Editing

 

Action Match shot - A shot that cuts from one piece of action to another, making the shot continuous and smoother.

Shot/ reverse shot - Shot where you cut between two people having a conversation. An over the shoulder shot cutting between each character that's talking and the shoulder of the other.

Parallel editing - The editor cuts between two separate scenes happening in separate locations at the same time. This illustrates a contrast or link between them. E.g. a phone call.

Jump cut - A cut that moves to a very similar part of the same scene but missing a piece of action out. a break in continuity. E.g. when getting ready it cuts the part of you getting ready and shows you finished.

Fast pace cuts - Increase the speed and action in a scene. Mostly used in trailers.

Wipe - Used to move the action on without a jump cut making the edit seem smooth and calm.

Dissolve - When the first shot is on screen and the second shot starts appearing until you can only see the second shot. used to link scenes together.

Visual effects - Graphics on screen e.g. dates or numbers for what has happened or may happen.

Graphic Match - Cut from one shot to the other that look visually the same. Could be colour/object linking between scenes.

Slow motion - Used in editing to slow down time letting the audience see all of the details of the action.

The Road - Opening Scene

We looked at another post apocalyptic movie - The Road - to see another portrayal of this genre. This film features two characters instead of one and mentions more 'living' in this world.

At the beginning of the film a happy scene is shown to emphasise what the main character has lost. (His life, wife etc.).
Setting - the setting of this is much more bleak than the previous movies; everything's dying the trees, plants and nothing can grow. This shows that the characters lives are limited and they may not survive much longer. Interestingly, the only vibrant colour shown after the apocolypse is red in the written blood on the walls. It may represent that in this new world to get some sort of fix from the old one, killing is the only drug.

Lighting - Lots of light and colour at the beginning of the movie connotes hope and life. A deep contrast to afterwards when the lighting is dark, monotone and depressing. At the end if the opening scene they carry a light in the tent possibly showing the light and hope they carry not just for the future but for their mother also. Later in the film when the light has disappeared the audience will subconciously know all hope is lost for the characters.

Sound - not much sound except rain, thunder and lightning is shown in this scene, emphasising the dying world. Rocks moving indicate the world is still unstable even after so many years its still falling apart. Slow paced, sombre piano music is played to make the audience sympathise with the characters. At the very beginning of the film peaceful music is played to indicate the happiness, peace and love before the apocalypse ruined everything.

Camera - two shots are used frequently to show the relationship between father and son. Tracking shots are used to show the characters moving from place to place. There is a POV shot from the boy when looking at the deer, showing childhood wonder at never seeing one before. lots of establishing shots are used to show the desolate landscape and the negative impact its having on humanity. Finally, tracking shots are used to follow the action of the father and son throughout the day, possibly to illustrate the lack of action that occurs in this newfound world.

Plot/narrative - the voice over of the father tells the story as the characters walk. This helps to establish the story for the audience. The monotone voice however shows the bleakness and lack of hope these characters have. The opening shows an average day in the life of the characters, the lack of activity possibly foreshadowing the upended events to come.

Character, clothing, props - the layers of raggy clothes and long hair and beards show a more natural state when one thinks of the apocalypse. At the beginning of the film the woman wears white clothing connoting innocence and dresses to connote feminimity and fertility. the fact that in the main film the mother is gone shows absence of life. The lack of emotion when faced with shocking things like piles of bones show the new rabid world and the unshocking truth that they must live with it. the child carries a teddy bear throughout the opening showing the audience even though he's had to grow up quickly he is still ultimately a child, connoting innocence and providing comfort for the challenges faced everyday. Finally the shopping trolley plays a big part of the scene. Carrying all of their belongings if it was lost they may not survive. it relays that once unimportant things are now extremely valuable. It is a parallel to todays society where they are exactly like homeless people.

I am Legend - Opening Scene

| We looked at the opening scene to the film I am Legend to introduce some different opening techniques to our work. In contrast to Book of Eli this landscape looks recently deserted (3 years) whereas it looks as though it has been forsaken a while ago.

Setting - The abandoned city shows the lack of human activity. However the fact that all the cars and shops are still in place but no bodies can be found allows the audience to question what happened to create such a place.

Sound - The wind and eerie quiet at the beginning shows lack of humanity. After the news report a sudden bang creates a sense of foreboding for the audience. The sound of a car being the only disturbance focuses the idea that the character is alone in this city.

Camera - The crane shot shows the citywide abandonment. Mid shots and tracking shots are also used to show the characters movements and his lack of facial expression as he knows he is alone.

Plot/narrative - the fact that the place was abandoned at Christmas shows an extra amount of hopelessness as even with all the spirit no-one could save them. The news story at the beginning helps to establish the story. The lack of joy from the doctor creates unease in the audience as they along with the doctor know something will probably go wrong. Animals are present showing the unnaturally of the apocalypse.

Character - the strong masculine male lead is typical of the post apocalyptic genre. The fact he needs to kill to survive strengthens the tone of the film as kill or be killed.

Book of Eli - Opening Scene

We looked at the opening scene of the apocalyptic film Book of Eli for ideas of how to create our own short films. The professional nature of this piece allowed us to acknowledge the features needed to create our openings.

Setting - The setting of a dark, barren forest immediately gave a sense of foreboding for the audience. This along with the only life being dead or looking dead gave the tone for the film as survival i.e. kill or be killed.

Sound - The eerie and tense music added to the dramatic atmosphere, only used at points of signifucance and climactic tension. The build up of tension then the abrupt cut revealing the breathing presents the as as more dramatic as the audience recieves viceral pleasure, feeling something about to occur. The only indicator of life is the characters breathing which is effective in creating the idea of death in the world without having to say it.

Lighting - The dark, depressing, low-key lighting throughout the scene emphisises the dead world and increases suspense in the scene.

Camera - The long tracking shot is effective in setting the scene and showing the audience of the desolate landscape. The shot reveals a gun then a dead body suggesting the man commited suicide. The pan and track zooms into the characters face showing a close up of the characters mask creating an enigma code as the audience cannot see the emotions on their face, and therfore whether their intentions are noble or not. A POV of the cat is used, strangely, to present to the audience that the character cannot be seen and is therefore a very skilled hunter. This reflects on the rest of the movie as Eli is a killer to those who oppose him.

Editing - The long tracking shot uses the trees as cuts to break up the take. This creates suspension and tension setting up enigma codes such as who is he?, whats he doing ?etc. Although these are all answered later on in the movie. A slow motion shot of the arrow increases drama. 

Plot/narrative - The kill of the cat immediately at the beginning of the film sets the tone as having to kill to survive. It represents that the protagonist has no mercy as hes killed a helpless cat, setting the tone for the rest of the film. The dead character in the shot in the beginning also creates a sense of hopelessness as he committed suicide rather than live in this hostile world.

Character - The lack of identity of the character leaves the audience uneasy. The lack of gender could also be intentional to show the power of the person before stereotypes can be introduced. However the gender is assumed male as many women during the apocalypse aren't expected to survive. Later in the film its confirmed the protagonist is male. 

About Me

Hi, my name's Bethany Gunn and I'm currently studying Media at Ashfield School. I live in Kirkby-in-Ashfield and have done all my life. I chose Media as I have always been fascinated by how all types of media can capture an audience and move them to feel connected to the characters. my favourite genre is fantasy as I love how it can take you out of this world and into a new one.

In my family I have my Mum, Dad and younger Brother. When I was younger I wanted to be an interior designer and I guess I still have a creative side as I did art GCSE and I choose this subject. I want to hopefully express this through my work. I also did IT GCSE so I have a good knowledge of

computers.

My hobbies include reading which some may find antisocial but as blank said 'I read not because I have no life, but because I choose to have many'. My favourite TV shows are The 100 which is good considering our film opening project is about a dystopian future and that's just what it is, and Doctor Who. My favourite film is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I love how they fight for each other and the dark and suspense lingering over the film the entire time is evident throughout just from the lighting and background music. One of my favourite books id The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard which is about a girl fighting for her rights against a overpowering government (with some powers and romance thrown in).