Editing Transitions- Split screen test

This transition test was inspired by the trailer for Oceans Thirteen. I like the idea of using split screen to move from one scene to another and I think the effect works really well. This is definitely a technique I will try and use in my final video.

Editing Transitions: Zoom test

This video is an example of a transitions technique that I will use in my final major project video. By zooming into the black background of one shot, I can zoom out smoothly into the next scene, which is more interesting that just a regular editing cut.

Editing test 2 (Fast paced editing)

This video is another example of how to edit a dance video. I have edited this video with a fast pace, which fits with the fast paced music. There is a section in my final major project with a fast solo dance in it, so I wanted to practice cutting from different shots quickly to reflect the pace of the dance.

Editing test

I wanted to practice editing dance in order to get the pace right. I chose a random song (Justin Timberlake 'Mirrors') that had the pace that I was looking for and downloaded some stock footage from Getty Images of contemporary and street dance. I then cut them together and altered the speed in order to make them fit together and in time with the music. I am quite happy with the results as I think it is a nice artistic video considering I used random footage.

Notes & Lists

• 3 routines; slow, fast, duet
• 3 costumes; white striped, blue & orange, black
• Music provided by dancer

Equipment list for shoot:

• Camera for wide shot (Sony fs700)
• Camera for close ups (Sony fs700)
• 2 tripods
• Dolly and track
• Clapperboard
• DSLR for photos

To do list:

• Practice transitions
• Practice editing timings
• Get music from dancer
• Book studio
• Book equipment

Keying Test 1

I used the footage I took today at the lighting test to key out the green screen and see what the lighting would look like with a pure black background. I am pleased with how it looks but I think I'm going to look into putting digital lighting into the shot and creating shadows to make it look like the subject is in a black studio. (There is a piece of carpet on the left hand side which will obviously not be there in the real video, I didn't bother rotoscoping it out because I won't have to do this in the real footage).

Location & Lighting test

Today I worked in the green screen studio to see if it was a suitable location for my video. Ideally I wanted a black studio, but I think I would struggle to find one, so I thought the next best thing was a green screen that I could key out and turn black. I worked with two friends and we came up with a  lighting set up that I think looks really good and effective and will give exactly the feel that I am looking for.

I shot a few test shots so that I have something to key out to test the look. I also shot some footage at 50fps to see how the slow motion looks and whether it will work with the 25fps footage or not.

The only thing I have left to do is to plan and test editing transitions and book out the studio for the shoot. Ideally I would like to shoot before Christmas, but I don't want to rush it so I think I might use the rest of this semester to concentrate on the other modules and then shoot in January and spend semester 2 focusing on this video.

Film Research notes

My notes so far from watching the films mentioned in a previous post:

• Establishing shot from a far
• Shoot from different angles, e.g; side, behind, above, circling shot.
• Close ups on hands and feet- maybe useful for transitions between routines?
• Costumes- either three of the same colour but different style, or three of the same style in different colours- establishes difference but still within the same family/theme.

Editing Transitions

Oceans 13 (2007)

Oceans 13 features lots of different editing techniques and transitions. The idea of using different transitions is to keep a certain pace throughout certain parts of the film. The transition I am looking at is one of the first ones in this trailer, the scene split into three different shots that move in and out leaving just one shot at the end of the transition. I intend to use something similar to this transition in my video to move from one dance routine/genre to another.

Coca Cola Split Screen advert

Exodus Club TV Ad

The two adverts above demonstrate the moving split screen trasnition technique that I will be working with on my project.

There is a chance that when I have the footage, this transition won't work effectively, although I can't see why not. In that case I will be looking back at alternative editing trasnitions in order to come up with something creative.

Dance Films to research

Pina (2011)
Edited by Toni Froschhammer

Honey (2003)
Edited by Mark Helfrich & Emma E.Hickox

Step Up (2006)
Edited by Nancy Richardson

Step Up 4 (2012)
Edited by Matt Friedman & Avi Youabian

Black Swan (2010)
Edited by Andrew Weisblum

Inspirational clips for dance project

I decided I would start my research by looking at existing dance portfolios to get an idea of how they are set out and what exactly features in them. This portfolio is not professionally done and isn't great, but gives an idea of using clips of different dancing genres, which is what I want to create. This portfolio also includes photographs. I am not planning on using photos in my project but I will be taking some when I shoot for the dancer, and just incase I want to use them in some way in the video. 

This video has the kind of environment that I want to use for my piece, in other words, a totally black background. I really like the idea of lighting the dancer in a way that she is the only thing in the room and the only thing you can see. I think there are a couple of studios at university that are completely black when the lights are out, so I will test these locations to see if they would work. Ideally I would like it to be a naturally black environment instead of creating it in After Effects because I think it will look more authentic, but if it necessary to do a little bit of tweaking in post production I am willing to do that. The woman in this video has been graded in black and white, but this is not something I want to do in my video.

The video below also demonstrates the environment I would like to shoot in, or something every similar.

This Lexus advert has the kind of look that I would like to achieve, although I want to evoke a calmer, more theatrical feel in my video.

During a camera class this week we had the opportunity to look at a new camera, the Canon xf350 which is capable of shooting at 50 frames per second in a really high quality, in other words, slow motion. 50 fps is not very slow at all but I thought that shooting the routine at two different speeds and then editing them together could have a really nice cinematic effect. Above is an example of slow motion dancing, although this is the dancer moving slowly, not the camera making it appear slow motion, but it gives you an idea of the effect that is created.

Project Update: 'A total U-turn'

I have been worrying over the last few weeks about my final project, because I have not had any contact from anyone wanting an editor or even a visual effects artist for their projects. I had one email from a man looking for an assistant editor, but that isn't enough for such a massively important project.

I therefore realised I needed to speak to my tutor about what I was going to do and where I am going to take my project. Before meeting him, I began to think of areas and themes I could work with to produce an editing portfolio, and I remembered something.....

I was recently asked by a colleague of mine if I will produce a dancing portfolio for her, as she is a dance student who is looking to apply for scholarships. I said I would be interested in helping her, and I thought that maybe we could help each other out and I could use the portfolio as the basis for my major project. I am yet to speak with her again to confirm whether she still wants to do the portfolio, but my intention is to film her doing 3 different routines, preferably in a few different dance styles, and then I can edit them together and use visual effects to move from one dance to the other in a creative way.

I spoke to my tutor about this and he thought it was a really good idea, and gave me a few references to look at in terms of dance films.

I am really pleased to finally have a direction to work in and to be able to focus my attention on one specific editing technique. Now all I have to do is get a move on researching and planning the video!

Once I had a new direction for my project I needed to speak with the director of the film that I had agreed to do visual effects work on. There's no way that I could still work on his film as well as concentrate on a whole new project for my assessment, I just wouldn't have the time. I emailed him and explained what had happened and that I wouldn't be able to work with him. I felt bad because I don't like letting people down and going back on my word, but I need to think about my own marks. He completely understood and was fine with my decision.