LO3: Post-Production (Editing)

Scene 1:

Scene 1, being the opening scene to what I have defined as a crime/ mystery film needs to be enigmatic to suit the codes and conventions. To do this, I have used quick cuts and a slow motion effect. The quick cut to the gun being kicked away instantly establishes that some form of a crime has occurred without giving away what crime, or who committed it.

I applied a slow motion effect as it allows for the enigma to be dragged out for longer without it seeming too dragged out. But it also allows us to see the scene how Ethan is experiencing it, this is then enhanced by the foley for the scene; heartbeats, heavy breathing and a tinnitus-like sound.

To cut the footage, I would locate where I wanted to cut the footage by navigating through to roughly where the cut should be and then using the arrow keys to go forwards/ backwards frame by frame to find the exact point I should cut. Then, I use the Razor Tool to cut at where I decided. After repeating this for each piece of footage that makes up this scene, I put them in the correct order and ensured they are all paced nicely with each other. If I found that a certain shot was too short or too long, I would drag from the beginning/end of a shot to shorten/ lengthen it.

To affect the speed of each shot, I right clicked on the shot, selected 'Speed/ Duration' and then adjusted the speed of the shot.

I also utilised an Eyeline Match as a way to show that a gun had been used. The eyeline match consists of two shots, Officer Warwick looking off screen, and a shot of the gun.

Scene 2:

Scene 2 is the title sequence. It only required using the text tool along with placing some sound effects and music.

Scene 3:

This scene is a purely conversational scene in which Officer Warwick is interrogating Ethan Mercer, the main purpose of this scene is to introduce the two main characters and the events that have taken place.

Shot 1: Warwick picking up and opening Ethan's case file. This not only adds depth to the world that this film is set in by showing that Ethan's case file is clean and undamaged, suggesting that this is the first bit of crime he has been involved in. It also allows Ethan's name to be shown, introducing his name non-verbally.

Shot 2: Ethan looking down in defeat and regret. This shot allows the association between the name on the folder and the character. The close-up on his face shows the lack of freedom he has in the situation he has put himself in. To juxtapose this, I have framed him from a slightly low angle to show that while he has no freedom, he accomplished everything he wanted to and in his mind, he won.

Shot 3: Warwick interrogating Ethan. I have framed Officer Warwick in a medium close-up to instantly connote his control in this situation, and to show that despite the fact he is sitting opposite a murderer, he feels powerful.

Shot 4: Ethan filling in the details of what happened before he left his house. This shot has zoomed out to a medium close-up in order to represent that Warwick is learning new details about the crime. It also helps to add some variation to the shot reverse shot structure, helping audience engagement.

Shot 5: Medium Close-Up of Warwick

Shot 6: Medium Close-Up of Ethan

Shot 7: Medium Close-Up of Warwick

Shot 8: Ethan thinking back to Ava returning home. I used a close-up in order to connote that the memory he is thinking back to is unpleasant and uncomfortable. This shot is also involved in a jump cut to the next scene. The main purpose of the jump cut is to show that the following scene is a flashback.

Scene 4:

Scene 4 consists of a conversation between Ethan and Ava before the murder is committed. I wanted to show off the dynamic of their sibling relationship, hence the warm colour grading. I also used a lot of medium close-ups in order to show their comfortability towards each other, while still showing the seriousness of the situation Ava is in.

To enter this scene seamlessly from the previous one, I used a jump cut. This also allows it to be clearly pointed out that this scene is a flashback.

As this is a conversational scene, I used the Shot-Reverse-Shot Structure to make it seem appropriately paced and conversationally legible. While editing using the Shot-Reverse-Shot Structure, there are usually a combination of Two Shots/ Group Shots and Medium Close-Ups. My Shot-Reverse-Shot Structure for scene 4 is made up of the following 7 shots.

Two Shot (to establish the characters position in relation to each other)

• Camera facing towards Ethan as he is in control of the conversation

Medium Close-Up of Ava (to show her facial expressions towards the topic being discussed)

• I have used a Medium Close-Up to show that she is comfortable sharing the situation she is in with Ethan.

Medium Close-Up of Ethan (Reaction Shot to show Ethan's reaction to Ava's situation)

Two Shot (to re-represent their sibling dynamic)

Medium Close-Up of Ava (to show her comfortability, but also to show her reaction to Ethan asking her to stay here)

Medium Close-Up of Ethan

Medium Close-Up of Ava

Scene 5:

Scene 5 is very similar to Scene 3 in that it is entirely composed of a shot reverse shot structure. I use a lot of the same shots with the same meanings. I had originally planned to have an insert shot of Ethan being handed a gun, but with later reflection, I decided that this wouldn't make sense narratively with his character being typically more peaceful, so the shot would only act as filler so I decided not to use it.

Scene 6:

Scene 6 is purely there to create a differentiation between Ethan being interrogated and Ava being interrogated. By showing Ava in the living room where Ethan left her, and using a J Cut to transition from Scene 6 to Scene 7, the audience will be able to figure out that Warwick is talking to Ava and not Ethan.

Scene 7, 8 and 9:

These scenes are all linked as Scene 7 is Ava being interrogated by Warwick, Scene 8 is a flashback to Ava pacing around the living room and Scene 9 is Ava crying thinking back to seeing Ethan holding a gun at Marcus.

(Scene 7) Shot 1: Ava answering Warwick's question about what happened near her after Ethan left. I have used a medium close-up at eye-level to show that despite the fact that she feels uncomfortable because of Ethan becoming a murderer, she feels safe now.

(Scene 7) Shot 2: Warwick interrogating Ava. I chose to have Warwick stood up in this scene so that I could use a medium close-up, low angle shot. Using a low angle allowed me to show that Warwick is dominant in this situation, whereas the medium close-up shows that the is comfort between Ava and Warwick, connoting that Warwick is on Ava's side in this conflict.

(Scene 7) Shot 3: Ava answering Warwick's question and beginning to think back to being at home after Ethan left. As this is the beginning of Ava thinking back to an unpleasant memory, I have moved into a close-up from a slightly high angle.

(Scene 7) Shot 4: Warwick asking how long she had been waiting. Medium close-up and low angle. Using a low angle allowed me to show that Warwick is dominant in this situation, whereas the medium close-up shows that the is comfort between Ava and Warwick, connoting that Warwick is on Ava's side in this conflict.

(Scene 8) Shot 5: Ava pacing around the living room. This scene acts as a flashback and allows me to use an L Cut, having audio from the previous scene continue into this scene, allowing the narrative to flow smoothly across the scenes. This scene could also be classed as an insert shot.

(Scene 9) Shot 6: Ava thinking back to seeing Ethan holding a gun at Marcus. I have used a close-up, eye-level shot as I wanted this shot to feel uncomfortable to reflect Ava's thoughts.

(Scene 9) Shot 7: Ava's flashback to Ethan holding a gun at Marcus. This shot is an insert shot from Ava's flashback. In reflection, I should have taken this shot from the doorway as that is where Ava is seen in this room.