Doctor Who editing techniques

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/trailermaker/view/7iykgi


I used flash cuts at the begining of my trailer to try to create tension and drama, each of the shots are only 1 second long in order to create a high pace. I used a haunting soundtrack in the background of the whole trailer to create tension. I left 4 seconds of just a quiet haunting soundtrack to try and give the trailer an eery sense, but broke this with a harsh voice of the dalek emperor. Directly after this i have a clip of the Doctor saying 'good luck' with pauses before and after it, again to build up tension. I then put a title sequence to inform the audience of the characters and programme but kept the haunting track going to keep it eery and tense.

Editing the Preliminary Task

We used final cut pro to edit our footage of the preliminary task. We checked in all our shots and stored the ones we liked in logging bins. When we put all our clips together we realised they didn't fit together effectively so we began cutting and shortening clips to make the sequence flow.

We made sure to cut on action to try and hide editing techniques, we started with a cut from the swish pan shot to a mid shot of him sliding to a stop. We then cut to a match on action of him slamming down the head phones. We made the cuts here fast pace in order to create a high pace through the begining action. The cuts then slow down to keep it at a calm conversational pace switching between all round angle shots to give all aspects of the conversation and letting us see the reactions of both characters. We then cut to a close up of one characters face to give what he says emphasis with a quick cut back to a mid shot for him walking away.

We learnt that editing cuts into action makes them less noticable and that faster cuts increase pace in the scene.

Shooting the Preliminary task

This was the final product of our preliminary task. We set up the camera on the tripod making sure everything was secure and ensuring the spirit bubble was level in order to achieve a steady shot. We ensured the shot was framed correctly each time and made sure the rest of the equipment was in shot. We planned over the shoulder shots and shot reverse shots to show the conversation between the two. We ensured we kept to the 180 degree rule so that continuity wasn't ruined and used the appropriate terminology so that everyone who had a role on set knew what was going. We made sure we had the right exposure, white balance and focus. The first shot was a swish pan close up of the feet under the table, we filmed this by taking the tripod off and filming the whole thing so we had footage to work into in editing. The next angle is a medium two shot because it has two people in it but its only of the head and shoulders, we filmed this on the tripod to secure a steady filming. When we see the headphones get slammed down we had a match on action to draw the audiences attention to the action. After this we see another mid two shot of the pair to secure continuity in our clip and allow the speech to spoken without cuts to angles in the middle of it. Soon after we use an over the shoulder shot cut to medium shot cut to reverse over the shoulder shot, to show that these two are having a conversation and so the viewer can see the reactions of the two. We then see a close up as the last line is said to add emphasis to it and then a still shot as he walks away.

It was all shot in a media classroom at hurtwood house which worked well as a high tech looking workplace. I filmed the swish pan under the table and offered suggestions to what shots to use. We had a dim soft lighting to illuminate the characters without making the scene look too artificial. This worked to help the scene look ominous and was effective in helping the scene look a little mysterious.
I have learnt that the spirit level of the tripod in filming is very important and how to focus a camera for the whole shot. I have also learnt about how important exposure and frames per second are for creating a realistic scene or blurring actions.

Different Camera Shots

In preparation for the preliminary task we've learnt about different camera angles and shots such as high angles, low angles, eyeline match, shot reverse shot, establishing shot, close ups, mid shots, swish pan etc.

This is an example of high and low angles in the programme 'Scrubs'. Here we see a use of high angles looking down on the postman to represent him beneath the nurse. There are low angles looking up at Carla to put her in a posistion of power especially when juxtaposed with the high angles of the postman.

Eyeline matches are used to show what a character is looking at, often a point of interest the directer wants the audience to focus on.

Shot reverse shots are used in conversations to show reactions of other characters to what another character has done.

Establishing shots are used to establish the settings or surroundings of the scene.

Intro to Video Camera

We learnt how to use a video camera in preparation for our preliminary task. We learnt about focusing the camera on a detailed item in the shot then zooming out to the shot we wanted to ensure it was all in focus. We learnt how to white balance the camera by filming something that was true white such as a piece of paper. We learnt about exposure to make sure we can capture a realistic clip and the importance in shutter speed in different types of scenes. We learnt the relevance of all the symbols on screen of the camera e.g. battery, exposure level and learnt the basics to filming with the camera. We split into groups and all had a chance to take the camera on and off a tripod and have a go a filming.

About Myself

My name is Tom and my favourite film is Pan's Labyrinth, I go to Hurtwoodhouse to study Economics, Media, History and Art. My favourite food is pepperoni pizza however i do enjoy pasta with tomato sauce. I play water polo at an amateur level and have appeared on such networks as ITV, Island television. I went to Cordier Hill in Guernsey for reception to year 2, Beechwood for years 3 to 6, Elizabeth College for years 7 - 11 and am currently studying at Hurtwood House. Each year towards the end of the summer holiday period i venture to France by plane for a holiday. My favourite artist at the moment is Rizzle Kicks.