SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1

Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

Assignment Details Contents

Title: Social Action & the Community Film This is your third assignment brief, covering
Assessor: Patsy Mullan Learning Outcomes 1, 2, & 3. Included here is
School: Media, Multimedia & Performing Arts an Overview of the Unit, explaining the topic
and outlining what is expected of you.
Programme level: 3 Assignment number:
You covered the Indicative Content in class
2
so refer to it when doing your assignment.
Issue date: 14/11/17 Interim hand-in (if Make sure to read, understand and follow the
applicable): N/A Scenario and Tasks to complete the
Feedback: 25/01/18 Preliminary assignment.
Hand in date: The criteria for Pass, Merit and Distinction
14/12/17 are included. You are expected to achieve at
least a Pass Grade.
Final Hand in Due: Tasks, 1 – LO1.1, 2 – LO1.2, 3 – LO1.3, 4 –
11/01/18 LO2.1
5 – LO2.2, 6 – LO3.1, 7 – LO3.2, 8 – LO3.3
IV: IV date: 7/9/17

Editing of film or video material is an essential part of any audio-visual production. Without
the process of removing, adding and manipulating source material, all film and video would
have to be shot in sequence and without mistakes.
The process of editing involves making creative decisions about source material. It
provides an opportunity for the creativity of the filming stage to be continued through to
the finished product.
Learners will be able to experiment with editing processes and use their skills in the
production of their own film production. They should learn that editing is not merely a
technical process, but also an aesthetic one and they should be able to demonstrate this
understanding through both their practice and the articulation of principles.
Overview
This assignment aims to develop learners’ skills in editing short moving image productions
using moving image and sound technologies employed in the contemporary media industry.
It will develop learners’ understanding of how visual and audio sequences communicate
ideas and information and develop their technical skills in editing film production. Learners
will be introduced to a wide range of techniques and technologies to enable them to
record image and sound and editing using either FCPX or Adobe Premier Pro CC
This assignment is designed to develop learners’ ability to underpin knowledge and
understanding of a range of film and video editing techniques.

Scenario
Students are to work in teams or on their own to devise, shoot and edit a film based on a
social action and the community project. Duration is to between five to ten minutes. The
purpose of this project is to let students explore and experiment with the camera to record
video and audio material and to gain knowledge and skills of how to combine visuals and
audio to create an appropriate film narrative for chosen community organisation.
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

It is also about developing further editing skills and knowledge using either FCPX or
Premier Pro CC
Be as creative and resourceful to create a professional production. It is important that you
gain knowledge and understanding of the technology and processes involved in editing.
Produce a portfolio of work that deals with the three learning outcome and reference
material that is appropriate for evidence for each assessment criteria up to distinction
level. Refer to portfolio of evidence included with assignment brief for assistance.

Tasks Pass Criteria

SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

P1 Development: in-camera editing; following the action; multiple points of Assessment and
view; shot variation; manipulation of diegetic time and space; film, video; grading criteria.
analogue; digital. In order to pass
this unit, the
Task 1. Provide a written report to explain your understanding of the above
evidence that the
media terms, also provide written details about camera and audio equipment
you use to record production work. P1 M1 D1 learner presents
for assessment
P1 Purposes: storytelling, e.g. engaging the viewer, development of drama, needs to
relationship to genre, creating motivation; combining shots into sequences; demonstrate that
creating pace. they can meet all
the learning
Task 2. Describe how the above media terms are important to moving image outcomes for the
productions. Give an account of how you are intending to employ editing
unit. The
techniques and processes to tell your story? P1 M1 D1
assessment
P1 Conventions and techniques: seamless; continuity; motivated; montage; criteria for a pass
jump-cutting; parallel editing; 180o rule; splicing; transitions, e.g. cut, grade describe the
dissolve, fade, wipe; cutaways; point of view shot; shot-reverse-shot; level of
providing and withholding information; editing rhythm; crosscutting; cutting achievement
to soundtrack. required to pass
this unit.
Task 3. Provide a written report to explain what the above editing
conventions and techniques mean and give an account of the editing
To achieve a
techniques you plan to use in your production. P1 M1 D1
pass grade the
P2 Preparation techniques: checking material for faults; marking up a script; evidence must
labelling tapes; storing tapes or film; producing an edit decision list; creating show that the
bins; clarifying the purpose of the work with a client. learner is able
to:
Task 4. Write about and describe the editing terms and processes mentioned P1 describe
above. P2 M2 D2 the
development
P2 Preparing to edit: importing clips; bins; timelines; storage and folder
and principles
management; online and offline editing; formats; resolution.
of editing with
Task 5. Provide screen shots of the editing techniques used. Command – some
Shift – 4 and select the relevant material on screen. appropriate
Screen shots of clips, bins, timeline, etc. P2 M2 D2 use of subject
terminology
P3 Editing technology: software applications; hardware, e.g. non-linear, high
definition; exporting productions; file types, e.g. H264 QUICKTIME, mov,
compression.
P2 apply
editing
Task 6. Describe what editing techniques you used to produce the work and
provide a list of all editing equipment employed in production process. P3 M3 preparation
D3 techniques
with some
P3 Editing process: use appropriate techniques, e.g. seamless, continuity, assistance
motivated, montage, jump-cutting, parallel editing; use appropriate
transitions, e.g. cut, dissolve, fade, wipe; use appropriate conventions, e.g.
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10
Merit Criteria
To achieve a merit, grade the evidence
must show that, in addition to the pass
criteria, the learner is able to:
M1 explain the development and
principles of editing with reference to
detailed illustrative examples and with
generally correct use of subject
terminology
M2 apply editing preparation techniques
competently with only occasional
assistance
M3 apply editing techniques to a good
technical standard showing some
imagination and with only occasional
assistance.
Guidance
Further Guidance & Sources
Library Books and Ebooks
Wohl, Apple pro training series: Final
Michael cut pro 7 advanced editing
Wohl, Apple pro training series: Final
Michael cut pro 7 advanced editing
Rumsey,
Francis
Sound and recording.
Mccormick,
Tim
Wolsky, Tom Final Cut Express 4 editing
Distinction Criteria
To achieve a distinction, grade the evidence
must show that, in addition to the pass and
merit criteria, the learner is able to:
D1 critically assess the development
and principles of editing with
supporting arguments and elucidated
examples, and consistently using
subject terminology correctly
D2 apply editing preparation
techniques to a technical quality that
reflects near- professional standards,
working independently to professional
expectations
D3 apply editing techniques to a technical
quality that reflects near-professional
standards, showing creativity and flair and
working independently
Issue Desk NORTHLAND,
778.593
Standard Loan, Available (1)
Main library NORTHLAND,
778.593
Standard Loan, Available (1)
Main library NORTHLAND,
621.3893
Standard Loan, Available (1)
Main library NORTHLAND, 006.6
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

workshop. Standard Loan, Available (1)

The Technique of film and video
Dancyger, Main library NORTHLAND,
editing: history,theory and 778.535
Ken Standard Loan, Available (1)
practice.

Main library
Wohl, Editing techniques in Final Cut
NORTHLAND, Standard 778.5930
Michael Pro5.
Loan, Available (1)
Issue Desk
Wohl, Advanced Editing Techniques in
NORTHLAND, Standard 778.5930/DVD
Michael Final Cut Pro5, Disk Two
Loan, Available (1)
Audio post production for
Wyatt, Main library
television and film: an
Hilary NORTHLAND, Standard 778.52344
introduction to technology and
Amyes, Tim Loan, Available (1)
techniques.
Levin, C.
Post: The Theory and Technique Main library
Melinda
of Digital Nonlinear Motion NORTHLAND, Standard 778.535
Watkins,
Picture Editing Loan, Available (1)
Fred P
Main library
Holman,
Sound for film and television. NORTHLAND, Standard 778.5344
Tomlinson
Loan, Available (2)
Main library
Balmuth,
Introduction to Film editing NORTHLAND, Standard 778.535
Bernard
Loan, Available (1)
Main library
Millerson, The Technique of television NORTHLAND,
791.45
Gerald production. Standard Loan,
Available (2)
Main library
Final cut express 4 editing NORTHLAND,
Wolsky, Tom 006.6/CD
workshop Standard Loan,
Available (1)
Issue Desk
Advanced Editing
Wohl, NORTHLAND,
Techniques in Final Cut 778.5930/DVD
Michael Standard Loan,
Pro5, Disk One
Available (1)
Stop-motion filming and
Brierton, Main library NORTHLAND,
performance: a guide to cameras, 778.53
Tom Standard Loan, Available (1)
lighting and dramatic techniques.
Hardy, The pocket essential filming on a
[E-book] 791.43023
Paul micro budget
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

Research material sourced about film at;

URL http://classes.yale.edu/film-analysis
Cyber College for notes on film Editing
www.filmsite.org.uk - for film genres, narrative structure and codes and conventions,
www.screenonline - for TV drama genres, narrative structure and codes and conventions
British Film Institute Resources at WWW.bfi.org.uk
British Film Institute Magazine at WWW.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

Copy and paste this into a word document and write your report to address
all the headings listed.

Portfolio of Evidence to be presented by each student for:

Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques

SOCIAL ACTION & THE COMMUNITY FILM ASSIGNMENT

Name: ________________________________________
Please provide a written comment that deals with all the italicized tasks below.
You don’t need to write about all of listed content but it essential that you write
about a minimum of two of the sub headings for the learning outcomes.
Unit content

LO1. UNDERSTAND THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRINCIPLES OF EDITING

LO1.1 Development: in-camera editing; following the action; multiple points of view;
shot variation; manipulation of diegetic time and space; film, video; digital.

In-camera editing: In-camera editing is where the director and/or cinematographer

shoot a production in a strict sequential order. It is widely accepted that In-camera
editing was created by the Lumiere brothers, as back when the Lumiere brothers
were making pioneering advances in film there was no easy way to edit. Due to the
lack of ability to edit, they would have to shoot the sequence in the order it was
going to be shown on screen to the audience as the finished product. In-camera
editing is more complicated than just shooting the sequence in a non-chronological
order and then reassembling the produced edit in a program, this is because
editing in the camera as you shoot means you have to painstakingly and thoroughly
plan out every shot and sequence meticulously before you record, and then shoot
the exact shots perfectly to correctly convey the planned sequence when
assembled. Here is an example of in-camera editing done by the Lumiere brothers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYpKZx090UE
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

Following the action: Following the action is most easily and fluidly produced in a
multi-camera setup, however that is not to say that stunning results can’t be had in
a single camera setup. Following the action is when you follow the main subject or
actor in the shot very intimately. For example, in a high energy action sequence, it
will engage the viewers more to be able to physically follow the action of the
scene, in comparison, watching a still shot of an action sequence can be quite
disengaging due to the audience not feeling immersed in the scene.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H64K4nKT5A

Multiple points of view: Writing from more than one point of view, (POV) means
writing as or in the point of view of multiple characters that are involved in a
certain scene. Generally multiple points of view are achieved by using a single
camera set-up, they re-shoot the scene multiple times, each time focusing on a
different character. Usually they cut together the sequence of all the characters
points of view, and edit it into one seamless sequence to make a scene.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZO44C9abSU

Shot Variation: Shot variation is very important in a production, as it is one of the

main ways of engaging the audience. Repetitive shots disengage and bore the
audience. All the different shots you can use in film or any other production were
all created to convey a distinct meaning to the audience, for example, High angled
shots make the subject or character in a scene look small and vulnerable. Low
angled shots make a subject or character look dominant and intimidating. Shot
variation is a key element in any production as it controls what the viewer
perceives to be happening on screen. Shot variation can indicate to the audience
something as subtle as foreshadowing, or even the mental state of a character.
This is why shot variation is important in a production.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XugS48r4Kkg&t=238s

Manipulation of diegetic time and space: Manipulation of diegetic time and space is
most famously known in training montages, especially in the Rocky movies, as
training montages are a staple of the progression of the storyline for that series of
films. Manipulation of diegetic time and space refers to the manipulation of time
and space in the world a film or production has created. This is used to show the
progression of a usually long period of time in a very short space of time to convey
the passing of time to the audience to see the results of a storyline arc in a clear
and concise way.
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-8hOKNbtxg

Film: Film has more than one meaning. There is physical film, which is usually a
thin strip of plastic coated with emulsion that is light sensitive that is put into a
camera to make moving pictures or photography. This then turns into the other
definition of film, which is ‘a story or event recorded by a camera as a set of
moving images and shown in a cinema or on television.’

Video: Video is different to film, and it is only digital, and therefore the pictures it
produces can’t be called ‘moving pictures’, but rather ‘visual images’ encoded in
digital data and then are displayed in rapid succession to create a moving video.

Analogue & Digital: Analogue video is transferred by an analogue signal. Digital

video is different as it is transferred by digital data and both signals have different
wavelengths, with digital being a lot better in transferring, and being more concise.

Task 1. Provide a written report to explain your understanding of the above media
terms, also provide written details about camera and audio equipment you use to
record production work. P1 M1 D1

LO1.2 Purposes: storytelling, e.g. engaging the viewer, development of drama,

relationship to genre, creating motivation; combining shots into sequences;
creating pace.

Engaging the viewer: Engaging the viewer is the aim and goal of any production, a
well written production is key, as well as good sound, shot variation, and good
editing. All the elements of a production have to come together in a harmonious
and clear way to best engage the viewer. This is achieved by years of production
before the finished result is ever even shown to the world.

Development of drama: The development of drama is initially determined by the

director and writer before production begins, as they have an idea in their head of
what they want the finished product to be like. Once the production is written they
can set about developing the drama in production, then they move on to develop it
technically with the pacing they decide to use when editing the rough finished
version of the production. Deciding what pacing would be suited to best showcase
the development of the storyline. The development of drama has everything to do
with achieving the intended emotive responses and reactions from the audience.
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

The pacing coupled with the shots the director decides to use are meant to
intensify the emotional reactions from the audience.

Relationship to genre: Different genres of film and productions require different

techniques and planning aspects in order to convey the intended genre correctly.
For example, horror films tend to have a generally fast pace, this is used
intentionally in order to evoke physical reactions from the audience such as
suspense and tension due to the viewers impending fear of when the next scare
will be. A staple of the horror movie genre is the low angled shot as it induces fear
or intimidation into the audience in regards to a particular character or subject. In
comparison, productions that are shot in a Classical Hollywood style famously
employ the use of establishing shots and generally have slow paced editing to drive
the storyline forward in a clear and linear way that the audience can follow easily.

Creating motivation: Creating motivation plays a big part in keeping the audience
engaged in a production, and is therefore a key aspect in a production during the
planning and scripting phase. The camera shots you choose to use in a scene plays
a particularly big part in creating motivation as it is what the audience will see and
therefore base their reactions off when viewing the production. So placing
emphasis on a particular character or cutting between two different characters
during an emotional scene and using shots such as close ups would draw emotive
responses from the audience, creating motivation or other intended emotions in
the viewers.

Combining shots into sequences: Usually a sequence is shot in a non-linear way on

set to take advantage of time and locations, and is then reassembled into a linear
sequence later during editing in post-production. You know that you’ve made a
successful sequence whenever the sequence is linear and there is no continuity
errors, or other errors, such as breaking the 180 degree rule.

Creating pace: Pacing is one of the most important aspects in engaging the
audience. The pace of a film controls how the audience perceives it. For example,
action movies generally use fast pacing in order to drive the adrenaline fuelled
story forward using quick shots to create the pace. But a romance film would use
slower pacing, and longer shots to draw attention to body language and emotions.
Pacing is used so the audience can understand a scene in its entirety.

Task 2. Describe how the above media terms are important to moving image
productions. Give an account of you are intending to employ editing techniques and
processes to tell your story? P1 M1 D1
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

LO1.3 Conventions and techniques: seamless; continuity; motivated; montage;

jump-cutting; parallel editing; 180o rule; splicing; transitions, e.g. cut, dissolve,
fade, wipe; cutaways; point of view shot; shot-reverse-shot; providing and
withholding information; editing rhythm; crosscutting; cutting to soundtrack.

Seamless: Seamless editing is very commonly used, and is when a sequence is

created with no continuity errors and is easy and clear for the audience to follow,
the aim of seamless editing is to blend a sequence together perfectly so the
audience doesn’t acknowledge the cuts or transitions in the editing.

Continuity: Continuity is crucial in a production in order to not jar the audience. It

is keeping the background consistent as well as the rest of the elements in the
scene, such as body language as well as adhering to the 180 degree rule,
continuity editing is the act of seamlessly tying shots together into a sequence.

Motivated: Motivated editing is generally used to suspend the audiences disbelief

in a production, used commonly in flashbacks to make another object the focal
point of a frame or scene, however discreetly, as to not jar the audience, but simply
draw attention to what the director wants to be seen, Motivated editing is primarily
justified by narrative means, and is used in a subtle manner to usually foreshadow
an event and help the audience to come to a conclusion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrcFysRcQyQ

Montage: In montage editing, the manipulation of diegetic space and time is a key
aspect used in order to have the montage come across successfully and
accurately. Famously used in the rocky movies, Montage editing is a series of short
shots manipulated and condensed to show the passing of time or fully represent an
action or idea in a clear manner in a short space of time that’s easy for the
audience to follow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F83A_jccTW4&t=3s

Jump-cutting: Jump cutting employs two sequential successive shots. Simply put,
jump-cutting is an editing technique that manipulates time and represents the
passing of time in a clear way that doesn’t disturb the continuity or pacing of a
scene, so as to not jar the audience. As an example, if a character is sitting at a
bar, you might use a jump cut to cut forward to the end of the night to the character
passed out with his head on the table.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH4cNrUB4ss
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

Parallel editing: Parallel editing, or cross cutting, is an editing technique that

employs the use of two interconnected separate scenes that primarily happen
simultaneously but in alternating locations, with the intention of drawing the
audience’s attention to either focal subject, which will usually end up being a key
subject or having a key role. The two scenes usually end up intersecting and
resulting in a climax in the storyline.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYwOsltr3J0

180o rule: The 180 degree rule is a key guideline to having seamless
cinematography, however it can be disregarded in experimental film making, or
purposefully in order to jar the audience. The 180 degree rule is an invisible line
that you have in a film that is used to maintain a seamless one sided relationship
visually in regards to 2 subjects, if this is disregarded it becomes a reverse angle,
and this typically jars the audience.

Splicing: Splicing is used in film in order to make a scene continuous shots.

Splicing was created when there was no means of editing easily, it was a tedious
task, where you had a splicer and cut up the film reel into different small pieces,
before putting them together once again into a projector, this was used to create a
cutaway that is not unlike the regular editing sequence of today.

Transitions, e.g. cut, dissolve, fade, wipe; cutaways: Regardless of what type of
media it is, editors use different transitions to move from one subject or clip to
another. Here are some examples of well-known cuts used in media: The regular
film cut is the most common transition used, it seamlessly moves from one scene
to another in a quick and instant cut. A dissolve is a gradual overlap of two
different shots, one coming to its end and one being the next shot after that, the
dissolve fades away to let the scene continue seamlessly. A fade is a shot that
gradually fades into black, and then fades into the next, it can be used very
poignantly. A wipe transition is a cut that visually replaces another shot by
travelling across the screen, usually from one end to another. Lastly, a cutaway
transition is a shot that is interrupted to show another focal subject, and is usually
followed by cutting back to the continuing original shot.

Point of view shot: A point of view, or POV shot, is a shot that is subjective to a
subject or actor, and visually follows the subject’s perspective, and it usually
shows whose POV it is. The POV shot is used and seen commonly in horror films, so
the audience can see from and know where the assailant is at all times, it is used
to build up suspense in the audience.
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2ftMhJ80dQ

Shot-reverse-shot: Shot-reverse-shot is an editing technique that employs editing

together shots that include two alternate subjects or characters. This is most
commonly seen in conversations between two characters in a scene. It is used to
keep seamless continuity, as the viewer will assume the two characters are
looking directly at each other even if we only show them one characters face.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0xiCIMIwLY

Providing and withholding information: Providing and withholding information is all

about timing. The editor, working closely with the director and writer, must decide
when would be best to give key information to the audience, and when to withhold
it. This is a key part of editing in order to keep the pace of a scene.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7Hu3HeLLW8

Editing rhythm: Editing rhythm works hand in hand with controlling the pace of a
film, editing rhythm typically refers to the length of shots however. This is achieved
whenever the length of shots form a pattern and therefore set an engraved and
easy to follow rhythm that corresponds with and helps set the pacing in a
sequence.

Crosscutting: Cross-cutting is the same as parallel editing and is where two

sequences are interconnected and have actions occurring at the same that
correspond in separate cuts in a sequence to make it obvious to the audience that
the two actions are occurring simultaneously and make it easy for the audience to
follow.

Cutting to soundtrack: Cutting to soundtrack is a commonly used technique in film

making, where the pace and editing are set by the soundtrack that is used and
heard in a sequence. For instance, at a funeral there would be a solemn soundtrack
and show paced editing, but in a car chase, there would be a fast soundtrack, and
the editing and pace of the scene would be fast and action filled in order to match
the soundtrack.

Task 3. Provide a written report to explain what the above editing conventions and
techniques mean and give an account of the editing techniques you plan to use in
your production. P1 M1 D1
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

LO2. BE ABLE TO PREPARE MOVING IMAGE MATERIAL FOR EDITING

LO2.1 Preparation techniques: checking material for faults; logging and storing
clips in folder; creating libraries/bins; creating projects; clarifying the purpose of
the work with a client

Checking material for faults: It is crucial in media that you double check everything
for faults, having faults in footage or audio could compromise the entire production
and put you behind schedule, which could be detrimental to the finished
production. An important fault you have to keep your eye out for in footage is
making sure that footage isn’t overexposed and can be played back. In audio, you
want to make sure that the sound is recorded correctly and close enough to get
high quality, if this isn’t achieved you might have to reshoot the entire shot.

Logging and storing clips in folder: NEVER just put all your clips in your desktop,
the key to a good production is organisation, as such, it is highly important to log
and store your clips in organised and easily assessable folders. Video files are
much larger than most other types of files. A good way to organise video files in
your editing program, is to create a separate folder to keep the raw, unedited
footage, audio and graphics in, this makes the unedited clips and other files easily
assessable should you need to retrieve them at a later stage in production. From
them onwards you can go on to create and draft the finished production in a clear
and organised manner.

Creating libraries/bins: Creating libraries and bins is highly important once again in
the organisation of a production. You want all the information and media you put in
to be edited to be easily assessable and retrievable for when you want to use them
in a production. As such, organising and creating libraries and bins for different
scenes and productions are key in being able to affectively store, organise and
create productions.

Creating projects: Creating projects is very important in a production, as a project

keeps all of your work for a certain project organised and easy to manage. So in
order to have a well organised and successful project, choosing your editing
software that would best suit your project is subjective to personal opinion. In my
opinion premiere pro is better for project organising, however Final cut has all the
same options. But creating projects is very important in media.

Clarifying the purpose of the work with a client: The key job of an editor is making
sure the client is happy with the resulting production, and thinks that the
consumers would like it. The nearest thing that can explain what working with a
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

client is similar to is working towards an assignment brief, as the boundaries and

time constraints are one in the same.

Task 4. Write about and describe the editing terms and processes mentioned above

LO2.2 preparing to edit: importing clips to documents folder; creating libraries bins
and saving to project document folder; timelines; storage and folder management
of all film, audio and graphics; formats; resolution;

Importing clips to documents folder: Nowadays we generally import footage using a

card based camera. So instead of using the log and capture technique that is done
by hooking your camera up to a computer and manually logging points for each clip
you want to create, we import footage using a ‘log and transfer’ method. This is
where you select separate clips and import them a lot more quickly and easily,
however some cameras need the format of their clips changed before you can
import and edit them.

Creating libraries bins and saving to project document folder timelines: Having
libraries of clips corresponding to separate projects is important for organisation,
and it is a good organisational sill to have separate bins for differing projects, this
means that you can keep the chosen clips for the final edit neatly in the project,
and the disregarded clips organised and effectively stored in the bin, ready to be
deleted whenever the project is finished.

Storage and folder management of all film, audio and graphics: folder management
is key in media, it is a good habit to get into to have separate backup folders of all
your unedited film, audio and graphics. This guarantees the safety of your footage
and allows you to complete and organise your footage through all stages of
production, this tip is very handy, as should, at any stage, someone on the crew
need the footage or sound from a scene, you will have the original clip easily
assessable and at hand.

Formats: Knowing your format you’re editing with is very important, it is also
important to pre-emptively know what format you’re going to export your footage
in. For example, H.264 is the format you generally use to export video online, but
DVCPRO HD is easier to edit. Every format has its advantages and disadvantages,
this is why it is important to know and understand the formats you’re working with.

Resolution: the resolution of your footage is how high definition your footage is
once it’s uploaded. The standard resolution of footage is usually around 640x480,
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

however these days’ people expect HD quality to be uploaded. Which is around

1280x720 or 1920x1080.

Task 5. Provide screen shots of the editing techniques used. Command – Shift – 4
and select the relevant material on screen.
Screen shots of clips, libraries/bins, projects, timeline, effects, transitions,
graphics, titles, credits etc.

LO3. BE ABLE TO EDIT MOVING IMAGE MATERIAL

LO3.1 Editing technology:

Software applications: Software applications, or ‘end of user’ programs, are usually

a program or programs that allow people to interact with them, some examples of
these include Windows 10, which serves its purpose as an operating system, or
Microsoft Expression Web, which serves as a HTML editor, or basic productivity
programs such as Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. Some examples of these for editing
would be Adobe Premiere Pro, however I tend to favour Final Cut Pro over Premiere

when it comes to editing my projects.

Hardware: There can be hardware for various things, but in a computer, and more
specifically in a computer that is good for editing, the main components and
hardware to look for would be a good CPU processor, hard drive storage, RAM
memory, and graphics card. The hardware I use for editing is the Apple iMac
provided by the college, which has all of the above that I would need for a good
editing computer.
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

High definition: These days’ people expect HD quality to be uploaded. Which is

1280x720 or 1920x1080. However if you have the resources and budget you could
also create films in FHD, or Full High Definition, which is 3840x2160.

Standard definition: The standard resolution of footage that is exported and

uploaded is usually around 640x480, these are smaller files, however generally it
would not be taken well if a product was shown in this resolution nowadays.

Hard disc: A hard disk employs the use of a hard drive to employ a quick and
efficient, portable way to store and upload a lot of information. It’s used to write
information onto a hard disc, which has a very large storage capacity.

Exporting productions: Exporting a production is when you finish a production and

are ready to move onto distributing and letting people view your production, the
finished product has to be exported from an editing program, but one that is done it
can be viewed without the use of the editing program.

File types, H.264 quick time: H.264 is the format you generally use to export video
online, however High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), or H.265, is H.264 quick
time’s up and coming successor, due to the low compression rate of H.264 that
H.265 can surpass.

Mov: Mov is the most commonly seen mp4 format used and seen to store video
files, due to its ability to have small files without any loss of quality.

Compression: Compressing files is a very important aspect of film making, as some

projects require very large files to be transferred. This is where compressing files
comes in. This enables a large file to take up marginally less storage, therefore
meaning that transferring the reassigned files is much easier.
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

Task 6. Describe what editing techniques you used to produce the work and
provide a list of all editing equipment employed in production process.

LO3.2 Editing process: use appropriate techniques, e.g:

Seamless: Seamless editing is very commonly used, and is when a sequence is

created with no continuity errors and is easy and clear for the audience to follow,
the aim of seamless editing is to blend a sequence together perfectly so the
audience doesn’t acknowledge the cuts or transitions in the editing.

Continuity: Continuity is crucial in a production in order to not jar the audience. It

is keeping the background consistent as well as the rest of the elements in the
scene, such as body language as well as adhering to the 180 degree rule,
continuity editing is the act of seamlessly tying shots together into a sequence.

Motivated: Motivated editing is generally used to suspend the audiences disbelief

in a production, used commonly in flashbacks to make another object the focal
point of a frame or scene, however discreetly, as to not jar the audience, but simply
draw attention to what the director wants to be seen, Motivated editing is primarily
justified by narrative means, and is used in a subtle manner to usually foreshadow
an event and help the audience to come to a conclusion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrcFysRcQyQ

Montage: In montage editing, the manipulation of diegetic space and time is a key
aspect used in order to have the montage come across successfully and
accurately. Famously used in the rocky movies, Montage editing is a series of short
shots manipulated and condensed to show the passing of time or fully represent an
action or idea in a clear manner in a short space of time that’s easy for the
audience to follow.
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F83A_jccTW4&t=3s

Jump-cutting: Jump cutting employs two sequential successive shots. Simply put,
jump-cutting is an editing technique that manipulates time and represents the
passing of time in a clear way that doesn’t disturb the continuity or pacing of a
scene, so as to not jar the audience. As an example, if a character is sitting at a
bar, you might use a jump cut to cut forward to the end of the night to the character
passed out with his head on the table.

Parallel editing: Parallel editing, or cross cutting, is an editing technique that

employs the use of two interconnected separate scenes that primarily happen
simultaneously but in alternating locations, with the intention of drawing the
audience’s attention to either focal subject, which will usually end up being a key
subject or having a key role. The two scenes usually end up intersecting and
resulting in a climax in the storyline.

Transitions, e.g. cut, dissolve, fade, wipe; cutaways: Regardless of what type of
media it is, editors use different transitions to move from one subject or clip to
another. Here are some examples of well-known cuts used in media: The regular
film cut is the most common transition used, it seamlessly moves from one scene
to another in a quick and instant cut. A dissolve is a gradual overlap of two
different shots, one coming to its end and one being the next shot after that, the
dissolve fades away to let the scene continue seamlessly. A fade is a shot that
gradually fades into black, and then fades into the next, it can be used very
poignantly. A wipe transition is a cut that visually replaces another shot by
travelling across the screen, usually from one end to another. Lastly, a cutaway
transition is a shot that is interrupted to show another focal subject, and is usually
followed by cutting back to the continuing original shot.

Use appropriate conventions, e.g:

Cutaways: Cutaways are when the camera cuts away from the main scene, this can
engage the audience more by showing a hidden focal point of the scene,
foreshadowing a scene or giving the audience further insight to the main intentions
of a scene without making the audience lose interest with a very long still shot.

Cutting on action: Cutting on action is when the scene cuts from one scene or one
shot to the next point of the immediate scene that is important and fuels the action
or storyline forward, it’s very good for keeping the audience engaged and delivering
key storyline components.
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

Creating juxtapositions: Juxtapositions are all about drawing attention to the

similarities or contrast on two or more (usually) interconnected scenes that play a
big part in the storyline. This is a very effective film technique in engaging the
audience. It is very similar to parallel editing, and is usually employed alongside
parallel editing.

Intercutting: Intercutting is a film technique that breaks away from the linear
storyline of a film, and interrupts the narrative, usually employed to show important
story components through the use of flashbacks in a film.

Pace effectively: Pacing is one of the most important aspects in engaging the
audience. The pace of a film controls how the audience perceives it. For example,
action movies generally use fast pacing in order to drive the adrenaline fuelled
story forward using quick shots to create the pace. But a romance film would use
slower pacing, and longer shots to draw attention to body language and emotions.
Pacing is used so the audience can understand a scene in its entirety.

Convey information effectively: Conveying information effectively is the key aspect

of good storytelling. Showing the viewer the information they need to follow a
storyline clearly is important to keep the viewer engaged and aware of what is
going on in the story. I have done this in various film projects I have done, including
my social action, where each show has something different but informative that
corresponds to the event I was working on, which was a Macmillan coffee morning.

Use sound to create impact: Sound is the most important aspect of film making in
my opinion, visuals don’t have to be so important, because if you have high quality
and engaging audio then it will hold the audience’s attention, bad audio in a good
production can cause the audience to be disinterested, sound can add that extra
layer of immersion and development to a production.

Synchronise sound and vision: Sound and visuals in a film or production are
supposed to work hand in hand, and it is important that it is done effectively,
otherwise it will suffer a great loss of quality and immersion, such as bad voice
overs in productions and products like games causing them to lose value in the
public eye as it’s not a polished production. A good example of this would be adding
in the sound of wind and birdsong over a wide shot of a forest, this immerses the
viewer in the world you created in the production and leads to a successful
production.
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

Mix soundtracks: Mixing a soundtrack is whenever you create a soundtrack on a

music instrument digital interface, or MIDI, these are very useful programs that
allow you to not have to suffer any copyright claims or payments in order to use
music, as you create your own.

Overlap sound: You overlap sound in the editing program, you usually overlap sound
adding in components like sound effects and Foley sound into a production, you can
make your audio have a lot more depth and have it become marginally more
immersive if this is done well, this is relatively hard to achieve though and requires
a lot of skill to do well.

Task 7. Describe editing techniques used and provide screen shots of editing
techniques employed

LO3.3 Post-production tools:

On screen text: I used on screen text for my title screen and introductions, it was
very easy to apply and got across the initial message and explanation of my social
action very accurately, and fluidly lead on to the rest of the edit I had made.

Image editing: For the image editing, all I did was match the colours, this made my
social action look a lot cleaner and made sure that I didn’t have any non-visually
appealing colour contrasts from shot to shot.

Audio editing: Audio editing cleans up the audio of a production, my audio editing is
very simplistic, and as I had no sound effects, and only a soundtrack in my social
action, all I had to do was adjust the audio shot to shot to be the same level, and
not have it be too loud for the viewer.
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

Task 8. What credit and title techniques, audio techniques and music clips did you
use?

For my soundtrack I used some royalty free festive music sourced from YouTube.
Here’s the song I used in both the trailer for my social action project and the social
action project itself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk9eHcOp98I

ASSESSMENT AND GRADING CRITERIA

In order to pass this unit, the evidence that the learner presents for assessment
needs to demonstrate that they can meet all the learning outcomes for the unit.
The assessment criteria for a pass grade describe the level of achievement
required to pass this unit.

To achieve a pass grade the evidence must show that the learner is able to:

P1 Describe the development and principles of editing with some appropriate use
of subject terminology
P2 Apply editing preparation techniques with some assistance
P3 Apply editing techniques working within appropriate conventions and with some
assistance.
[CT]

To achieve a merit grade the evidence must show that, in addition to the pass
criteria, the learner is able to:

M1 Explain the development and principles of editing with reference to detailed

illustrative examples and with generally correct use of subject terminology
M2 Apply editing preparation techniques competently with only occasional
assistance
M3 Apply editing techniques to a good technical standard showing some
imagination and with only occasional assistance.

To achieve a distinction grade the evidence must show that, in addition to the pass
and merit criteria, the learner is able to:

D1 Critically assess the development and principles of editing with supporting

arguments and elucidated examples, and consistently using subject terminology
correctly
D2 Apply editing preparation techniques to a technical quality that reflects near-
professional standards, working independently to professional expectations
SUB DIPlOMA Creative Media Production – Film & Television - Y1
Semester 1- 2017-18
Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques
Level: 3. Credit Value: 10

D3 Apply editing techniques to a technical quality that reflects near-professional

standards, showing creativity and flair and working independently.