Editing the Video

When filming was finished, editing needed to be taken place. This would be the main difficulty as we needed to ensure to use various, successful shots as well as ensuring the video is in time to the music. 

We continuously referenced back to our specific time lines and story boards as it allowed us to know exactly what shots and angles went where. 

We made sure to put the change of scenes in the right place. 

We started the editing by editing the music:

As you can see, we used the fade technique so that the song built up. To maintain continuity, we also used the fade technique at the beginning of the clip too. This meant that the video and music link together well.

The beginning of our video is also a Pan Shot. The use of this shot allows an establishing shot. It allows the story to start along side the music. 

As there is a lot to edit, we wanted to make the load more manageable for ourselves. Therefore, we named each video clip. This meant that we could see where every shot is and ensured we did not miss any key ones out. 

Each clip has accidental sound behind it. So for each clip we inserted into X movie Plus. We had to Remove or Destroy the link This allowed us to delete the sound to each video, allowing the song to be the only noise heard. 

.

Through further editing, I was able to learn techniques to use in order to improve the video and allow it to flow. One thing that I found was beneficial was reducing the play speed of clips. This allowed me to hold an image for longer. For extreme close ups this was beneficial as sometimes the camera would  shake. Holding the image for longer solved this problem. I used this technique in the two examples shown below. We wanted to hold the image of the hand longer to gain suspense. For the pills, the camera was rather shakey so reducing the play speed allowed this to be less obvious. 

Throughout the video, I've either used Cuts or Cross Fades to change from clip to clip and scene to scene. Shown below is an example of an effective use of cross fade. At this point in the video, the story completely changes from Alice in the bathroom to the scene where she tells her friend that she is in love with her. The image of her in the bathroom cross fades to Black which then Cross fades into the next scene. This seems to go extremely well with the music as well as being a successful transition. There is no problem with continuity.

Another example of a cross fade within the video is shown below. As well as allowing great change from scene to scene, it also allows successful transitions from one shot to another. An example of this is shown below (Alice is getting into the bath). We are shown the transition between two different shots - mid shot to the side and a birds eye view.

Many cross fades are used throughout the song. Shown below, are further examples:

As shown, using cross fades can be very successful. However, we also used cutting in certain parts of the video to allow the video to move on quickly (this has been done where the music speeds up). Further towards the end of our video, cuts are obviously used to portray Alice's frustrating life all in one. By using Quick Cutting, we are able to reflect her state of mind (and show how all these factors in her life have build her to this depression). The technique increases the drama and urgency to our video. 

Due to having to do extensive filming with use of natural lighting in the bathroom, each time the lighting varied which made it difficult to keep the film continuous. Shown below is an example of where the lighting is too bright compared to the rest of the video.

As you can see, the picture is rather bright so, I looked on effects to see which one would improve the image. After trying many out, we decided to use the effect of the 'Grey Scale'. We did not go full gray scale we decided to use half and half 'Grey Scale' effect.

This effect was very successful as it decreased the brightness of the clip allowing continuity between cuts. It also worked as the surrounding is already rather black, white and grey. Therefore, it is not obvious that a grey scale effect has been used. 

We also used further effects to change parts of the film in order to maintain the same lighting. In the outside scene especially, the lighting varies due to the sun going behind the clouds etc (something we cannot control). 

For the outside scenes, the colours are too obvious to continue using grey scale to change the brightness. Therefore, we used the 'Brightness and Contrast' effect.

Instead of decreasing the brightness function, we decided to increase the contrast which seemed to be more effective. An example of this is shown below where we have increased the contrast to 20. This was used in the close up of the hands as the bird eyes view shot that we have used means that the sun is very bright. 

Throughout the editing, we wanted to ensure it all Linked. If one part does not link, then our whole video could turn out bad. Shown below is some examples of how we tried to link each scene together. 

From going to the classroom back to the bathroom, I wanted there to be a connection rather then just cutting straight from one to another. Therefore, we decided to use Alice performing the same actions with her hands in one scene to another. This makes it obvious to the audience that the two scenes are linked. 

Nearer the end of the video, we have used the quick cutting as talked about earlier  after this we have a long hold on a close up of Alice in the classroom. We have cross faded this with a close up of Alice in the bath. This links as it shows that her feelings are the same. 

Shown in this post are all the different techniques we have explored through creation of our video. We have incoorprated many of these techniques and effects throughout.

First Editing of the House scene

The house scene was one which would be on screen during the fast pace of the chorus of our song. Therefore, I knew that the editing had to convey the argument between Alice and Ashleigh as quite aggressive.

Firstly, I looked through all of my clips and chose those which looked as though they would be most successful. 

As shown below, I was able to take my filming and cut it down in order to have only specific clips to put into my movie. This was helpful as it meant that I can take more than one clip from each section. Due to this scene being the argument, it was essential that we had different angles represented in the movie. Some points in the filming went wrong. Being able to use specific parts of the film was essential in creating a successful first draft. 

I was also able to use the 'Cross Fade' function. This allowed me to have successful transitions from one part of the argument to another. It also allowed me to maintain a fast pace through this scene which is crucial in presenting the violence of the argument and the build up to Alice's self destruction at the end.

Stretching the clip out allows me to adjust the specific sections easily. As there are many small sections put into this part of the editing, it is essential that I do not miss out any good parts of the filming or have them lost behind the other video clips. One example of this is me having missed out part of the clip where Ashleigh pushes Alice. I believe this shows her violence effectively so, in the second draft, it will be ensured to be put in.

PROBLEMS

Problems with this editing include that which is shown below. This is a print screen of part of the first edited draft. As you can see, Alice is laughing due to not being composed when arguing with Ashleigh. This has caused problems during filming at points as the two actresses sometimes find it difficult to keep composure. This part of the video will have to re-shot in time for the second draft. 

First Editing of the Memory Scene

For the memory scene, our group decided to make the clips in Black and White. This effect is commonly used in films and music videos. Therefore, we were very keen to incorporate this idea into our own. 

After our successful filming (made good due to the help from our other classmates), we used the few clips and went straight to editing it. 

Firstly, the clip needed to be made black and white. As shown below, it was easy to get the hang of. We were about to give the clip a 'Black and White effect. Other effects we could have used are shown below but we stuck with our original idea.

Shown below is the first edited draft of the memory scene. Although the black and white appears as a good effect, I believe that this film in general, does not work. I believe the pace should be slower and there needs to be more extreme close ups and close ups of Alice.

First Editing of the Lane Scene

For our movie, as shown, we decided to use 'Movie Plus X3'. After being shown to a certain extent, how to use it, we decided it would be the easiest option for us. After beginning to use it, I discovered that it was easy to get accustomed to. By using the 'import' and the 'add media' function, I was able to put any of my clips into the movie and was able to cut them down to use the sections I wanted.

To further improve my understanding of this program, I explored the side bar.

This allowed me to see 'how to' create a movie. It allowed me to expand my knowledge as well as letting me create a better movie.

Shown here is an example of how to edit on this program. As you can see, video track 1 is shown and here is where I am able to edit all my clips together. I can do this simply by 'dragging' the imported files from the left hand side of the screen down towards the storyboard.

Further examples of my editing is shown below. I edited trying to ensure that all of our different angles etc were used.

Problems: 

We need to further edit the scene when Alice gets the text message, maybe putting the text across the bottom of the screen.