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Film Production – Editor’s Journal

Posted on  by sleduc

Movie Editing Keyboard
“Movie Editing Keyboard” by thekirbster is licensed under CC BY 2.0 . 

An editor’s portfolio will be focused on the post-production stage more than most other roles. The main area of focus will be the pacing and rhythm of the final film, and making sure the cut effectively communicates to the audience. Focus in the commentary should be on pacing and narrative rhythm, the creation of tension, as well as editing styles (continuity or montage) and the effects of specific edits (straight cuts, dissolves, fades in and fades out) in terms of narrative purpose. The commentary should be focused on creativity and creation of narrative, mood, and atmosphere rather than discussing how the editor dealt with mistakes. It may be necessary to discuss how the editor used editing to cope with problems that occurred in the shoot. Evidence for the role of editor in this assessment task might involve (but is not limited to) the following.  – Film Assessment Clarification Document 2015 (PDF)

Goal

  • Create a journal documenting each stage of film production

Product

  • Create blog posts (3 total) with embedded media evidence for each of three production stages.

Examples

Explanation

  • Students need to conduct extensive research for the IB Film projects and need experience moving through the workflow of producing films

Production Steps Evidence Requirements

Pre-production Blog Post

Include all of the following requirements as evidence in your blog post:

  1. Brainstorm with the team regarding IDEAS, GENRE, CONCEPTS and GROUP INTENTIONS.
  2. Research the chosen GENRE and any INFLUENCES for the production of the film, identifying CONVENTIONS and DEVELOPING STYLE for the film.
  3. Make NOTATIONS on STORYBOARDS to plan a ROUGH EDIT or PRE-VISUALIZATION.
  4. Research and learn the EDITING SOFTWARE to be used.
  5. Go over the SCRIPT and make NOTE of ANY/ALL CHANGES BETWEEN TIME/PLACE and create a PLAN for these TRANSITIONS.
  6. Collaborate with the writer on APPROXIMATE TIMING/PLACING for EACH SCENE.
  7. Collaborate with the director about PACING, TRANSITIONS, EFFECTS and STYLE.
  8. Collaborate with the cinematographer regarding their SHOT LIST to ensure that there is ENOUGH COVERAGE PLANNED.
  9. Make a NOTE of any SPECIAL EFFECTS, NEW or TRICKY SHOTS that may require additional work in post-production.
  10. Carry out TEST SHOOTS for any difficult shots that require post-production (including, but not limited to, green screen, double exposure, masking, stop motion animation, match transitions).
  11. Collaborate with sound to determine SOUNDTRACK, SOUND EFFECTS and how it will match the GENERAL PACE/MOOD of EACH SEQUENCE.

Production Blog Post

Include all of the following requirements as evidence in your blog post:

  1. Collaborate with the director on any UPDATES to the SCRIPT while filming.
  2. Look over any DAILY PRODUCTION NOTES from the production team.
  3. Log, capture and upload FOOTAGE as soon as it is available and create an ORGANIZATION SYSTEM TO STORE, LABEL and BACK UP ALL FOOTAGE.
  4. Create a ROUGH CUT of the DAILY FOOTAGE so that any mistakes can be caught early. This enables the team to see how the film is shaping up in terms of continuity and sound.
  5. Begin working on TITLE or CREDIT SEQUENCES.

Post-production Blog Post

Include all of the following requirements as evidence in your blog post:

  1. Assemble and organize all FOOTAGE.
  2. Create a ROUGH EDIT.
  3. Collaborate with the director and writer about the ROUGH EDIT, highlight any MAJOR ISSUES/CHANGES and make a DECISION on any POSSIBLE RESHOOTS.
  4. Keep a DAILY LOG of WORK ACCOMPLISHED and QUESTIONS for other members of the team.
  5. Collaborate with sound to obtain the SOUNDTRACK, SOUND EFFECTS and any OTHER RECORDED SOUND.
  6. Collaborate with the cinematographer on any CHANGES TO COLORING, CROPPING or IMAGE CHANGES.
  7. Provide an OPPORTUNITY for the team to view the film and PROVIDE FEEDBACK or SUGGESTIONS.
  8. Attend a test screening and make a NOTE of REACTIONS or SUGGESTIONS to the FINAL CUT.
  9. Consider how the WORK COULD BE IMPROVED (but avoid blaming equipment or other people involved).

Schedule

  • Pre-production
    • Create a blog post titled, PROJECT NAME Film Pre-Production – Editor’s Journal
      • Create headings for:
        • Summary
        • Test Shots
        • Planning and Collaboration with Screenwriter
        • Planning and Collaboration with Director
        • Planning and Collaboration with Cinematographer
        • Influences from Films
        • Storyboard Notation
        • Editing Program
        • What I Learned and Problems I Solved
    • Research material …
    • Explore and select the Cinematic Storytelling conventions you want to highlight in the film from the resources section below
    • Plan and test for editing of the film
    • Fill in evidence for each heading of the blog post
    • Publish blog post
  • Production
    • Create a blog post titled, PROJECT NAME Film Production – Editor’s Journal
      • Create headings for:
        • Summary
        • Collating Rushes from The Filming
        • Contribution to the Shooting
        • Challenges Faced During Shooting
        • Assistance Given to The Production Team
        • What I Learned
    • Assist in filming, write notes for editing
    • Fill in evidence for each heading of the blog post
    • Publish blog post
  • Post-production
    • Create a blog post titled, PROJECT NAME Film Post-Production – Editor’s Journal
      • Create headings for:
        • Summary
        • Discussions with Director
        • Test Edits
        • Contributions with The Director
        • Editing Software Screenshots
        • How I Could Have Improved The Film
        • What I Learned and Problems I Solved
    • Edit the film
    • Fill in evidence for each heading of the blog post
    • Publish blog post

Film Language Resources

  • Film language research from Cinematic Storytelling by Jennifer Van Sijll
    • Cinematic Storytelling book and website
      • 4. Editing: Pudovkin’s Five Editing Techniques 
        • 18. Montage
        • 19. Assembly
        • 20. Mise-en-Scéne
        • 21. Intercutting
        • 22. Split Screen
        • 23. Dissolves
        • 25. Smash Cut
      • 8. Scene Transitions (Audio and Visual) 
        • 42. Matching Audio Segue
        • 43. Audio Bridge (Dialog)
        • 44. Audio Bridge (Sound Effects)
        • 45. Visual Match-Cut (Graphic Similarity)
        • 46. Visual Match-Cut (Pattern and Color)
        • 47. Visual Match-Cut Action
        • 48. Visual Match-Cut (Idea)
        • 50. Extended Match Dissolve (Time Transition)
        • 51. Disrupted Match-Cut

Other Resources

Tools

  • iMovie
  • Adobe Premiere Pro

Feedback Form

Other Forms

Posted in Le DucTagged Cinematographer, Cinematography, Editing, Editor, Film, Film Production, IB, Production, Workflow