Editing Techniques

Cut – This is the most common of a video transition. It means to replace one shot instantly with the next. When you shoot footage on your camera there is a cut between each shot.

Cross Fade / Dissolve – A fade takes one shot to the other is known as a crossfade, mix or dissolve. Crossfades have a more relaxed and slower pace. Crossfade could be used in situations; where it creates a mood, too slow the pace of the video, convey a sense of passing time or photomontages.

Shot-Reverse shot – This kind of shot is when it alternates from over the shoulder shots between a conversation with two people (another name for it would be. Keeps alternating from each persons shoulder until towards the end of the conversation where we see all the people involved in the conversation in one shot. The example picture to the right demonstrates the reverse shot in the best possible way. Simply how it alternates between each character's over the shoulder position showing the characters in dialogue, this is exactly what shot-reverse-shot is.

Jump Cut – A jump cut is a transition between two shots, which tend to ‘jump’ forward in time. This simply means that if a subject has been recorded then many different sections of the clip would be cut in-between, this would give the illusion of time going forward but is obvious to the audience that clips have been cut in-between.

Graphic Match / Cut Away – A graphic match is a cut within film editing when two objects look similar and it fades form the original object to the next similar object. The reason for using this is to create metaphorical meaning within the shot.

Parallel Editing / Intercutting – This is a technique which cuts between two separate events that are on going at the same time within the same context of the film. The image to the right is from the film v for vendetta and it displays parallel editing perfectly. It shows two different people at the same moment of time looking in the mirror, which is the effect that parallel editing should have.

Match On Action – This is a style of cut that connects two different views that are of the same action during the same moment. This would tend to be captured with a mutli-camera set-up. The picture below displays match on action, as there are of the same scene but two different angles. The first view is of them walking but showing the front view but the second view is of them walking with a view of the back.

Montage – The reason for using a montage would be to transgress a moment during a long period of time within a couple of minutes and showing the highlights of what had taken place. There tends to be background music that goes with the moment.

Wipe – This transition is very old and tends not to be seen on modern films. The shot is wiped from a screen to reveal the next shot. This picture shows of how the modern wipe tends to look like. Which instead of having the old style wipe (which just a line going across the screen) in these modern times mainly objects are used as a wipe. So the example below shows a man tying his laces and as a man walks past it wipes to a younger man getting up from tying his laces.

Mise-en-Scene

Mise-en-Scene Analysis / Description:

The meaning of Mise-en-Scene would be what you see in a current frame of a video. This would revolve around lighting, props, location, costume, character performance and set. In the picture above this can be analysed and broken down into all these categories.

Lighting

With lighting it is quite limited but seems to have a strong effect. The visible lighting in this frame would be the candle light's on the table. Most of the lighting seems to illuminated on the women in the middle and this connotes that she may have a strong part to play in this specific scene. There is no lighting visible lamps denoting that there may be a power outage and they have to use candles for light while eating. It is clearly night time outside as there is some darkness and the light of the candles is being mirrored on the window.

Props

There are quite a few props used in this frame. The props in this scene would count as all the cutlery, the food, wine glasses and the flowers. Props in this scene are used to show they are just normal people having a meal. Yet it does not seem that anyone is using the props and really would let the audience wonder what they are doing. Many speculations could be taken from the current frame, such as maybe they are making a pray or having a mid meal discussion. We can not see the hands of the women in the middle so we are unsure if she is eating or having her hands away from the props.

Location

In terms of location it is very obvious that they are a family on the dinning table. It does not seem to be localised specifically in a real life but more along the ethics of a set. We can not comment if location wise is perfect as we do not know that current area of the scene being shot, but it definitely looks realistic.

Costume
Costume wise everyone seems to be in there respected character. They style of clothing is neither modern or old fashioned but more in the middle giving the hint of a year zone. Taking a further look at the image one would speculate that this is 90's film due to there form of dress.

Character Performance
Not a lot can be said based on the character performance. Reason being is that this is only one frame over a whole production so it is practically impossible to judge there performance. Yet by just looking at the still its possible to just assume they are doing well and are playing the character well. This is noticeable dues to the facial expressions and how there body language is setup in the frame, it really shows that they are in character.

Set
With set it is easily noticeable where it is taking place. The whole setup looks exactly like a family having dinner together. The dining table is centred and we are able to see all the props on top of the table as well as the light which illuminates the scene.

Micro & Macro Analysis

Micro Analysis:

The meaning of micro means small, within the micro analysis we explore all the small bits which matter. There are a number of things to explore but the main ones are; Cinematography, Mise-en-Scene, Editing and Sound. Cinematography is the shooting and development of a film but is based on camera angles and movements, where different shot types tend to come in. Mise-en-Scne is what you see on one frame and one should focus on the props, location, lighting, costume, character performance, set. The editing also comes under micro analysis. With editing this is important as editing can really put perspective in a video and make it flare, same would go for images. When you edit something you can add to what is there and make it look more presentable and interesting instead of leaving it plain and bland. Sound comes in more within videography but it is important as well, because poor sound quality can put off the audience.

Macro Analysis:

The meaning of macro means big and within it we investigate the larger meanings that are present. The micro analysis is all made up from Genre, Representation & Narrative. Genre really tells you about what the production is going to be about, as if you know a selected film's genre is horror then it will be known that this film would be quite terrifying. With representation it would be how a specific character in a programme or film shows him self to be on camera so the audience can get an idea of what the character is like. The narrative is the story line and is what would make up the film and is in fact what the audience are about to watch.

Micro & Macro Analysis Task:

0:00 - 0:03 - We get a feel for the characters and understand what is the problem. The shot swaps between mid shots of both characters.

0:03 - 0:17 - There is a more of representation of the characters and that they have meet each other before. We can connote that the first encounter might of not been pleasant hence the one on one interaction of dialogue, which is leading to something

0:17 - 0:30 - Again there is a list of characters and one can presume the Genre is of an Action Superhero film due to the stated dialogue.

0:30 - 0:44 - There is a form of confrontation and trying to fear the enemy. Even there we hear music playing which makes it too be a serious moment, this is micro taking place.

0:44 - 1:03 For the rest of the scene there is very strong dialogue between the two characters. We get more of an idea of what they portray and both there objectives, also it represents them off there true identity (good or evil).

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Hello. My name is Othman and welcome to my blog based on AS Media Studies. I have never done Media Studies before and i am looking forward to the new things that i am going to learn and try to achieve the best grades possible.