Project #1: Drawing Sequence
Step one: Organizing the Footage
Step two: Cutting the Intro Sequence
I wanted to make sure that the tutorial did not feel rushed. The intro sequence highlighted the skills the tutorial would cover as well as the materials that will be needed. I wanted the viewer to become familiar with what they will be learning instead of throwing them right into it.
I felt it was unnecessary to create an intro any longer to highlight the required materials. The intro is very straightforward and east to understand, which is important when creating a tutorial.
In order to make the intro flow, I decided to cut each clip to the beat of the background music. I find that when cuts go with the beat of the music it makes it fun and satisfying to watch, which is why I decided to use this idea for the intro of the tutorial. Each cut gives the viewer enough time to comprehend what is being shown in the clip.
Step three: On-screen Text
I felt it was necessary to include the text on-screen as the narrator spoke. When the narrator discusses the time intervals in which the artist should practice drawing faces and hands, she goes at quite a fast pace. Having the words she was saying on the screen as she spoke made it easy to keep up with and remember what was being said.
Step four: Breaks in the Audio
I made sure to add breaks in the audio between steps so the viewer has time to process what was just said. The original audio is quite fast-paced and would be too fast for a tutorial in which the viewer is trying to learn and keep up with the video.
The breaks in the audio keep the tutorial going at a steady pace without going too fast or too slow. Having these breaks makes it easier for the viewer to pause too. Pausing during these breaks ensures that the viewer will not miss anything spoken in the tutorial.
Step five: Audio and Visual Cohesion
In most cases when watching a tutorial, the viewer wants to learn how to do something. Listening to instruction as well as looking at a visual aid makes for an easy learning experience.
I made it a point to make sure the clip being used, whether it was a video or image, matched whatever was being spoken in the audio.
1:12-1:17
For example, when she says "Feel free to draw yourself in the mirror", I made sure to include a clip of the instructor looking at herself in the mirror. I decided to emphasize that point by zooming in on this clip.
1:49-1:52
In this clip she says "Take breaks midway through...". I made sure to include a clip of the instructor taking a break from drawing just as she says to do. The clip is also placed about midway through the tutorial, which matches what the audio says.
Project #2: O.T.E. Narrative
Step one: Organizing the Footage
When I was digesting the footage for this project, I had to figure out a smart way to organize it. Since there was so much footage and many different takes, I decided to split it up sequentially. I did so using colors to split up my footage into different parts, which is labeled on both the script and the editor's log. Within the color-coded groups, I labeled each take with a green marker (usable footage) or blue (unusable footage).
Step two: Establishing Storyline & Characters
In a narrative, establishing the main characters and their story arch is essential. I decided to add in shots where Mikey expresses his personality because the audience learns the conflict. It is important that my audience feels connected to Mikey before the rest of the story unfolds
(beginning shots of Mikey)
(0:00-3:26)
Step three: Creating Drama and Suspense
There are many moments of silence throughout the short film, especially in the beginning. I had to make some stylistic choices to make sure there were not awkward silences or any scenes that dragged on too long.
Throughout the film, I found myself using J-cuts. I really liked the way they turned out, especially with the footage I received. I felt as though it kept the story moving at a perfect pace. It also created the suspense that I wanted to include.
(5:50-6:05)
Step four: Creating a Connection
An extremely important aspect of this project was to portray a building connection between Mikey and Will. If this connection was not clear to the audience, the storyline would not make sense.
An extremely essential scene was the introduction of Will. I had to portray to the audience that Mikey trusted Will. If that was not established early on in the film, the audience would not understand why Mikey would leave his house to go on an adventure with Will.
I also felt that the walking scene was important. This sequence of shots was a bit longer than other sequences throughout the film because I felt that the audience could understand a real connection and trust between the two boys. It also shows each of their personalities and how they complement each other, despite just meeting.
Step five: Cleaning Up Sequences
After cutting all of the scenes as I wanted, I went back and it back closely to catch any mistakes I've made.
Since the film starred children, there were many things to look out for. Such as the director yelling out commands or the kids looking at the camera.
After watching it over a few times, I decided that everything flowed properly and the story unfolding as I wanted. Since I was the editor, I had a friend watch it through to make sure the storyline made sense.
Project #3: Spiderman Trailer
Step one: Watching the Film and Taking Notes
To prepare to edit the trailer, I watched the film twice. The purpose of the first watch was to understand the storyline. The purpose of second watch was to take notes, pay close attention to details, and think about what I want to include in my trailer.
When taking notes, I wrote down the time stamp and what was going on in that scene. I made sure to highlight the scenes I really liked and scenes that felt essential to the storyline
Step two: Organizing the Footage
There are five elements to a trailer: the cold open, act one, act two, act three, and the button. Each element are essential to a trailer as it show the audience just enough of the film, without spoiling the ending, to get them hooked.
With a lot of trial and error, I was able to come up with an order of sequences that I felt told enough of the story.
- Cold open: Open on introduction of original Spiderman and cut to Miles to establish there is more than one Spiderman.
- Act 1: Establish villain and conflict. Miles and Peter meet. Peter decided to train Miles to be Spiderman.
- Act 2: Introduce other Spidermen/women from other dimensions. They join forces to close to multi-dimension portal.
- Act 3: Action sequence. Miles becomes a hero.
- Button: Cut to a funny scene that shows personality and Miles' powers.
Step three: Adding Extra Media
Adding music was an essential part of a trailer as it adds suspense and development to the storyline. The type of music one decides to add with determine the tone of that sequence.
For example, for the action sequence seen in act 3, I knew that I wanted to add heroic music to add build-up. The heroic music creates an exciting tone that engages the viewer.
Step four: Reviewing the Sequences
I made sure that each sequence was roughly the same amount of time. I did not want any sequence to drag on and take over the trailer. Each element is equally important in order to make a good and effective trailer.
I found that I had trouble staying under the time limit, as each scene I included felt necessary. I had to go back and decide which parts of the trailer were the most necessary and cut out any I felt were unnecessary.
I also watch the trailer over multiple times to ensure that it flowed nicely. It is important that my trailer portrayed scenes sequentially, but did not give away too much.
Project #4: G.I.P. Documentary
Step one: Ingesting and Digesting Footage
Step two: Creating & Organizing my Plan
Step three: Introducing the Girls
I had many ideas for how I wanted to introduce the Pink Helmet Posse. We were given so many clips of the girls skating that I felt that I had to use them all, especially the slo-mo clips.
I decided to use a fun, upbeat rock song about female empowerment to show the girls skating and give an idea about what the rest of the documentary is going to be about.
(0:00-0:54)
I found that the girls had trouble answering questions during their interviews, so I had to piece together their interviews to make it seem as though they were answering the questions. Although their interviews were all over the place with little no substance in them, I felt that it was important to include the girl in the documentary.
Step four: B-Roll and Interviews
When editing a documentary that is very interview-heavy, it often becomes boring if the only thing on the screen are the people speaking. It is important to take advantage of the B-Roll to make your edit more interesting. There were so many opportunities to use B-Roll when the parents were talking about their child or when the girls were talking about different skateboard tricks that they like to do. Using the B-Roll that matches what the speaker is saying makes the scene so much more interesting.
(4:37-4:55)
