P3: Create the extract for an original TV programme or short film by applying post-production and editing techniques
Having captured all of the required production materials from the day of production, It was time to begin post-production in order to create the final product.
Firstly, I imported all of the footage that I wanted to use into Final Cut Pro X. I then dragged all of these clips into the timeline and chopped them up to the desired length. Here is what my timeline looked like with all of the shots in order:
Firstly, I imported all of the footage that I wanted to use into Final Cut Pro X. I then dragged all of these clips into the timeline and chopped them up to the desired length. Here is what my timeline looked like with all of the shots in order:
This simple sequence without transitions and editing works well as an offline edit to give an idea of how my final product may look. Here is this edited version of the project:
This edit turned out really well and the darkness of many of the shots conveys the dark and eerie atmosphere that I was trying to achieve to create tension for the audience.
For the most part I stuck to the storyboard in terms of the shots and editing sequence, and this worked out for the best as it means that the story is clear and easy to follow, and that the editing process was fairly easy. However, I did deviate from the storyboard in some areas. For example, where the "Killer" is introduced at timecode '1:46' in the video, I added multiple shots of the killer and his weapon as opposed to just the close up of his face that I outlined in the storyboard. This was to add tension by making the scene longer as well as showing the killers weapon which creates a sense of danger and fear within the audience.
For the most part I stuck to the storyboard in terms of the shots and editing sequence, and this worked out for the best as it means that the story is clear and easy to follow, and that the editing process was fairly easy. However, I did deviate from the storyboard in some areas. For example, where the "Killer" is introduced at timecode '1:46' in the video, I added multiple shots of the killer and his weapon as opposed to just the close up of his face that I outlined in the storyboard. This was to add tension by making the scene longer as well as showing the killers weapon which creates a sense of danger and fear within the audience.
I also included a scene not from the storyboard of the killer earlier in the film at the timecode of '1:28.' I did this in order to create the sense of tension and fear that is a staple convention of the thriller genre. This is the tension created by showing the threat to the audience early on while the characters in the scene remain oblivious to the threat. This follows Alfred Hitchcock's theory about suspense and cinematic tension that many dub the "Bomb under the table theory." This theory states that shocking audiences with a surprise threat as it strikes builds very little tension and delivers "10 seconds of shock." Whereas if we make the audience aware of the threat before the character's are aware of it and before it strikes, there is much greater tension and suspense created. Here is a video of Hitchcock explaining the concept:
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M2: Apply Video effects and titles and graphics to the materials
Having created my initial offline edit with all of my clips in sequence, I will now add sound, visual effects and transitions in order to create my finished product:
Transitions:
Transitions:
I began by adding the transitions to the timeline, as this would help all of the shots in the sequence lead into each other in a much neater and more interesting visual manner. For this project I used three main types of transitions:
Cross Dissolves are great for smooth transitions between two shots without being as jarring as a cut.
Cuts are great for high action and fast paced scenes as they are quick and snappy. They also require very minimal effort, as they need no transition effects to be added. Cuts are done simply by placing two clips next to each other in the timeline.
I began by adding the fades:
- Fades
- Cross Dissolves
- Cuts
Cross Dissolves are great for smooth transitions between two shots without being as jarring as a cut.
Cuts are great for high action and fast paced scenes as they are quick and snappy. They also require very minimal effort, as they need no transition effects to be added. Cuts are done simply by placing two clips next to each other in the timeline.
I began by adding the fades:
In terms of fades, I only added one for this one scene as I felt it was a good way to shift the scene from a more light hearted atmosphere while the actress is walking home to a more sinister one where it is implied that someone is "Stalking" her. This shift comes with the music being replaced for more ambient and eerie atmospheric sounds.
I felt too many fades would end up being visually uninteresting and would take away from the pace of the film.
I felt too many fades would end up being visually uninteresting and would take away from the pace of the film.
I then continued by adding cross dissolves:
I added a few cross-dissolves here simply by dragging the transition effects from the final cut pro x transition library into the timeline between the shots that I wanted to use it for.
I used this a couple of times at the beginning of the film, as this was a more slow paced scene and the scenes worked well dissolving into each other. This means that the sequence progresses smoothly, which connotes to the audience that the walk home for the characters goes smoothly and easily.
The majority of the transitions in this piece are cuts as these allow for the pace of the film to stay fast and in accordance with the length of the shots. This works especially well with the lead up to the climax towards the end of the film, as I have cut up many shorter shots to give the impression of a faster paced scene. This connotes a sense of immediate danger and imminent action, which helps to quickly build tension to the climax.
I used this a couple of times at the beginning of the film, as this was a more slow paced scene and the scenes worked well dissolving into each other. This means that the sequence progresses smoothly, which connotes to the audience that the walk home for the characters goes smoothly and easily.
The majority of the transitions in this piece are cuts as these allow for the pace of the film to stay fast and in accordance with the length of the shots. This works especially well with the lead up to the climax towards the end of the film, as I have cut up many shorter shots to give the impression of a faster paced scene. This connotes a sense of immediate danger and imminent action, which helps to quickly build tension to the climax.
Visual Filters:
Having added transitions, I will now add the many visual filters that I plan to use for this film. I want to add various visual filters in order to help create the dark and eerie atmosphere that is set up by the locations, time of day and plot of the film.
The first visual effects that I added were adding "Cool tones" :
The first visual effects that I added were adding "Cool tones" :
I added this "Cool Tones" effect from the Final Cut Pro X effects library by simply dragging the effect over the footage and adjusting the levels to create the dark and cold atmosphere that I wanted. Above you can see me applying the effect to the initial footage and how it looks before and after.
I applied this effect to a few shots in this scene, as it keeps the imagery and atmosphere consistent, and conforms to the conventional "dark and cold" look of many Thriller and horror films. I decided to conform to this convention as it helps to identify this film as a thriller piece. Furthermore, the "Cold" blue tones connote not only that the location is cold, which fits with my character's outfits of big coats, but also connotes a serious and dark story.
I applied this effect to a few shots in this scene, as it keeps the imagery and atmosphere consistent, and conforms to the conventional "dark and cold" look of many Thriller and horror films. I decided to conform to this convention as it helps to identify this film as a thriller piece. Furthermore, the "Cold" blue tones connote not only that the location is cold, which fits with my character's outfits of big coats, but also connotes a serious and dark story.
Having added the cooler tone filters, I wanted to add a "Camcorder" effect to the scene where the female character is being followed. Here is how I did this:
This was a similar process to adding the "Cool Tones" effect, where I simply dragged the "Camcorder" effect from Final Cut Pro X's effects library over the clip and adjusted some elements such as the border of the camcorder. I also removed the word "CAM" from the corner as I thought this was tacky and unnecessary for the shot.
I felt that the camcorder effect alone was good, but more distinction was necessary so that the viewer could tell that this was a view from a separate character who was "Stalking" the main female character. To achieve this I added the "50's TV" effect from Final Cut Pro X's library. This effect added a black and white filter to the shot which I felt was good as it made it look like this sequence was being filmed through an old camera in black and white.
I felt that the camcorder effect alone was good, but more distinction was necessary so that the viewer could tell that this was a view from a separate character who was "Stalking" the main female character. To achieve this I added the "50's TV" effect from Final Cut Pro X's library. This effect added a black and white filter to the shot which I felt was good as it made it look like this sequence was being filmed through an old camera in black and white.