Farewell...For Now

It’s time for this all to come to an end, I’m afraid.

At least, for the next couple of weeks.

I think that after working on this film for about two months, I am suitably sick of it. I have had my fill of editing, storyline, actors and dialogue. I need a break away from this thing before I can even consider bettering it.

Now, let’s go over the things that I have learned and/or am pleased with.

I learned that recording sound separately from the video betters a film considerably. (Especially when one is using a camera one’s grandmother bought from an infomercial.) Also, I learned that having a set script is much better when wanting to switch up some scenes of characters talking, in which dialogue is imperative to storyline. I also learned that editing takes forever and should be given more time than the actual filming process. I learned about where to find special effects online for free. And where to find sound.

I think that this film brought on a huge learning curve about sound, which was incredibly unexpected. I had set out to make a film and explore some special effects components. Instead, I got this huge battle with sound. It was epic. I made a playlist for it. I think that I finally understand the importance of sound in a quality film. I had heard the concept repeatedly, and as a viewer understood, but as a filmmaker, I really get it now. Sound is half of the film. No question about it.

Another unexpected happenstance was the lack of special effects that I actually put in. Partly due to a lack of time but mostly because I enjoyed the acting way too much. My friends are actually good actors. And they gave something extra to the story that I hadn’t anticipated. I no longer want to distract from their performances. I am quite happy to let them garner so much attention. Kudos, guys!

Things that I intend to change are abundant. I would like to fix the timing a little bit more in one of the beginning scenes. Also, I want to add another special effect in, just to communicate the proper emotion and events in the story. I might even explore a bit more of an abstract approach to this. I’ve found abstract to be easier since the them is: there’s a method to madness. I love that idea. It gives me room to put in some random symbolic shots, which I love. I might tweak the sound just a bit more. I actually have some audio software that would be beneficial to what I consider half of my film. I want to tweak some of my timing especially. I’m not sure that the words completely match up and some of the cuts seem a little fast to me.

The general implication is that: no, I am not completely satisfied with the end product. However, I let’s chalk that up to my desperate need for perfection. In the great words of one of my friends “there is always something more to be done in the editing process, we just have to reach that point where we say ‘I’m done’ and return to normal society.”

I intend to come back to this project after a couple of weeks. But for now, I’m pretty satisfied with the end product.

Editing 101

I've actually learned something. Sound matters.

I've never actually really seen how much it can matter. But it is actually super important! Especially when the dialogue is imperative to the storyline. Honestly, I kind of prefer more abstract films...mainly because editing can be easier. Honestly, it's better to record a separate audio and a separate video. Instead of trying to do them both at once. I wish I had done that.

I find that the audio that has been recorded with the video doesn't completely match up. Which is very weird because I haven't even moved it yet. One of my actors has a odd facial movements. His words don't match his mouth. *Frustration*

I am cutting up the scenes together though. I've found that it is of the utmost importance that I don't just cut between angles and scenes super quickly. Unless, I'm doing it for dramatic purposes. At the very least, a clip needs to be shown for at least a full second in order for anybody to even register what's going on.

I've finished another scene. Yay! It was easier to cut together because of the limit of characters dialogue and movement. This scene isn't full of symbolism and subtleties like the last one.

Now, I'm entering the scenes where Alex is stuck in the cave and Elle is outside. Editing should be much easier now. Although I won't solely focus on characters' faces when they're speaking because a lot more can be found in my actors expressions. Particularly in the intense moments.

Keep Calm and Keep Editing

Again with the editing updates. I've finished my second scene so the apocalypse stuff will start soon. I guess it's a little sensitive in the beginning. It'll be better once I add fire and stuff. It's more dramatic.

On another note, I'm really hungry. For some reason, editing the footage brings me back to the memory of filming in flashback form. I was very hungry when we were filming, like starving. And we had to film in a kitchen. My stomach is actually giving sympathy pains to a past event. What is that?

I've finally worked out a sound system. I've separated my audio and video. When I need a long clip to render, I break it up into smaller bits of footage. These take less time to render. It's nice.

I've finished the second scene and a little bit of the third. I'm about halfway done. Great, now I'm singing Bon Jovi in my head.

I'm finding that the ability to tweak my audio is my saviour. I found some unwanted sounds and also sounds that weren't loud enough. Luckily, I adjusted the levels and now it sounds way better. Yay!

My Marriage is Falling Apart

Another editing update. I think my life with this film has reached a level of mediocrity. I feel like I'm married to my film and right now we're both middle aged and our lives revolve around our kids and soccer practices and clarinet lessons. (Our kids are the scenes that I'm doing.)

This film doesn't feel like the film I married. I remember when we were truly in love. It was just starting. my ideas were flowing. And then we had our filming day. And everything was still going so well. I thought that we would last forever. But now, my relationship with my film is solely based on the scenes and I feel like we don't know each other anymore. Maybe we should go to counselling. Or we'll just reconnect during our retirement.

Ever notice how marriage can be an analogy for almost anything?

So, I'm still editing. Less rendering to do. though. Since this is like my third editing post, I though I'd make it more entertaining with a marriage analogy. Otherwise, even I would be bored.

Hopefully, we can get through this rough patch and once again fall in love. And then editing will stop killing me. I hope.

Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Girl Dies from Editing!

The title says it all. But I'm not just talking about today's editing session. Yesterday, I was editing all day on a different film. Then yesterday evening, some friends came over and we edited our video for our presentation in class today. And now, I'm editing again. I've essentially spent the last 24 hours editing. I think that I have the right to complain. At least a little.

In other news, I've finished the opening scene. Mostly. There's still a bit of audio iffiness but I needed to move onto a new scene. I wish that I could be moving further along but Final Cut Express requires rendering before I can really do anything.

Note: Hey Ocean! is a good band to listen to while waiting for clips to render. Or maybe it's just me.

Also, I've found that breaking up a bunch of clips before rendering helps a lot with time. I'm not even cutting the clips out yet, they're just broken up and therefore easier to render.