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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 16 2007, 5:26 PM EDT (current) | TomySky | |
| Aug 16 2007, 3:28 PM EDT | TomySky | 598 words added |
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What is editing and how do you do it? Well, there are two camps: the "Additive" and the "Subtractive". The "Additive" side would have you believe that you should start with your idea and then look through your clips to find the first shot. Only after you have your frist clip should you move on the the next shot, all the time searching your footage for the "right" clip, slowly adding things to your timeline as you piece together your film. The "Subtractive" side would tell you to put all your footage on the timeline (in the correct sequential order, of course) and then just delete the parts you don't like. Which side is right?
Well, like many things in life: It depends. If you are cutting together a dramatic movie, the additive system may be more managable because with 10 takes of each shot, trying to figure out which one is best as you play through them all is a pain. But if you are cutting together a memory video with 9 hours of footage from your favorite sports team (for example), you will want to use the subtractive method because you are trying to get rid of the 8 hours of rubble to find the one hour of gold. I personally use the subtractive method, even when building a dramatic scene because I'm always just looking for the best take, so I "merely" weed out the ones I don't like.
People have written a lot of theory on editing, looking at everything from jump-cuts to establishing shots. And while it may be interesting to know that most people cut from a wide angled shot to a closer shot to an even closer shot before working their way back out, such theory has limited value to a young/poor editor. I would recommend that you simply start cutting stuff together and play it for people. It is not until I start playing a cut for others that I realize some mistakes I've made. Test screenings are excellent ways to see what is and is not working.
If you do not yet have an editing machine and are confused about which software to get, I have created a page on Editing Software and Machines for you to use. Each of these systems will be slightly different, but all of them will do roughly the same thing.
All editing software should have basically the same few things with a bunch of bells and whistles that they will try to tell you will really spead up production. Bells and whistles rarely do this, and most of the time are really hard to find. Certainly, once you know how to use the Gamma Filter it's probably pretty useful... but I'm trying to cut a video together right now. So what do I need my software to have to cut my video?
-A storage area where you can put your media clips before manipulating them.
-A timeline where you can move, trim, and arrange your media clips.
-A place on your screen where you can see what your video is looking like.
And guess what? Every editing system that I have seen, from Media 100 to iMovie, has had these three features. The rest is seriously just details.
I am working on an Editing Basics page. This will cover the basics, and will link to the tutorials, both the originals and the ones I'm working on.
While movies are "Moving Pictures", audio plays a huge role in most productions. Thus, Sound Design is a vital part of post that should not be overlooked.
Well, like many things in life: It depends. If you are cutting together a dramatic movie, the additive system may be more managable because with 10 takes of each shot, trying to figure out which one is best as you play through them all is a pain. But if you are cutting together a memory video with 9 hours of footage from your favorite sports team (for example), you will want to use the subtractive method because you are trying to get rid of the 8 hours of rubble to find the one hour of gold. I personally use the subtractive method, even when building a dramatic scene because I'm always just looking for the best take, so I "merely" weed out the ones I don't like.
People have written a lot of theory on editing, looking at everything from jump-cuts to establishing shots. And while it may be interesting to know that most people cut from a wide angled shot to a closer shot to an even closer shot before working their way back out, such theory has limited value to a young/poor editor. I would recommend that you simply start cutting stuff together and play it for people. It is not until I start playing a cut for others that I realize some mistakes I've made. Test screenings are excellent ways to see what is and is not working.
If you do not yet have an editing machine and are confused about which software to get, I have created a page on Editing Software and Machines for you to use. Each of these systems will be slightly different, but all of them will do roughly the same thing.
All editing software should have basically the same few things with a bunch of bells and whistles that they will try to tell you will really spead up production. Bells and whistles rarely do this, and most of the time are really hard to find. Certainly, once you know how to use the Gamma Filter it's probably pretty useful... but I'm trying to cut a video together right now. So what do I need my software to have to cut my video?
-A storage area where you can put your media clips before manipulating them.
-A timeline where you can move, trim, and arrange your media clips.
-A place on your screen where you can see what your video is looking like.
And guess what? Every editing system that I have seen, from Media 100 to iMovie, has had these three features. The rest is seriously just details.
I am working on an Editing Basics page. This will cover the basics, and will link to the tutorials, both the originals and the ones I'm working on.
While movies are "Moving Pictures", audio plays a huge role in most productions. Thus, Sound Design is a vital part of post that should not be overlooked.
