What we learnt from using technology along with editing our thriller film opening:
This picture shows how we learnt to import music and then insert it into our film. The only problem we had was that the bars we could put sound into wouldn't let us, so we had to import the music again.
Having the technology really helped the audio come together for the opening two minutes. We were able to search the Internet for the music so that we could include music and sound effects throughout the film. Using the computer we copied music from YouTube to iTunes and then imported it into our two minutes.
This picture shows how we learnt to add and create titles. This was one of the things we found most difficult but in the end we created and added 6 titles to our film. The clip specifically shows us learning how to add a title we have already created.
This picture shows how we learnt to create titles. Here we have just created Kelly's name as an actor under a clip of her. We had to position the title where we wanted it by dragging the text, and then we had to place the title on the timescale so we could have it at the same time as her walking along the street.
This picture shows how we learnt to make titles longer so that they would go on many clips and not just one. in the end we decided to have peoples names at the bottom of one clip of them for the whole period of that clip. We needed to make some titles longer to do this. so we learnt how to select the edge of a box and stretch it as far as we wanted so that we could elongate a clip for the film.
Here shows us learning to stick to the time of 2 minutes as it was very hard because we had captured lots of shots to make sure we got the perfect one.
knowing how to cut bits out was very useful with showing the main sections of an important scene but making sure that we stuck to the time plan (two minutes). We could highlight blocks for audio and titles and stretch it in the scale above so that we could position the effect to run along certain scenes and set how long we wanted them to appear on the screen too. With the clips we learnt how to get rid of all the ones we felt weren't significant as our film opening was too long.
We learnt how to completely demolish certain sections of the film that we felt either did not work anymore or ones that we had tried out to experiment while filming. Also there were times where we had to re -arrange the time line of the scenes so that it flowed smoothly and made sense of the plot. Using the technology, we learnt how to join scenes and delete clips that were irrelevant to the film. To do this we just clicked on a section of the timescale and then selected 'Clear'. We could then join the next scene to the rest of the film and carry on editing.
While making our film we learnt how to use special effects, such as blur and sharpen. This specific effect went especially well with the scenes of the characters walking down the street as it added to the confusion and the time of day (being early in the morning). We added in a dark blur between some sections because the more miserable and dull it looked added to the vulnerability of the victim. To do this we had to select effects and click on the option we thought was best for the moment.
Learning how to use video effects was important for the thriller opening as it gave us the freedom to be able to create the effect we thought would be best to fit the theme and go along with the plot. Having the effects separated into different folders helped us have more of an idea of what our thriller opening was capable of. To do this we learnt how to click on the folders and select from the drop down menu that appeared showing all the ways that we could improve the two minute opening. We enjoyed learning these effects as before we added them to our film we felt that all the clip changes were very blunt and clear and this was not the mood we wanted to constantly create.
We have learnt how to import pieces of music and sound effects from youtube as we needed a heartbeat, lincon park soundtrack and an ambulance sound. We have the sound we chose in our film opening and to create tension. In order to add the sound into our film; we had to select the 'import' button from file menu, and import songs which we had saved in iTunes. This process was fairly simple and helped emphasize specific moments in the film's opening. Using this bit of technology played a huge part in making sure that our opening met the brief and kept to the theme of the film.
(For this to work we had to drag the audio from the top left hand corner down to the timescale so that it started and stopped in the right places during the two minutes of film.)
We learnt how to use the sound effects and music once it was imported. For instance when the audio was imported it showed up in a list. This showed us what we had selected and let us drag it from the list to the audio set timescale underneath the video timescale. Also by having the symbols next the titles showed us what type of file it was e.g. (speaker = music audio)
When creating our final opening we found knowing how to import music very helpful as the sounds in our clip create the main atmosphere which goes well alongside the acting.
While creating our final opening for the thriller we had to learn the basics as we had never used the mac before. we learnt that the red line shown on the timescale is what we use to select different parts of the clip when we need to change and edit them. We learnt that to select a place, we had to click and hold the blue blob on top of the line and drag it along the timescale. We used this to find unwanted clips, by slowing down the action in the screen we could see where the scene needed to end. The red line showed us the time duration of the film, therefore we learnt how to make it two minutes and meet the breif. This helped alot with the scenes as we could change the order to either show the aftermath of what happens or keep the suspense built by leaving more clips of the street and the rooms in the house.
A simple edit we learnt how to do first was how to delete certain parts of the clips we had filmed. We learnt how to use the razor to cut sections to he size we wanted and then the cursor tool to delete the section.
To erase a section or a scene from our opening, all we had to do was select the box where a clip happened and hold down on the mouse.
It was important to the opening to be able to erase sections and scenes as there were repetitions and outtakes of clips that we filmed which if viewed in the opening would have spoilt the targeted effect.
We needed to know how to do this as for each clip we filmed it 3 times so we could chose the best clip and the one that was the most efficient.
We learnt that the razor tool cut sections, and that you could zoom in to cut tiny sections out and then delete.
Overall, i think that the technology we learnt to use played a huge part in making sure that we brought all of our ideas to life and created exsactly what we imagined for an appropriate thriller opening.
