AS G321: Editing Journal

In this blogpost I am going to be discussing what Sophie and I focused on during the post production. For example, we incorporated various editing skills within our opening and we spent short periods of time deciding which effect would look the most professional and creepy, to reflect the horror genre. 

Session 1

In Session 1, we spent our time familiarising ourselves with what Adobe Premiere Pro included and what features we used in our preliminary task that we thought would help us in our main production. This is what we did in that hour:

• We chose what footage was going to be the best for our final edit and moved it to a new folder specific for our Main Task. 
• Opened a new project and inserted the media footage in so that we could have the order ready for next time. 
• We saved the project so far and put it into a file on the desktop that held all our Main Task footage and images. 
• We decided to create various folders for this particular project, because files are easier to find as it is tidy and neat. 

The folders we created and used during post-production

Session 2

In Session 2, we focussed on montage editing meaning cutting up the film and editing it into the screened sequence (2:00). We also made sure there was continuity between each transition to ensure it looks efficient. This is how we carried it out:

• Sophie and I started marking the footage in and out so that we could ensure the clip was sufficient enough to meet the maximum time. 
• After trimming it, the edit was 1 minute, however, we had not altered speed or added any transitions, so we were pleased at the outcome.
• We continued repositioning the footage so that it demonstrated continuity and made sure there was a range of camera shots. 
• The camera angles/shots included, mid-shots, close-ups, POV's, Cut in's etc.
• We then rendered the footage in and out.
• The project was then saved as a copy in the 'edited version' folder.

We used Adobe Premiere Pro CS6

Session 3

In Session 3, we had our first check-in with our teacher who gave us constructive feedback on what we needed to do next in order to improve. 

{PICTURE OF CHECK IN SHEET}

{DISCUSS WHAT WAS SAID}

In the upcoming seasons we continued improving and altering the film opening while going back and forth to our focus group for feedback. Below considers all the editing techniques Sophie and I incorporated within the final production.

Transitions

• The only transitions we used between each scene was a dip to black and a cut. 
• We used a cut transition because helps the scenes flow more effectively, especially when your alternating between camera shots. For example, one scene is shot at mid-shot and then next is a close-up.
• A dip to black transition was the most used within our production purely because, it introduces silence and mostly creates tension. This is effective as it can be used a lot in horror films as they have the aspect of surprise and the unexpected. 
• We did try out other transitions but we came to a conclusion that they wouldn't work with our chosen genre. For example, a 'wipe' looked too smooth against the narrative subverting the typical convention of this genre, so that's why we went for something darker and more mystifying. 

  

The darkness represented within the horror genre

Lighting

After we had spoken to our focus group, Sophie and I came to the conclusion of making the colour more rich and enhancing the shadows to indicate horror. On the filming day we didn't have a key light so we agreed on using the coffee shop lighting as our main source which had a yellow and warm tone. However, this made it harder edit on Adobe as the warm feel wasn't easy to manipulate due to it not being a separate layer. 

• The only light source in the last scene was the laptop brightness. The contrast shades determine the creepiness of the stalker who is supposedly hidden in the darkness, and how he reveals himself through technology. 

Sound/Audio

We muted the original ambient sound that was produced as it was very over powering and took much attention away from the scene.

• We used non-diegetic suspenseful music to emphasise the reality of what was happening.
• We controlled the volume of the audio by making it softer and louder in certain areas. When we felt there was a scene that the audience should pay close attention to we would gradually increase he volume of the soundtrack. 
• The audio is parallel with the pace, especially where the credits begin to fade in (speed/duration).
• The only dialogue we had in our production was when AVA is on the phone to her friend organising a night out. It as a causal conversation with a friendly tone. The actress had a british accent.
• A sound bridge was incorporated where the thunder and rain sound increased in volume, and where the 'stalker' is typing the letter. 
• Naturalistic sounds were used (weather) to create verisimilitude which is perfect for the horror genre to create a realistic atmosphere for the audience. 
• Synchronous sound of the laptop typing. 

Lastly during the editing of this production, Sophie & I decided to keep the first scene focused on Ava and what she was doing. This long duration shot allows the audience to focus their attention on the female character understanding her facial expressions, what she is wearing, how old she is etc. If this scene were more fast paced like other horror openings, these details would be missed and therefore, leaving the audience in confusion.