Task Five:Understanding Montage Theory

Firstly, the term montage has a different meaning when referred to. The true meaning of montage in media is to cut and piece together sections of a film clip, to create it as a continuous clip. There are three types of montages; The French Montage, Hollywood Style Montage and Soviet Montage.

A French Montage simply means to assemble. Therefore, the process identifies as editing in French films. A person who is famous for French Montage is Jean-Luc Goddard.

Hollywood Montage is where the film maker will want to take the most important clips, to make the clip shorter by condensing. The reason to why the important clips are made shorter is because the overall film will become uninteresting, so there needs to be shorter clips that grab the audiences attention. An example of a Hollywood Montage is the film 'Rocky', where Rocky is training. In the clip we see that Rocky has trained during day time as well as night time, because of the light shining in the background. In addition, this is an important clip as we do not see the whole day, apart from when Rocky has started and also ended his training.

Furthermore, in early Soviet there was a whole other meaning to film making in 1920. But now Soviet Montage is literally juxtaposing different shots to contrast. Film makers do this to show the actual meaning of the film, which did not exist before in the shots. For example Sergei Eisenstein who was a film director had introduced the Soviet Montage. Eisenstein's first ever feature length film was named 'Strike in 1925'. The film shows how the butcher is slaughtering the cattle through using cross cutting in the shot, also it shows how the striking workers were mistreated by the Russian troop.

However, before Eisenstein there was a young film maker called Lev Kuleshov who was doing experiments around 1920. Kuleshov had experimented by taking old film clips of a head shot of this Russian actor. Then he had inter-cut the head shots with any three images to compare.

                                                
                                    Lev Kuleshov                            Kuleshov's Experiment

Task Four:From Analogue To Digital Editing

To make a film there are a variety of ways to do so when editing. Altogether there are three ways to edit one of them being analogue (splicing), video and digital. However, over the years two of the editing techniques are not used, but the main way to edit is digitally.

Analogue editing is cutting together the pieces of celluloid film for the film to be shown in order. Traditionally films were made up with a set of images to be printed on to acetate negative, and this was done so that the images could be spliced together to create a reel of film. Once the reel of film is created it would then start feeding through a projector at a constant speed of twenty four frames per second. The reason to the frames being at a constant speed is because it makes the images seem as if they are moving, despite them actually not moving and this due to the existence of analogue editing. A further point is that the films were edited using The Moviola, which was invented by Iwan Serrurier in 1924. The Moviola was the first device allowing film editors to view the film as they were editing. In addition, this machine was used first for a feature length motion picture editing.

                                               
                                   Iwan Serruerier                                    The Moviola

Another form of editing is video editing. This type of editing was being used before digital technology, as magnetic tapes became available. These magnetic tapes were used to store information, yet people knew the tapes as video tapes. Furthermore, the process of video editing is to edit segments of tapes, which is done by using a mechanical device that puts together the pieces of a video tape. For the device to put the pieces of video tape together, it requires that the editing is done in the correct order the first time. If the tape is edited in the correct order the first time round, then it avoids showing any mistakes. Therefore, this is known as linear editing.

                                                 

On the other hand, the next type of editing is digital. Digital editing is common because it is a form of electronic media, where the data is stored. Also there are different methods for digital editing opposed to the previous two styles mentioned above. Digital editing is done through a range of programs for example Adobe Premier, Avid and Final Cut Pro. These three programs can be found on computers and when the program is in use, it allows the clips to go in a certain order as well as manipulate this digital data. Additionally, digital film making is done by using bits and bytes (strings of 1's and 0's) to record, transmit and replay images. Instead of using the method of chemicals on film, the whole process is now electronic. Thus there is no need to involve printing or splicing. As digital editing is a process of using electronic files it becomes easier to cut and paste text into a word document. While editing a sequence, the order would not matter to whether the editing began from the end, before having started the first scene. So this means that digital editing is known as non-linear editing.

                                                 
                                                

The fact that there are three ways to edit they still have there ups and downs. On the one hand the pros for analogue editing is that it is quicker and also precise, because the cast and crew will be given instructions as well as responsibility to only have one shot taken. Given that analogue editing is not done on the computer it suggests that it is a lot more safer. The reason for it being safe to not do editing on the computer is because, there is less risk of the footage getting damaged. The cons of analogue editing is that if a mistake did happen then there will be no chance in being able to edit the mistake. Also the mistake will make the film low standard which is not good for the director, and other people involved in helping out with the film. Nevertheless, another con is that the equipment to edit the film will possibly be heavy, also expensive. Furthermore, communication is a hurdle during the recording of a scene such as saying action/cut. This makes it difficult to even edit the action or cut out of the film. Even more so the issue with analogue editing is that the video tapes tend to degenerate, and becuase of this the film will seem all jumpy and have these scratches that stops showing some parts of the film from the screen.

Finally, in this case digital editing has positives when editing and one positive is that it overtook video editing, by being quicker and a lot more cheaper. In addition, when filming the scenes can be filmed in any order at any time, and this would apply to editing as well. Also there are multiple chances to edit to make an advert or film to a high standard. As well as these positives there are negatives. The negative for this type of editing in general is that the whole procedure of editing can be a struggle to understand. It is because it could be a persons first time trying to edit, however this can be solved as some people who know how to edit will have tutorials. But this would take up valuable time when having to meet a deadline to have the film or something edited. Another disadvantage for digital is piracy. To end with the last problem could be that the program could crash and lose the work, or anything could happen to the computer. Therefore, technology is not reliable at times when it comes to digital editing.

Task Two/Three:In Camera Editing/Developing Editing Techniques

Firstly, In Camera Editing is a technique of video production, in which the camera operator shoots the shots in the exact order the film will be viewed as. The technique use to be used a great deal in the early days before splicing, which is an art to cut film strips and reconnect them. The film is edited by switching the camera on and off, also one of the most famous historical in camera editors who made great use of the technique was George Melies who had used the technique in 'The Vanishing Lady' in 1896.

Secondly, the pros of In Camera Editing is that it can be completed quickly, and it helps an individual to gain experience of getting the recording spot on either the next time round to see the corrections made. Besides the advantages the reason behind why editors moved on from the In Camera Editing technique is due to other techniques being discovered or invented to edit. The cons of the technique is that if someone makes a mistake then the recording will not be done properly, therefore the recording would have to start from fresh again.

Synopsis
For task two I had to work in a small group of four and it consisted in having two people who were acting, one person being the camera operator also one being the director. In the group there was me playing the actresses, Daniel as the director, Reece as the camera operator and Basra being an actor. Also as a group of four we had to create a one minute sequence that will be edited in camera, as well as that it should be set in school with either dialogue or silence. Furthermore, our storyboard tells us what type of angles and also shots we need to record, but really the whole storyboard shows what our scenario is. The scenario is that I am going to be filmed typing away at "work" and Basra who is my Boss walks in very disappointed. Hence he talks to me about sacking me, then I decide that I will storm out angrily but also upset, due to not agreeing with the decision that the Boss made.

Evaluation

The advantages of our task two video is that before we started to record we put the blinds down as I was facing the window and we wanted to prevent shadows showing. Another advantage is that towards the end when I leave the room that part was continuous. Even with advantages there are also disadvantages. The first disadvantage is that Basra has opened the door and he shuts the door but the action was repeated over again so that we could get it from the right angle, yet there is a little pause before he shut the door. Furthermore, Basra's head was cut from the the frame, and the final thing is that I was staring at the camera due to feeling embarrassed for having to act as if I were sacked from my job. Also the clip of me trying to express sad emotions were supposed to end quickly, but the director did not tell the camera operator to stop at the right moment. So I thought that the recording had stopped because of the noise from the camera however it did not. If I were to do the task again I would ensure that the frame is getting every feature we need, for example full shots of faces etc. In addition, there should have been more practice despite not being professional at acting maybe I should not have starred at the camera, plus where Basra should have stopped and started at the right time/place during the door section. Overall, I think the In Camera Editing task was successful because the outcome of the video was not too bad as it went quick, so the disadvantages may not have been noticed the first time round.

Task One Editing in Early Cinema

Firstly, in this blog I will be explaining how editing developed and how a range of famous people have helped in changing the ways of editing over the years. Furthermore, there has been around fifty years since all the editing techniques having being used in present day.

The Lumiere Brothers

The first asset who played a vital part in the development of editing are the Lumiere Brothers. The Lumiere Brothers worked closely with Edison, and they were the first to create films with a variety of lengths as well as creating moving image. The moving image was created as both brothers had been inspired by Edison's invention, so just a year before there first ever film they made a cinematographe. This cinematographe was slightly better as it was much smaller as well as lighter, yet the only issue was that the speed of the film would be at sixteen frames per second whereas Edison's invention was at forty eight frames per second, therefore this means that the device was slower as an individual had to hand crank the machine. In addition, the first film that the Lumiere Brothers had named was 'Sortie d'usine' in 1895, showing a group of workers leaving a factory. This film was a motion shot which entertained the audience, as this was never seen before. However, now it takes more to entertain the public and this therefore led on to the second person who helped develop editing even more.

                                                           

Thomas Edison

The next person is Edison who had invented the light bulb, but other than that he had run a film laboratory making him the first film maker. The reasons behind Edison being the first film maker is because he had created a Kinetoscope, which was suitable for the industry standard. Also it led to a 35mm film strip which helped Thomas Edison become an important person to society. After a long series of investigations and experiments, Edison had another invention. The other invention was a Kinetograph which was an apparatus for taking pictures for the Kinetoscope. The new invention of a Kinetograph meant that other film makers could use the creation for their own films, therefore once a projector was made and it allowed the other film makers films to be shown to a larger audience. This implies that the audience were able to enjoy films as it was a brand new experience.

G.A. Smith

Furthermore, before there was no story or editing and it meant that films could be shown for the amount of time that the film was in left in the camera. Nonetheless, G.A.Smith was the real film maker because he started editing, and it advanced to other film makers following in his step. Then George Smith had made 'The Miller and The Sweep' in 1897, this film was because one man is walking out from a windmill carrying a bag of flour, but Sweep bumps into the Miller with the bag of flour and they start fighting. As soon as the two men are off the screen there's a group running across following the men. After two years Smith created the 'Phantom Ride' as this was a different genre also he wanted his films to have an added "extra spice." Nevertheless, there was an advantage in 'The Kiss in the Tunnel' because of the darkness it gave the film to showcase as an edit, as it showed the front of the train going into the tunnel but ended up showing the inside of the carriages.

Edwin S.Porter 

Following Smith was Edwin Porter however before he had joined the film laboratory of Thomas Edison, in the late 1890's he worked as an electrician. Porter and Edison had worked together to make films longer also at the same time interesting. For example his first film was 'The Life of An American Fireman' in 1903 which was his breakthrough film due to him having three things, and they were a plot, action and also a close up of the fireman pulling the alarm. Eventually Edwin Porter had discovered the important aspect of the motion language also the creation of the contextual relationship by splicing. Splicing means to join pieces of films at the ends, so Porter's most famous film was 'The Great Train Robbery' in 1903 which lasted ten minutes, because of the splicing and as it was the longest film of his time.

 

                                          

George Melies

A further point is that after Edwin S.Porter, George Melies became an important figure to editing in early cinema. George Melies was a magician before he had became an important figure, he had seen the Lumiere Brothers films and thought of using his magical skills to join the film industry. On the other hand, Melies wanted to make novelty films rather than just motion films. Hence during filming his ideas his camera had broken down for a few seconds, which paused the recording but it started to record again. Thus Melies discovered on stop motion by accident, however before the discovery it had not occurred to him that the camera could move to get different shots for his films. Later George Melies used his knowledge by creating a film called 'The Vanishing Lady' in 1896. Unfortunately, Melies was forced out of the film industry in 1913 leaving him to die of poverty, although the film 'Hugo' was dedicated to him for his contribution in early cinema.

 

Charles Pathe

Last but not the least, Charles Pathe was the first person to introduce parallel editing in his film 'The horse that Bolted' in 1907. Parallel editing is something that allows the audience to know that two different things happen at the same time. In the film parallel editing is shown to the audience as they get to see a man on the horse, but while the delivery man has gone inside we see the horse outside who runs off causing havoc. Undoubtedly parallel editing was proven to be successful as it was the first time to be seen, importantly a film could be created being a feature length film about ninety minutes long.

                                           

D.W.Griffith 

Finally, Griffith is an American film director and he supported the power of early editing due to Melies, Smith, Porter, also Pathe. He had used cross-cutting to show another way of parallel cutting, also he would have had a variety of locations in the scenes. Nonetheless, he was a director who was using the editing techniques, in the production of feature length films. Not only was he the most influential director of his time due to his most controversial film named 'The Birth Of a Nation' in 1915. Also the film mentioned above was just set before and after the civil war, and his father had fought in the civil war which could have been inspirational to him. To end with he had been the third person to develop the art of story telling, as he would have wanted to make longer and more dramatic films. Yet there are now more techniques which get used today as there are some film directors and producers who will still use the techniques, because the films which were made were very good at the time. Therefore, editing has been more developed due to modern day technology and also digital editing has splicing involved. In the film it shows how the white people were fighting with black people but they were still white people who would be covered in black shoe polish. Another point is that during the ending in the film this white women was being bombarded with black people trying to rape the women and the ku klux klan were riding on their horses coming to save the women.