Notes on Continuity Editing

Notes on Continuity Editing
Cuts
A quick transition between two scenes, advanced examples of which are shown below.

Cheat Cut: A cut that actually rearranges the set to make parts of the set seem disproportionate. Often used cuts impossible given the constructed set (i.e. cutting to film from behind a where a wall supposedly was)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7H83f9uxYc&feature=player_embedded

Crosscutting/Parallel Editing: Cutting between two or more separate lines of action usually occurring at the same time. Gives a sense that the two occurrences are connected in some way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wbjylCEJLw

Cut In/Cut Away: Cuts that zoom in nor zoom out into a portion of the same space instantaneously.


Dissolve: A transition where the first shot gradually disappears and the second shot gradually appears.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJq1auJq_gc&feature=relmfu 1:26-1:28

Iris: A transition effect that can begin/end a scene, or be used to cancel out the rest of a shot and focus on one detail. Gradually blacks out the rest of the scene except for one circle of  focus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuYIq-J5l9I 0:08-0:11

Jump Cut: A cut where either the characters change against a constant background instantaneously or the background changes instantaneously against characters still in the same position.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tDRBb0apDg&list=UUSAUGyc_xA8uYzaIVG6MESQ&index=2&feature=plcp 1:25-1:26

Establishing Shot/Reestablishing shot: Quick cuts between shots to either establish the set of a scene or to reestablish and emphasize details not shown prior in the scene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I16_8l0yS-g

Shot-Reverse Shot: A type of cutting that quickly cuts between two characters at more or less the same distance, often when they are having a conversation or doing some act together (i.e. playing ping pong).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKdcYnlkhx8

Superimposition: Exposure of more than one shot at the same time, causing them both to appear simultaneously.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-1uU_QSIWw

Wipe: Transition that causes one scene to be quickly "wiped" (fade along a line), with the other scene appearing at the same time over that line.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usXca7W_jvM
Matches
Techniques that join two shots by making a connection between them in some way.

Eye-line Match: Quick cuts between a shot of a person looking in some direction, and the object they are looking at, gradually zooming in on both the object of focus and the person's eyes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VPMEKCITvs

Graphic Match: Take advantage of the similarity between two objects by making quick cuts to show a connection between them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4rHeGqaDBk

Match on Action: A quick cut between two views of the same scene, making it appear uninterrupted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHh12_JHjTg

Duration
The decision to or not to edit has become important with not editing becoming an impossibility.

Long Take: Taking an abnormally long time to cut. Since these are difficult to set up to be exactly the same set for an extended period of time, they are often shot from the same angle for the whole scene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJEEVtqXdK8

Overlapping Editing:Cuts that repeat the action, expanding on it each time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJEEVtqXdK8 0:48-0:55

Rhythm: Hard to encompass entirely, altering aspects of the music, lighting and various other aspects of the film can dramatically alter the mood.

Double Indemnity Test Edit

30th August 2012

Today in film, we began much as the last class did by reviewing things we had previously learned. However, this was significantly more necessary, as it served as a refresher for protocol for setting up the camera, final cut pro, and various other things. Granted we had learned all these things before, however with all the intricate details many of us had forgotten, and it was good to review these. We continued by  being tasked with making a storyboard of a scene from the Film Noir mentioned last class (Double Indemnity). This was a good idea, as it got us thinking about the effects and camera angles that should be employed in a film noir, as well as sample dialogue that could be employed for our projects. This was followed up by us having to list all the necessary camera angles, dialogue, rigs, shots and actor movement. All and all, having dissected the scene bit by bit, I feel that I have a greater understanding of the techniques to employ later on in our project.

Film Reflection 29th August 2012

Today in film started as most intro lessons do, a review of the class protocols. Due to being in a new room, various things didn't apply, however due to the launch of the macbook program some new things had come into play. A review of these was helpful, though to be honest a somewhat dull way to begin the semester. However, this was soon ramped up with the start of research for our new unit: Film Noir. I will admit that I was excited by this, and when tasked with watching the 1960's Film Noir Double Indemnity saw many techniques that could be employed to further emulate the style. I look forward to the next lesson.

8th May 2012 Reflection

Today in film, we began by discussing the upcoming project, which is mainly focused on sound design. After being put into new groups, we discussed potential subjects, and decided it would be interesting if we did the sound to a comic strip of some variety. We have yet to decide on a comic, and will discuss this next class. We spent most of the class finishing Dancing with Wolves, which is a prime example of the techniques we will need to use for the assignment: Using music to appropriately alter the emotions of the audience, Altering the effects volumes to a similar ends and Trying to keep the background music constant with the emotion that is being conveyed. This movie has given me a host of ideas for our documentary, I only hope I can use them properly.

3rd May Reflection

Today in film, we continued watching Dancing with Wolves. Unfortunately, I missed the first part due to a field trip last week, causing me to be absent for the first part of the film. We focused on the use of sound and music in the film, and how it affected our perception of characters and the situation. This has helped me come up with ways we could use sound in our documentary, as well as several discussion topics for the upcoming essay.

19th April 2012

Today was the first showings of the documentaries. We were given half the class to apply finishing touches. In this time, I was made to present as I had not yet done so. After presenting a slightly abridged version of my presentation, due to time constraints, I feel I did a decently good job. Except for the fact I forgot to mention the  type of documentary my documentary was (in short missing the entire point of the presentation). After this, I aided my group in putting final touches on our documentary. Unfortunately (again due to time constraints), we were unable to screen, only be able to watch and give feedback on one documentary.  I feel that this was useful, as we were able to see what another group had done, giving us an idea of how are documentary style compared to that of other groups.