Editing Techniques

There are many ways to edit for film, and many purposes at the same time. The purposes of editing for film and television are the following:

Manipulating time

Editing in film and television does many things with time, including speeding up time, slowing down time, compressing and stretching time. The manipulation of time would be found within montage edits. You find many montage films within the sports genre, for example, Rocky includes plenty of montages within Rocky training to become the best

Perception of space
This helps the audience orientate themselves, and gives a logical sense that neither characters or objects share the same shot.

Controlling rhythm
The purpose of controlling rhythm is to either build up excitement or to make a shot more thoughtful. For example, an exciting build up would suggest rapid pacing and therefore suggest shorter shots. And the slower, less rapid pacing in an edit would suggest there isn't a build up of excitement pending, and would suggest a relaxing feel.

Functions of editing include:
Development of drama
Withholding and providing information
Creating motivation to further the narrative

There are plenty of editing techniques in film, many have their own symbolic meaning within a film, these include:

Continuity
The first editing technique that is used in the vast majority of films, is continuity editing. Continuity editing is the process of combining related shots in a scene to create a logical sequence. For example, a continuity edit could have a character opening a door on one shot, cut, then the continuity would be the door opening. The effect this has is that it deceives the consumer into thinking that the shot was smooth and continuous and will believe its all in one take, yet there has been a transition in shots.

Non-continuity
This is when shots are mismatched and disturbs the consumers view of a realistic film. This opposes to the continuity edit, as in a continuous edit the illusion of reality is there. An example of non-continuity editing in film is the use of flashbacks.

Creating meaning within editing
Juxtaposing elements within editing-  In film this is where you place two elements side by side and letting the audience compare them. This can compare and contrast two elements and create a sense of irony, humor or sadness.
Creating empathy with a character- Editing within a film can cause

Engagement
Editing can be used to engage the audience through tension, creating suspense and pace.

Create Meaning
Editing creates meaning by juxtaposing elements, creating an empathetic feeling towards a character, as well as bias, seen for example in a documentary. First of all, I will analyse Battleship Potemkin, released in 1925 and directed by Sergei Eisenstein. This film was one of the most influential silent films of its time, receiving fame and plaudits globally. In this film, Russia's political and economical side play numerous parts, shaping and dictating what its like today. The Odessa steps sequence begins with sailors being cheered on by common people, before being extinguished and seemingly under siege by attackers from on top of the stairs. The audience struggles to accept what is happening in the film, as they are unsure what may be going on at the other side of the staircase, this is similar to the characters feelings who was in shock as to what may be going on. Eisenstein uses montage to show the devastation as to what has happened, this particular type of edit is used to show political agitation within the movie.

Parallel editing
Parallel editing is the technique of editing two or more scenes that happen simultaneously but in different locations. If the events are simultaneous, they will usually take place in a single location, where the characters will confront each other. In the scene from 'Way Down East', parallel editing is used to keep the audience intrigued, to keep them on edge. The struggle of the main character is shown in the camera work and then the force of the waterfall. This is followed by the panning towards the waterfall, showing its force and power in the situation, whereas the woman, stumbling over the ice, looks vulnerable at this point in time. Parallel editing is used in 'The silence of the lambs' to show the intensity of the murder scene via shots of the police. This used for the effect of the audience, again to keep them on edge, to make them feel tense and worry towards the police in this scenario. This scene helps pace the narrative, yet, in addition to this, adds suspense as to what will actually happen, it keeps their eyes peeled to the screen.

Montage
A montage in film is where a set of short videos are edited together, usually supported by background music. This technique is used to compress time, space and information. The effect of montage editing is to give the audience key information that they may not have understood. The most well known montage film is 'Rocky'. In Rocky, it shows months upon months of training to get to the next level to be able to fight, this is crammed into a montage lasting only minutes. This is compressing time as it shows months of work in minutes, giving the audience all the information they need in that time. Montages are used to show a main character overcoming a problem or conflict, and is also commonly shown in the 'Creed' trilogies. The clip taken from Team America is similar to that of a Rocky montage, however the montage from Team America is a copy of Rocky, meaning the creators of Team America have copied the Rocky montage for comedic purposes. The montage in Team America is used for the same purpose and effect as the Rocky montage, to show clear progress of the centre character in the narrative. The montage in this film is unusual, keeping the audience entertained by the progress and the growth of the character in the narrative, as well as the comedy on the side, which you don't tend to see in montage. The quick cuts and jump edits are used to show character progress and, moreover, for the entertainment of the viewer. The added background music is used for comedic effect. This is unusual in montage as the main purpose is to keep the audience on edge, and feel tension throughout.

Commissioning

Commissioning editor- A person who decides to commission any given idea, decides the budget and takes control of the project
Producer- Admin, financing, cast and crew
Director- A person who takes control of the script
Script editor- Identify problems within a script
Agents- Work for the actors and writers, they work in the industry, knows legal ramifications (cannot represent yourself) they also get the best possible deal for their clients
Writers- solo writer (free lance) writing teams, writers signed onto a specific company (could be tweaking script or changing it, not the most efficient way to write a film or TV show, writing to a formula that hasn't been set) the vast majority are free lance

Commissioning bodies

• corporations- tough to get commissioned if not established and are unproven (BBC however give up and coming writers a chance to air a show)
• independent production companies
• independent directors
• organisations- BBC writing room, the writers guild of Great Britain
• competitions- good way to get recognised if unknown

The screen writing process- once in production a script moves to shooting format

film proposal

Film synopsis:

For my short film, I will create a failed heist. This will include the robbers attempting to find a way into the heist, however investigators will be on the same wave length as them. They will track them and take them down.

Logline:

The film will begin before the scene of a robbery, and will include cuts of the robbers scoping out a bank to try and plan their attack. The start of the film will include investigations as to what happened in the robbery, this will be shot in a dark room with very low lighting. There will be 3 investigators round a computer, who will watch the cctv video of the robbers in the bank, from this they will catch the robber by doing a series of tasks.

Structure 

Act 1: For the first 3 minutes of the film, all characters will be introduced to the screen, as in all investigators will be introduced, as well as those who attempt to pull off the robbery.
Act 2: The conflict: The conflict will be the investigators watching the video of the robbery and how it all happens.
Act 3: The investigators will set out as a team to begin the hunt for the robbers and take them down once they've found the culprits.

Characters:

The characters in my film will have some logic behind them. i.e the investigators will outnumber the robbers and the investigators will be bigger than the robbers. My first investigator will be Josh. This is because he a big man, a rugby player and would without a doubt take a robber to the ground, therefore he is a perfect choice. My next investigator will be Luke. This is because Luke is again a tall and dominant character, who could take on a robber. Finally, my last investigator will be Rob. This is because he has quite a dominant figure, and his tall stance will dominate those who are robbers. For my robbers, i need to make them the opposite of the investigators with height. So, my first robber will be Joe. This is because he is rather small in comparison to those who are investigating, therefore it makes sense. And my final robber will be Jack. Again, this is because in comparison to the investigators, he doesn't quite match up to them in terms of size.

Investigators

Richardson (Josh)
Johnson (Luke)
Henderson (Rob)

Robbers

Oliver (Jack)
Reeves (Joe)

Film Treatment

Mr Oliver and Dr. Reeves are setting out to do their biggest mission yet, they're ready to take down a bank. However, the three investigators, Professor Johnson, Richardson and Henderson are on the same wave length as the robbers and have been tracking them for an age. The professors have been gathering information, finding everything there is to find. Once they find the CCTV footage of them scoping out the bank, they begin to track every move they make, and attempt to take them down at the next possible opportunity. After a document leaks online of their schedule to strike the bank, the investigators grab a hold of it, and meet them there.

Target Audience

My target audience is between the ages 16-30. I know this because this is the most popular age range for action films, and the fact that it contains mild violence makes it suitable for this range, and not particularly suitable for those under the age of 16. The project fits well with this demographic as, through research this is the perfect age for this film, as it interests them the most.

storyboards

Video Game Storyboard

This is my final video game storyboard covering my film. In my storyboard it shows a series of quests that the player can partake in, for example in the second cell of the first example, the player can take 1 of 2 options, to take up the investigators offer and take down the robbers or to reject the offer and do it in a later date. The video game would also include dialogue, which would help those who may have hearing difficulties, or those who couldn't understand what was being said on screen. The final challenge gives the player the option to choose their difficulty, which is similar to most games, when the player gets to choose how hard or how easy they want the game to be. My video game will include more close ups and medium close ups as opposed to the film, due to the amount of cut scenes including conversation. For the ending scene, the conflict, it would include tracking shots, due to the main characters, the investigators, searching for the robbers and tracking them down. 



Film Storyboard

The storyboards above are the film storyboards. The first storyboard is the introduction to the film, the characters and the setting of the scene. The first 3 cells on the storyboard introduces all 5 characters, these being the investigators and the robbers and also the setting of where the most important scene plays out. In the final 3 cells, it shows the planning out and the strategy of the investigators and how they're going to take down their enemy. Throughout my storyboards, it shows what camera angles will be used throughout my short movie. In the 2nd storyboard, this is the planning process of the film where those investigating attempt to find a way to edge out the robbers and find out more about them. In these cells the majority is negotiation between the investigators, who ultimately are aiming to agree on a way to find about their rival. In this part of the storyboard, there are minimal shot types, and don't tend to differentiate, due to the fact that the investigators will be in discussion, therefore shot types won't need to vary, as opposed to when action happens a variation of shots would be required. In the 3rd storyboard, it comes to the end of the short film and the conclusion where both parties meet, the conflict. In this storyboard, there is a variety of shots, varying from extreme close ups, to extreme long shots. The reasoning for this is because these scenes include a lot of action, and the action can be caught from afar as well as up close.  

Music Video

For my music video storyboards I followed the basis of my film but adapted it to be a more fast flowing video, depending on genre. My film and music video are alike as they both carry out the same shots and have the same beginning and ending, however the music video would be carried out in a faster pace, this being investigators being more forceful. The editing wouldn't necessarily be continuity in a music video, as some shots tend to vary in placement.

   



master scene script

Script anderson from tomanderson01

CV

Thomas Anderson
10 Lanton Street, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH4 7BA
Tel: 07480 610 254 Email: twanderson@live.co.uk

Personal statement

A friendly, loyal and dedicated individual, ambitious in succeeding in any given environment. Comfortable working as an individual and part of a team, strive to work at a high standard and exceed expectations. Currently studying Creative Media Production Level 3 at Bede College. Seeking part time employment in order to gain valuable experience.
Education


City of Sunderland College
(2017)
Currently working towards BTEC level 3 in Creative Media Production

Farringdon Community Academy
(2012- 2017)

Grades:

English Language: 5
Mathematics: 4
French: C
ECDL: A*
Science: D
P.E: D
R.E: D
Business Studies: D
English Literature: 3
Key Skills



* Advanced Problem Solving and Numeracy Skills, gained by analysing and evaluating problems and making decisions, also working with numerical information, drawing conclusions and explaining findings.
* Accomplished communication skills, both written and verbal, developed through numerous essays and presentations given during my time at school/college
* Ability to take the initiative and work well under pressure, ensuring strict deadlines are met, successfully demonstrated during a work experience placement project
* Flexibility, whilst maintaining enthusiasm and commitment to each task
* Proficiency in all areas of Microsoft Office, including Access, Excel, Word and PowerPoint

Experience

I have had vast amounts of experience commentating and presenting college football games. During these games, i would do a live, running commentary of chances, goals and anything of interest to the public in a football match. I did this over a 5 week period, and there are screenshots on the show reel.

I also have experience with writing post match reports. My post match reports were from games outside of the college commentary, but instead with games I watched outside of college times. An example of this is my post match report of the Borussia Dortmund game I went to, there are screenshots on the show reel.



I was a member of a team of volunteers (Project Gambia) who visited The Gambia in December 2016. During my visit I supported a number of under-privileged men, women and children. My aim was to improve the quality of life of these families and also the wider community through providing them with clothes, shoes and gardening utensils. I also provided First Aid workshops, raised funds to provide wells for clean drinking water and delivered arts and craft workshops in local schools and nurseries. I also provided resources to ensure that these activities could be continued after our departure. I independently created a plan for a school sports day, this included producing a timetable, planning fun activities and delivering these which encouraged the local community to participate.


In recognition of my efforts with Project Gambia I gained a Platinum Youth Achievement Award.


I am currently working towards an FA Level 1 Football Coaching Certificate; this will enable me to instruct and guide young individuals/teams to improve their skills and knowledge within the sport.
Hobbies & Interests


Playing football
Cycling
Blog writing

show reel

I did two match reports for games I attended, the first of which being Sunderland v Blackpool, displayed below.

The second game being Borussia Dortmund v TSG Hoffenheim, a game I attended in Germany back in February.







The next piece to add is my in game commentary. I did this whilst watching college football teams, and would comment on anything specific that happened. For example, a goal or a missed opportunity.