Looking At Sound

We've now touched upon the aspect of sound. We know that there is two types of sound that can be used when adding them into a film piece. One of them is known as diagetic sound. This is basically the natural sound that is heard in normal life, and what the viewer is expected to hear within the film piece. Examples of this would be dialogue within a scene or footsteps of a character walking etc. The other type is non-diagetic sound which is the opposite definition to the first; this is the type of sound that we wouldn't hear in real life and that has been added over the film piece. Examples of this would be the most common form of diagetic sound - music. This is usually used to help create meaning and emotions within the scene so that the viewer will grasp upon them and understand what is genre is trying to be created. On my first try with sound, I've added sound effects using some from this website: http://freesound.org/

Storyboard - Paper Version

First Try at Basic Continuity Editing - Story Board

First Try on Basic Continuity Editing - Reflection

The Material

We had to come up with an idea that involved the techniques shot reverse shot, match on action and the 180 degree rule. My group and I created a video sequence of such, showing a person walking into a room, greeting their friend and then walking across the room to sit down next to them.

The File Format and Using the Online Converter
The file format that clips were in were .MTS, but I was able to work with that in Windows Movie Maker because that file format and pretty much every other file format apart from WMV isn't compatible with the program. So I had to go online to find a converter that was able to change the format from .MTS to .WMV. This wasn't very hard to find, and the process took about ten minutes altogether since each clip wasn't too long. To use the converter, I used these simple steps:
1. Clicked on 'browse' and selected the video clips I wished to convert.
2. Then, simply clicking convert the clip was converted to the WMV format in a matter of seconds.
3. After it was converted, the video clip now a WMV was automatically downloaded to my hard drive.

Uploading the Files to Windows Movie Maker and Editing
Uploading the files was also very easy. I simply clicked on the option 'import video' and selected all the clips that I wanted to import. The files then loaded into the program and showed up in the location 'collections.' Once they were loaded into the program, I began to edit the clips together. I found this to be quite an easy task since I am very familiar with editing and skills via editing. I only had to use the splitting tool to cut the pauses we took in between shooting. This was the only editing tool I used and this was so I was able to create continuity between each clip.


Creating the 180 Degree Rule, Shot Reverse Shot and the Action Match Shot
After getting feedback from the class, my group and I were told that we had gotten the shot reverse shot and action match shot spot on, and the editing showed that greatly. However, the 180 degree rule wasn't applied correctly, and so it  maybe would have confused some a real audience. From this feedback I'll be looking at how to follow the 180 degree rule successfully.

The Result:

First Try on Basic Continuity Editing - The Stills

Here is the draft story board that our group came up with for the short film. This is an important part of the process when it comes to editing, as it help you plan out the shots better.

These two shots is show the video camera recording the character walking past the camera to enter through the door. you will see how this connected through the next shot.

This is a close up of one of the actors entering the room, you can see from the behind as the video camera shows the back view of the character entering. This creates continuity with the previous shots showing her walking into the room

We then show a front shot of her entering the room, once again creating the continuity and the illusion that this her entering the room is happening in one go like it would in real life.

We then show a close up of the character as they turn to face the other character. This part of the continuity leads on to the other character, showing the 180 degree rule and standing on one side of the imaginary line throughout the scene.

The Aspects of Continuity Editing

Shot Reverse Shot
This is an editing technique that is used for scenes to create the illusion that a  there is a normal conversation taking place. The camera alternates between over the shoulder shots that show a character in a scene taking.

Match On Action 
This technique creates continuity by changing the perspective of the camera during the scene so that said scene flows. The audience's attention is also diverted on the amount of cutting,making it not as obvious.

Steady use of Camera
The cameraman is holding the camera as steady as possible, usually with type of stabilization that helps them keep the camera still. This shows continuity throughout each scene and creates the illusion of it being a real life situation. As opposed to a small video camera that might move a lot in things like documentaries.

The 180 Degree Rule
The 180 degree rule states that the camera/cameras stay on one side of an imaginary line. With the line drawn perpendicular to camera's viewpoint, it once again shows continuity in the scene. This is so that it doesn't confuse the audience on where for example the characters in the scene are standing.