The Role Of The Editor

• To Combine both the technical and Conceptual aspects of editing into one integrated process.

Technical• The Goal of the

technical editor is to provide the best quality.

• Know your tools.

• Know the capabilities of your equipment in order to maintain the best technical quality.

TechnicalTechnical•Maintain or improve signal quality

•Correct technical problems Both visual or Audio “Fix it in Post”- technical problems are as bad as bad acting.

•Each edit needs to be clear of technical problems

ConceptualConceptual•The Goal of the conceptual editor is to communicate through visuals and sound

•Edits must be transparent. As if they happened naturally

•Every shot has a reason.

Responsibilities of Responsibilities of Conceptual EditorConceptual Editor

• Find solutions to production problems ( how to cover up mistakes)

• Match Form and Content( The pace, look, and feel of the program should match content)

• Aesthetics of every shot counts. ( lighting, composition, etc.)

Technology Technology can’t make a can’t make a

programprogram• What matters is content and how it

comes together.

Conceptual Editing Process

• Post production begins in Preproduction

• Plan,plan,plan, and when you think you are ready…… check your work again.

Target Audience• Who will be

watching your program?

• Define a narrow group

• Address their needs- This will keep them motivated.

Research Research Target Target

AudienceAudience•What they know

•What they are interested in

•Age, sex, cultural background,etc.

•All of this will give you an idea of how you will set up the program

Performance Performance ObjectivesObjectives

•A list of goals that you want your A list of goals that you want your audience to learn by watching your audience to learn by watching your

program.program.

Setting Setting Performance Performance ObjectivesObjectives

•Focuses the need-to-know information.

•States the target audience and the expected measurable performances.

•Helps to determine the program approach, format, structure, and pacing.

Format SelectionFormat Selection

•Know your target audience.

•What kind of formats are there?

•Communicate And Think Visually.

• When writing a script, make it action oriented rather than word oriented

StoryboardsStoryboards• Help visualize ideas ( Composition, visual elements,

lighting, etc.)

• Help communication between Crew

• Helps attack problems before they happen.

• Saves time when shooting

• Plan transitions ahead of time

• Helps get a shot list together

• Helps when working on a budget ( money makes the world go round)

Plan Audio Plan Audio ahead of time ahead of time

as well.as well.

Questions To Ask Questions To Ask Before ShootingBefore Shooting

• Tape Format.-Best quality you can afford.

Note that you can shoot with one format, master your program onto another format, and distribute using another format. ( Commercials for example)

• Lighting look-Visual style of y our images. ( Matrix v.s. Film Noir)

Color V.S Black and White. ( mood can be created by using different styles of lighting)

• Continuity ( what is continuity?)

• Budgeting time and money.

• Plan special and visual effects. ( If you know you are dissolving between two shots. Shoot them on different reels so that there is no generation loss. Hold shots longer.

• Framing- If you know that there will be text over a shot. Plan the composition ahead of time

Technical tips in Technical tips in production that will production that will

help editors.help editors.• Set up a camera and monitor

1. Subject should be brightest on screen

2. Composition

• Set up Audio Equipment and Test:

1. Microphones and batteries

2. Microphone should be placed 10-18 inches from the sound source in such a way that sound goes directly from the source to the mic without passing through another medium.

3. Maintain sound continuity

4. Don’t cross cables

Technical tips in Technical tips in production that will production that will

help editors. help editors. ( Continued) ( Continued)

1. Shock mount a desk or standing microphone to isolate it from any sound transmitted through the stand. On lavaliers and boom poles, put a loop in the cable to prevent sound from traveling back up to the mic.

2. Don’t’ cross cables

3. Loop and tape cables ends at recorder or mixer so that the connectors won’t break

4. Use a wind screen outdoors. / block talent so that wind is not facing them

5. Use sound blankets indoors to block the bounce of audio on hard acoustical surfaces.

6. Set your levels/ below the red. Occasional peaks are okay

7. Record a test and play it back

8. Use quality headphones

9. Record room tone/ Nat sound- Regular levels what is nat sound

Technical tips in Technical tips in production that will production that will

help editors. help editors. ( Continued) ( Continued)

• Record Color Bars and identifying slate on each tape you use

• Preroll the tape for at least six seconds before action is cued/ Post roll

• Cue talent in a way that you will be able to use the shot

• Keep log - Subject, take, counter.

• Get plenty of Coverage. ( What is Coverage?)

CoverageCoverage

• Long Shot/ Wide Shot/ Establishing Shot/ Master Shot: LS, WS ( book says you have to cut away)

• Medium Shot: MS

• Close Up : CU- impact, emotion , and detail

• Cutaway/ Reaction/ Reversal

Wide shot

Medium shot

Close Up

Technical tips in Technical tips in production that will production that will

help editors. help editors. ( Continued) ( Continued)

1. Incorporate changes in angle and image size.

2. Shoot overlapping action

3. When shooting reversals, keep composition, image size and angle.

4. Shoot clean entrances and Exits.

5. Camera movement should be motivated

180 Degree rule180 Degree rule

Draw an imaginary line through a scene and keep all of your shots to one side of that line for editing continuity..