Film Editing Techniques

For this assignment, we were tasked with creating numerous films following various editing techniques we learned in class. We had to record different shots following a prompt we envisioned. Then, we would have to sift through the shots and pick out the best ones we found. After this, wed edit them together in order to create a finished product that we could take pride in. 

The first editing technique me and my partner, Adrianna, had done was the cross cutting technique. Cross cutting is normally done to show simultaneous action in different places in order to create tension in the scenes. The prompt we did followed two different characters doing the opposite of a task, with one walking peacefully in a full shot while the other is driving rapidly at eye level. This was done for a sort of comedic effect while showing the urgency in the driver. This part was relatively easy to record, but the driving scene took a few takes since we both kept laughing at it while recording. 

The next technique we did was the cutaway technique. This was a bit more challenging than the other techniques given the prompt we chose. The prompt we decided upon was to have two people about to engage in a fight, only to cut to the next shot of one on the ground while the other stands triumphant. This took a few takes since we had to find a way to record this properly. We had to have both character in the center of the camera in the first clip, while the second clip has the defeated character almost out of frame, signifying their defeat more. This took a few shots since we had to figure out a way to align them well.

After this, we did the dissolve technique. We wanted to do a cliché sort of idea for this scene. The prompt would follow a characters tariff down at a photo, and then having it dissolve into the memory that the photo captured. The process for recording this was a lot more fun then the other ones since a lot of it was improvisation. We had the idea itself in mind, but we hadn't decided on what to do for the memory itself. So we ended up recording me on the spot, and the scene we recorded was so funny to us that we just rolled with it. 

The fade in/ out scene was rather boring to create. I'll admit, it was not my favorite to record and edit. The prompt we did was boring in its own right; a scene of a man falling asleep, only for it fade out then fade back in to him getting woken up, signifying a passage of time. It was not at all a difficult thing to record, and it only took two shots with me in the center of the frame, but it was extremely boring. I prefer recording ideas that I believe to be entertaining and challenging, rather than a simple transition that leads to the most underwhelming change.

At the very least, the wipe technique was more fun to do. Our prompt was more unique to create; a scene where one person walks behind a tree, and then a different person walks out from behind it. This was fun, but very difficult to create. It actually required numerous different takes. The reason this was so difficult was because of the issue of lining the two shots up together. We didn't have something to prop the phone up, so one person would have to record, then carefully switch with the other person, and move to perform in the scene. It was tedious, but we mad either work.

The jump cut had a similar process to the wipe, but less difficult. Our prompt followed a character working at a desk for a long period of time, with each shot showing passage of time, with the first shot having them energized and alert, the next having them less engaged, and the third having them collapsed on the table. We had to pool together multiple different props in order to film this. I would also have to record different takes since it was slightly hard to maintain the same position while recording.

The next shot we filmed was a graphic match cut, which was interesting to record. The premise of a graphic match cut is to have two shots show something similar so that the transition flows smoothly. However, this was hard for us to line up since our prompt had to do with the flowing of water; one coming from a sink and the next being flowed into someone's mouth from a bottle. It was extremely hard to keep the water in the center of the screen between shots, but we ultimately succeeded after a few takes.

The last shot we recorded was the shot/ reverse shot. This was another easy scene for us to record. The premise had to do with three different shots; the first having a character arguing with someone off screen, the next showing that off screen character arguing back, and the third having the first character storm off. This only required one take since the premise was relatively easy to record. It didn't require any crazy camerawork work or use of props; just body language and acting.

The editing choices ultimately changed the mood and tone of some of the scenes we created. For instance, the fade in/ out transition made it so that the viewer would linger on the previous scene instead of immediately being brought to another like the other scenes we created. In general, this assignment taught me and my partner more about how these editing choices affect pacing in films.

Link to the finished clips: