a camera and my iPhone. I was then able to attach it onto a tripod to get a more stable view. When putting this into Final Cut Pro, I was able to use the blend mode feature and change it to lighten and change the lighting of the scene by using the opacity feature. This is shown in the image above. These editing techniques complimented the lighting and camera work better as I was able to enhance what was happening in the scene. Therefore, I was able to make the overall short film more engaging for the audience.

 

• Bell (Stabilisation & adjusting the lighting)

In this image we can see that I had filmed a scene where there was a bell going off. When I was filming this scene on the camera, I was not able to change the settings to make it more stable or make it dimmer. This was because I only had limited time on the camera and I would have not been able to film it if I had spent time figuring out the settings. However, with the use of Final Cut Pro, I was able to find a stabilisation setting and I was able to adjust the lighting. The image of showing how I did this is in the picture above. By being able to adjust and change these settings I was then able to get the effect I had wanted to in the beginning of my production. Therefore this clearly shows us how editing has complimented lighting and camera work. 

• Student telling the audience it wasn't him (Distort/Gaussian & Blend mode) 

In the images above, we can see that the protagonist is telling the person watching and the audience that it wasn't him. When filming this scene I was able to use my iPhone was able to use the stabilisation feature on there. When putting this in Final Cut Pro, I was able to use the distort feature and used a gaussian mode to make the scene blurry at different points. I was able to use the blend mode again to make the lighting of this scene more effective. As a result of using these techniques, the editing had complimented the lighting and camera work. 

• Ending scene (Keying & opacity) 

In the images above, we can see that it is the ending scene of the film and this is where the door started to open. When filming this scene I was able to use the camera to get the best resolution possible. When putting this in Final Cut Pro, I was able to use the keying and opacity feature to make the scene realistic. For example, by using these features I was able to make the scene a little more brighter so that the audience can see what was really going on. As a result of using these techniques, the editing had complimented the lighting and camera work. 

The use of cinematography

When looking at my short film: "Screens", I had used a variety of different components and equipment to produce cinematography. The reason for having these resources to produce a section of cinematography was trying to ensure that I had gotten the viewers attention and engage them as much as possible. For that reason I had decided to use cinematography at the beginning of my short film. In the pictures below it clearly shows where I had decided to set up the equipment and resources for cinematography:

Here we can see that I had set up a variety of different equipment such as:

• Light panels 

Using the light panels, I was able to control where the lights were going to ensure that I can get as much exposure to the protagonist at the beginning of the film. 

• Reflector panel

 The reason why I had decided to use this piece of equipment was due to the light panels being in limited supply. This means that I was not able to get as much exposure as I wanted, however after finding the reflector panel, I was then able to utilise this to produce cinematography. 

• Three point lighting

When looking at the picture above, you can clearly see that I had used the technique of three-point lighting. By being able to use this technique to expand the light in certain areas, specifically in the background. 

By being able to use these different types of equipment, I was able to help enhance the scenes and make the viewer engage with the short film. 

Throughout my short film, there were a number of different scenes that focussed on different camera angles, different lighting and mise-en-scne. This is shown in the clips below:

By being able to focus on cinematography, I was able to make the audience more engaged with the short film and therefore made the film more interesting. 

Production Week 13

 

Post production tools

When I was editing my first and final edits, one tool that I had used was the trimming tool. This was because the beginning of the clips used was not necessary. This is why I was able to use the trimming tool to ensure that I was able to use the portion of the clip I had needed. This is shown in the picture below:

Another technique that I had used in my edits was the use of adding in different sound tracks. This was because I had wanted to build on suspense and be able to introduce the film. In order for me to use this, I was able to insert all of the tracks I had needed by dragging them in. This had allowed me to place them where I had needed to. This is shown in the picture below:

Another editing tool that I had used in my short film was eliminating the sound in some of the video clips. This was because in those clips, there was recorded audio that was not needed in my drafts as I was able to put in my own audio. This is shown in the clips below:

Another editing tool that I had to use in my edits was changing the colour correction. This was because some of the scenes were too bright and I needed to adjust them. I did this by dragging and changing the colour correction to make it suit my short film. This is shown in the pictures below:

Finally another editing tool I had used in my edits was adding in gifs for making the hacking parts more realistic. I had done this by inserting the picture from the computer and therefore moving it to where I needed to. This is shown in the picture below:

Export format

When I had finished off my final edit, I had to export the format and upload it onto YouTube. The format I had chosen to upload my video was as a .mov file. I chose the Apple ProRes codec as it preserves as much quality as possible. Compared to H.264 which compresses the footage. I chose to export it as a 4K video due to the footage being shot in 4K. 

Production Week 12

 

Evidence when using lighting equipment

When creating my short film, I had used a variety of different lighting equipment to help improve scenes and make it more engaging for the viewer. This is shown in the picture below.

Furthermore, I was able to adjust the light panels and ensure that all of the light was reflecting on the protagonist. This was because it had allowed the viewers to feel more engaged with the short film and was able to pay their attention to the main character. This is shown in the picture below.

Furthermore, when using the lighting equipment I was able to use a reflective panel to bounce out the lighting. This had allowed me to ensure that there was a lot of exposure of light in the scene. This is shown in the picture below. 

Changes I had to make during my storyboard during production

When I was filming my short film, one thing that had occurred was that I was not able to control all of the screens I had wanted. This is because the computers had only allowed me to use my login for only 3 computers. When I had tried to login into other computers it wasn't allowing me to do so. This had impacted my storyboard and for that reason I had to change the amount of screens I had wanted to use in my final draft. These are shown in the images below.

Another change I had to make was the ending of my short film. Instead of the actors looking at each other, the feedback I had gotten from my teacher influenced the ending of the short film. Due to me liking the idea the teacher had told me, I had to change my ending which changed the storyboard. This is shown in the pictures below.

Feedback and self reflection from focus group

 

Focus group

 

Focus group questions

Before showcasing my final edit to a focus group, I have decided to come up with some questions to ask them so that I can collect the correct feedback I need. Some of the questions I will need to ask are:

1. What did you like about my short film? 
2. What did you dislike about it? 
3. What were the strengths?
4. What was the weaknesses?
5. What would you improve about the short film?
6. Do you think the sequence of events were clear?
7. Do you think the sounds that I used helped build up suspense?
8. Did you like the different camera angles that I used?
9. What was your opinions on the actors?
10. Was the audio loud enough for you to hear what the actors were saying?

Final edit

 

Production Week 11

 

Camera settings and explanation

Generic conventions and meanings

Cinematic techniques

When creating my short film, I wanted to ensure that my film can be analysed in different ways so that it can create different effects for the audience. This is where I had used different cinematic techniques. Cinematic techniques are ways in which the film presents images to the audience so that it can change the audiences perception of them. I was able to use this technique by using the following conventions:

• Props

In my short film, I had used a variety of different props to help showcase and make it more engaging for the audience. For example, I was able to utilise the use of the old screens in the "Gallery" in the classroom. From this I was able to create suspense. Therefore this reflects on the cinematic techniques of the genres horror and tension within my short film. Also, before creating my short film, I was inspired by a scene of the "Incredibles". This scene is shown below:

From this scene I was able to learn how screens had placed a massive part in finding out the truth but how it plays a vital role in creating suspense. I had wanted to use this and adapt this scene into my own which is shown below:

From this, we can see I had tried to attempt the same effect as they did with the film "Incredibles". 

• Costumes

In my short film, I had used very few costumes to try and present to the audience that the film had taken place in school. This had allowed the storyline to remain clear and make it easier for the audience to understand. This reflects on the cinematic techniques of the genre of non-fiction. Before I had started my production of my short film, I was able to look at a variety of films to help me try and create an easy experience for the audience to enjoy. For example I had used the film "Ready player one". I had wanted to use this and adapt a particular scene into my own which is shown below: 

This is where the audience were able to see the type of equipment and costume that is needed to be worn to play the game. This is the type of meaning I had wanted to create which is shown in the clip below. This clip shows the protagonist in school uniform which is needed in order for the student to be allowed in the school.

• Cinematography

In my short film, I had used a variety of different cinematography techniques to try and present to the audience that the film had taken a dark turn. This had allowed the storyline to have suspense within it and made it engaging for the audience. This reflects on the cinematic techniques of the genre of horror. Before I had started my production of my short film, I was able to look at a variety of films to help me try and create an suspenseful experience for the audience to enjoy. For example I had used the film "The Elevator". I had wanted to use this and adapt a particular scene (which is the scene where the lighting had changed from light to red flashes) into my own which is shown below: 

From looking at this scene, I had wanted to create a similar effect for the audience I had been asked to target to. This is shown in the clips below: 

• Sound 

In my short film, I had used a variety of different sound to try and present to the audience that the film had taken a variety of different turns. This had allowed the storyline to have suspense within it and made it engaging for the audience. This reflects on the cinematic techniques of the genre of horror. Before I had started my production of my short film, I was able to look at a variety of films to help me try and create an suspenseful experience for the audience to enjoy. For example I had used the film "Avengers End Game". I had wanted to use this and adapt a particular scene (Showing Tony Stark has died) into my own which is shown below: 

From looking at this scene, I had felt inspired and made a suspenseful scene which increased the genre of horror which is shown below: 

• Settings and locations

In my short film, I had used very few locations to try and present to the audience that the film had taken in a school. This had allowed the storyline to be clear for the audience. This reflects on the cinematic techniques of the genre of non-fiction. Before I had started my production of my short film, I was able to look at a variety of films to help me try and create an suspenseful experience for the audience to enjoy. For example I had used the film "Ready Player One".  

After watching this, I had felt inspired and made a decision of filming in a school environment so that all audiences can relate to being at school. 

Lighting techniques explanation

Lighting techniques

Sound editing explanation

Visual editing explanation

Production Week 10