Video and Editing Techniques

Editing for Video Production

The Development of Editing

Film technology has evolved over time and at the same time editing has changed and developed. 

History of cinema:

This video explains the vastly complex history of the origins of cinema.





The origins of cinema are linked to the work of Eadweard Muybridge. His interest was in how things move. In order to work out how both animals and humans move, he decided to use a series of cameras to create a sequence of stills which when played back give the illusion of movement if played back at a certain speed. 





Below is an example of his work which was the first film ever made which shows a race horse running which was made in 1878.



There was an thought amongst some people on whether when a horse runs if all of its legs lift off the ground at the same time at some point, so Eadweard Muybridge came up with the idea to make a film using a series of still images which show a horse running and when he played it back at a speed it proved that all four horses legs lift off the ground at some 
point when they run.

So when you play back a sequence if images at a rate of 24 frames per second the brain will believe that they are all images of a single thing that is moving rather than a series of images. If you click on the link below it will take you to a video which explains frames and frame rates.

http://www.video2brain.com/en/lessons/frame-rates 

We still use the idea of frame rate to adjust the speed of the image in both production and post production.

The first machine patented in the United States that showed animated pictures or movies was a device called the "wheel of life" or "zoopraxiscope". Patented in 1867 by William Lincoln, moving drawings or photographs were watched through a slit in the zoopraxiscope. However, this was a far cry from motion pictures as we know them today. Modern motion picture making began with the invention of the motion picture camera. 

The Frenchman Louis Lumiere is often credited as inventing the first motion picture camera in 1895. But in truth, several others had made similar inventions around the same time as Lumiere. What Lumiere invented was a portable motion-picture camera, film processing unit and projector called the Cinematographe, three functions covered in one invention. The image on the right is an example of Lumiere's invention.

The Cinematographe made motion pictures very popular, and it could be better be said that Lumiere's invention began the motion picture era. In 1895, Lumiere and his brother were the first to present projected, moving, photographic, pictures to a paying audience of more that one person.

This images shows someone using Lumiere's invention to capture a motion picture of small children playing in a garden.

The Lumiere brothers were not the first to project film. In 1891, the Edison company successfully demonstrated the Kinetoscope, which enabled one person at a time to view moving pictures. Later in 1896, Edison showed his improved Vitascope and it was the first commercially, successful, projector in the U.S.
This image shows Edison using his invention to project a film in a old theatre to a audience.






The first films created with these cameras were not edited. They were usually one single shot, from a single point of view.

The idea that you could use a variety of shot choices, use multiple points of view, and that the story could follow the action, didn't come about until the concept of editing in camera was invented.

Editing in camera means that the film is created shot by shot, in the camera. You add the next shot in the story by filming it next. Editing in camera still exists as a way of creating films. 

For example the video below was created in 1902 which is an example of a video which was editing in camera.



Editing:

Editing in camera was never going to be good enough, it is very difficult to assemble a finished film in camera. Judging where each shot should start and finish is just too hard to get perfectly right each time. Therefore the early film makers needed a way to trim shoots and to alter the order of a shorter section of film called clips.

In the early days of movie production, the idea of cutting up film and taping it back together to edit it was developed. For many years this process was done by hand, with just a pair of scissors and a magnifying glass. 

The first mechanical editing desks, used to cut up and reassemble movies were invented by Iwan Serrurier in 1924. He was the founder of the Moviola company.

This Video explains the history of the Moviola Company.

These machines revolutionised editing and allowed more sophisticated cutting techniques to be developed.

This technique of cutting film and reassembling the pieces, whether done by hand or by machine is called "Linear Editing". It is called linear editing because you are basically putting the clips in order one after the other. This process is purely mechanical.

From 1920 until the end of the second world war, film diting was done almost exclusively on Moviola decks. Then in 1945 the German company Steenback introduced their machine. Steenbeck's rapidly became the industry standard.

This process of cutting film continues to this day. Steenbeck still produce and sell film editing decks.

Since 1953 STEENBECK is manufacturing film editing tables for the motion picture industry.
For more than 60 years Steenbeck has been setting a mark and has been trend setter for quality and precision in this branche.Many developments were made for all kinds of special applications, film editing, telecine, viewing and checking motion picture film and even X-ray films in hospitals. In 2003 STEENBECK moved from Hamburg/Germany to Venray/Holland in the Dutch province Limburg, specifically in an Industrial High Tech Park near the Dutch motorway A73 that connects Germany to Amsterdam.

The image on the right hand side is an example of an early model of a Steenbeck Table. Throughtout time they have developed and became more modern in their way of working.

Invention of Video Editing:

The idea of recording to something other than film (video tape) was invented in 1951 by the Ampex research team. The first video editing machines came into existence a few years later in 1956.In 1956 Ampex stepped up with the VR-1000. While not the first Video Tape Recorder (VTR), the VR-1000 was the first, practical, broadcast quality recorder.The VR-1000 recorded a black and white picture with a mono audio channel on a 2" wide video tape. The tape ran at a familiar and economical 15-inches per second. The picture was recorded across the tape from top to bottom using four heads on a rotating drum (Quadruplex recording). This arrangement gives an effective video recording speed of approximately 1560 inches per second.

The original editing systems we're also linear editing systems. However, instead of physically cutting the video tape the data was copied from one tape to another, via a control deck which would control the in and out points (start and finish) of the clip you wanted to copy across.

At this point both the image quality and editing techniques were very primitive. They were used primarily for TV usage. Neither the picture quality or the editing techniques were suitable for cinema use.

The first feature film shot on video was Julie and Julia 1987. The first commercial movie shot in HD was 2004 Once Upon A Time in Mexico.

Non-Linear Editing Systems (NLE):

The first attempts to create non-linear editing systems were in the 1970's, but no one was able to bring a commercial system to the market. Lucasfilm started to develop a system in the 1980's, with their EditDroid (a system based on laser disc technology). This, however, never turned turned into a commercial system.

However, the first commercially sucessful, professional NLE systems were created in 1989, when AVID launched the Avid 1 Media composer editing system. The Avid editing system was a hardware + software system based on Apple computing technology. This was the first computer based system that turned taped data into files. Files that could be then moved about on a timeline. One of the major developments which allowed this to happen was the creation of digital video cameras. The first professional camera, the Sony D1, coming onto the market 1986.

What allowed this to change from linear to non-linear, was the idea that the footage either on film or video, could be transformed into digital information could then be altered without destroying the original file. This is known as non-destructive editing.

Once the images were digital, it became possible to alter and manipulate that data (images) in ways that were impossible using linear editing systems.

Purpose

Storytelling

Whether it is drama, news or documentary the purpose of editing is the same - effective storytelling.

We do this by controlling the audiences point of view. The shots we create in production need to be exactly what we need to tell the story in the edit.

Genre = this is how film is defined by either its content or its style for example some genres include; Thriller, Horror, Comedy, Romance, Action, Sci Fi etc.

This is the trailer for Star Wars Revenge of the Sith. The genre of this film is Sci Fi, the reason for this is because of the various codes and conventions for Sci Fi films which can be seen throughout this clip. For example some of the codes and conventions for Sci Fi films are; Aliens, Futuristic buildings, Flying cars, Sound effects, Robots etc.

This is the Blades of Glory trailer. The genre of this film is comedy.

When comparing these two genres they are completely different to each other. For example a difference with these two movie trailers is the setting of them, as one is set in the future and the other is set in the modern day. Also the language in the two clips are completely different as one is more based upon jokes and modern language and the other one uses more futuristic terminology.


Conventions and Techniques

Montage = A montage is a sequence to show a characters development through time. For example the clip below is a montage from Harry Potter showing how he has changed throughout the time in each of the 7 films.

This montage shows how much Harry and the other characters have changed from the very first film to the very last.

Screencasts:

This is a screencast of me editing a cut away into a interview. First I opened Final Cut Pro and then I clicked on file-import-from files and I chose some clips from the data file on the computer and I chose two different clips. I then took one clip and set the in and out points and then I dragged it onto the timeline over the top of my other clip which I had already placed on the timeline and then I made sure the audio for the clips was off.

This screencast shows me adding a dissolve transition between two different clips.First I opened Final Cut Pro and then I clicked on file-import-from files and I chose some clips from the data file on the computer and I chose two different clips. I then took one clip and set the in and out points and then I dragged it onto the timeline and then I done the same with the other clip and place it onto the timeline next to the other clip. I then went to the toolbar at the top and went to effects and down to video transitions and then down to dissolve and then I chose the one I would use and then I placed it in between the two clips and then I played it back to see how it looked.



In this screencast I set the in and out points on a clip of footage and then placed it onto the timeline.First I opened Final Cut Pro and then I clicked on file-import-from files and I chose some clips from the data file on the computer and I chose a clip of footage I was going to use, I then played the clip through and when I found where I wanted my footage to start I pressed the 'i' key down on the keyboard to set the in point and then I carried on playing the clip til I found where I wanted it to stop and then I pressed the 'o' key on the keyboard to set the out point. Once I had done that I dragged the clip onto the timeline.





In this screencast it shows me adding a wipe transition between two different clips of footage. First I opened Final Cut Pro and then I clicked on file-import-from files and I chose some clips from the data file on the computer and I chose two different clips. I then took one clip and set the in and out points and then I dragged it onto the timeline and I then done the same with the other clip and place it next to the other one on the timeline. I then went to effects-video transitions-wipe and chose out of the list and then I placed it between the two footage clips and played it back to see what it looked like.

This video tutorial shows you how to add a soundtrack to a video in Final Cut pro. It also explains how to fade out the sound as well as how to cancel out the audio from the clip so you can hear the background music.



Working to a brief in the Creative Media Sector

In the creative media sector briefs are given by clients to businesses or people who work in the media sector to create something the client requires, there are 5 different types of brief structures these can include:

- Contractual = This type of brief is when the brief is outlined in a employment contract which the employer has to sign to agree to create something for the client based on the clients requirements. All of the requirements given by the client will be stated in the contract and the signing of this contract means the employer will follow and abide by these requirements.

- Formal = This type of brief is when a employer agrees to arrange a formal meeting with their clients to discuss their initial ideas or proposal of what they want producing. The employer can then record the meeting in various ways so they have on record what they have to produce and what the clients requirements are and what time frame they have to produce the product. For example when you have been asked to produce a promotional video for a external business you would go and visit that business to meet with the clients that got in touch with you and you would have a meeting to discuss what exactly then want in the promotional video.
  
- Negotiated = This type of brief is when you are with your client and you might help them develop the brief by discussing your ideas which can linked in with their ideas to develop their ideas. Having negotiation skills is very important as you will need them to negotiate with the client about the brief. Also if you have good negotiating skills you will be able to discuss with your client a deadline for the brief and you could possibly make it so it suits you. For example if you had a brief to be completed in 2 weeks you could negotiate with the client to make the deadline extend for a few more weeks as you need a certain amount of time to complete it or you are unable to do it.

- Informal = This is the most unreliable type of brief structures. This type of brief consists of clients contacting you via a phone call, text message or social networking site such as facebook or skype. With this type of brief the clients will send you a message asking if you will create something for them like a promotional poster or website. Also this type of brief means that the client will discuss the requirements with you over the phone. For example if your friend is asking you to create something for them they could just ask you over the phone or social networking rather than face to face.

- Tender = A tender is a type of competition brief. A group of people are selected to do a brief, they are selected by phone call, email or post. When you go to a meeting each person will present their ideas to the client,then they will decide which person from the group they want to complete the brief.

When working to a brief there is a order in which to help generate ideas and processes. The 8 steps are:
1. Generate ideas based upon the key concepts of the brief
2. Assess the ideas: how relevant and workable are they in relation to the brief
3. Identify the strongest (most relevant and workable ideas)
4. Identify any problems or constraints that might arise with each of your ideas
5. What are the potential solutions? research and evaluate potential solutions against the requirements and constraints
6. What further changes would improve the fit to the brief and strengthen the impact of the product
7. Select the strongest idea(s) that best fits the brief and present these to your client(s) using appropriate documentation as required
8. Develop the preferred idea(s) further in response to the clients feedback

Before you start working to the brief you must find out what the requirements are from the client(s) which includes:
- What exactly do they want
- When do they want it for
- You will need the clients contact details
- What content do they want in/on the product
- What is it for/ Whats its purpose
- Who is the target audience for the product
- Also what is the budget/how much money are they able to work with

Once you have received and thoroughly read through the brief you have been given you need to prepare the appropriate pre-production documentation to present to the client to get their feedback before you can actually start to create your chosen product/idea. When presenting your chosen idea(s) to the client you will need the following documentation:
- A list of all your ideas - don't worry if they are good or bad ones it shows how you have developed your ideas throughout the thought process
- A presentation to pitch - a PowerPoint saying what your idea(s) are and what you hope to achieve by the end of production (don't forget to mention your target audience and production schedule)
- Mood boards - a collection of images or text or colour schemes that are relevant to the brief as it will help you develop your ideas further
- Storyboards - if there is filming involved in your product you must create a storyboard for your idea(s) so you know how you want the story to go and look
- Constraints - any problems you have had and the solutions to those problems
- Research - any Internet based and paper based research you have done into what you want to make and if there is already products like it and if there is then say what improvements you will make to your product to make it better than the existing product
- How will you do it? - an explanation of how you will make your product and what things you will need to make it
- Layout Designs - sketches of how you want each part of your product to look, its better to have more designs to show your development throughout the design process
- Preproduction documents - all of your relevant planning documents and any forms that are required.
- Budget - this would be the value of money you have available to you to create your product for your client
- Gantt Chart - a detailed schedule of all the weeks of production and a list of tasks which need to be completed by a certain date
- Overall outline or proposal - a small explanation of what exactly you are going to be doing and how you are going to do it
- Background Details about the client - do some research into your client to see what sort of things they do and to see what there work is like so you can incorporate that into your ideas
- Any research carried out by the client - a collection of documents the client might give to you detailing what sort of thing they want and how they might want it to look
- What they hope to achieve - a paragraph explaining what they hope to achieve at the end of the project
- Target Audience - who is your product aimed at; what age group, what sort of lifestyle will they be living, what area will they be from etc.

If you wish to carry out a live brief in your own time or school/college time then visit www.iamcreative.org.uk where there are a whole range of live briefs waiting to be completed some examples can be found below:

- Brief : The Sun - Redesign The Sun's daily women's section:
 
The Sun has given I Am Creative a hugely exciting brief for young aspiring journalists to get their teeth into.

The brief asks young people to completely reconsider the women's section of their newspaper, taking it completely apart and then putting it back together from scratch.
An exercise in branding design, journalism and photojournalism, this is a great tool for teaching English, Journalism, Fashion and many more…
some examples of what has already been done for this brief can be found below:


-  Brief : Vodafone - Create a Play Zone in the new Vodafone Store:

Vodafone are launching an amazing new destination store to showcase all of it's amazing products, including phones, apps, accessories, games and services such as Red Box: But they need your help. Vodafone want to devote a section of the store to Play and therefore, they are looking for your ideas on a Play Zone that will sit within the store to help make the store more personable and more playful.

They want this zone to add a whole new dimension to the retail experience, so that it isn’t just about upgrading or getting a new phone, it is about coming in for a Saturday afternoon and spending time having fun there, with Vodafone as your host.

Some examples of what has already been done can be found below:

Stop motion animation

Cel Based animation

Cel based animation is created using hand drawn images. A 30 second animation would use 250 images all hand drawn and if required with color added. To create a cel based animation you would have to first come up with a storyline so you know what images need to be drawn. The images have to be drawn on a clear sheet of plastic so that after each image is placed on top of the following you can see the difference in movement, after each image is placed on top of the following image a picture has to be taken so once all images have been laid on the pile once played back it will look as if it is a moving animation. An example of a cel based animator would be Walt Disney. 

Stop motion animation

Pixilation animation

Pixilation animation is created with actual people to make them do anything depending on what the creator wants them to do. For example pixilation can give the impression of someone floating in mid-air across a room. To create a pixilation you will need to have access to a computer which has the correct software installed an example of this would be iStopMotion which is available on apple Macs. To create a pixilation animation you have to take pictures after each small movement a person makes and one played back it will give the impression of movement a very good example would be a pixilation animation of someone riding a human skateboard. An example of a pixilation animator would be Timon Dowdeswell.

Stop motion animation

Cut out animation

Cut out animation is created using photographs, which have been taken or images from the Internet or other sources. The images have to be relevant to the plot or storyline of the animation, which is going to be created. Once all of the images have been sourced and printed if there is any people there mouths will have to be cut out to make the impression of them talking in the animation. Creating small movements of the images and taking pictures after each small movement then make the animation and once it is all played back it gives the impression of movement. Sound can then be added over the top to give the impression of talking or sound effects depending on the theme of the animation. An example of a cut out animator would be Terry Gillian.

Research of Animators


Cut out animation - Terry Gillian

Terry Gilliam born November 22^nd 1940 is an American born British film director and animator creator of the cut out animation the miracle of flight created in 2008. Below are some images which featured in some of his cut out animations. 

Below are some images from many of his animations:

Stop motion animation

Research of Animators
Cel Based animation - Walt Disney



 

Pete confronts Mickey at the helm of the steamboat

Walt Disney born December 5^th 1901 an American film producer and animator well know for the creator of Mickey Mouse who starred in his first animation Steamboat Willie created in 1928. Below is an image from the short animation where Pete confronts Mickey at the helm of the steamboat.

Mickey has also starred in other animations such as:

• Fantasia
• The Band concert
• The brave little tailor

As well as many short films produced in the future.

Below is an image of some sketches of Mickey Mouse for the animation steamboat Willie.