Editing our thriller

Editing our thriller was a very exciting experience. We used software we had previously used called Adobe Premiere. Although this is quite a complex program, our previous experienced helped when familiarizing ourselves with the different tools/applications.

Firstly we looked through our footage in great detail. Although, this was a tedious process, it was vital in order to familiarize ourselves with our footage so that if we needed a specific shot, we would know exactly to find it.

When we looked through all the footage or also referred to as the rushes, we created another folder called the log bin. In the log bin, we put in any possible clips we may use in order to create our thriller. This included many different angles of the same shot which meant when we edited, we had to be very selective.

Later on, we then began to create sequences. Before this we attempted to put the clips in order, but later realised it was pointless as we may use clips from different stages of the footage for a specific sequence. The first sequence we created was one where Gabriel picks up the phone.

In our group, the editing was fairly equal. We all went and edited at different stages of the day throughout the week, but also made sure that we came together at times so that we could review and discuss what we had done individually and what we plan to do next.





Three key decisions that I made in the editing process were:
-To avoid using the establishing shot of the car as it made our thriller look amatuer
-To introduce the gun by using the slow moving shot from mikes face to the gun
-To create another log bin for our first cut

Throughout editing, we kept a routine of what we had to do. Firstly, we assured, after an unfortunate power cut, we would repeatedly save our work every few minutes so that if the computer did crash our recent progress would be saved. Secondly, we often watched the clip back every few minutes so that we could gain a rough idea of how the overall sequence was developing.

Some shots we had to cut out for numerous reasons. Firstly, one reason could be that the previous shot wouldn't work with that particular shot as it was crossing the 180 rule. It could also be because the lighting was completely different, and despite the exposure settings on the programme, it still wouldn't look right. Throughout our scenes we added in some random close ups of Gabriel's face which showed him looking incredibly on edge. Not only did this rise the tension, but it also made the editing look more advanced.

It was difficult at the final stages as we had to get rid of footage we liked but didn't have enough room to use or it simply didn't add to the continuity of the piece. By the end of the cutting process I found myself very familiar with the tools such as blade and razor. Id say that, personally perfecting the continuity was the hardest bit. It took a lot of time and patience to get each shot connecting so that the movements looked continuos, but is well worth it in order to make a professional looking video.

After the cutting was finished and it fit the right time frame, it was time to add in the after effects such as the blood from the gunshot and the sounds such as the gunshot. For the shooting scene, we used the programme called Adobe After Effects, so that when the bullet left the gun and hit the body, it looked realistic. We edited in some blood which spurted out the body as soon as the impact hit Gabriel's body. This was an important effect to add, so that our thriller looked more realistic and so that the audience would buy into the murder scene. We then added in the bullet sound from downloaded software which contained a massive variety of sound effects.

We also used this software for the sound of the telephone ringing which was a very important sound in our thriller to raise tension. Another important sound to edit in, was the ambient sound we put at the beginning of the thriller which was a very subtle wind blowing against trees and birds tweeting so the audience were aware of where the film was shot and how it was very isolated.

The last process of editing was adding the titles. This was a quick and fairly easy process, although it was important for us to pick a font that suited the themes of our thriller, something neutral but bold. In the end we came up with this: