Film Class DW Entry

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Our group continued the tedious editing process - starting off by clipping the footage into digestible bits, referring to the shot log to remove outtakes after doing so. Each cut was made precise as we looked for each ending shifting through frame by frame. Elliot skimmed through the whole footage once, making cuts on each section of the storyline, then started the more precise ones for each take. I accompanied and assisted his judgment for the first half of the film session, making helpful pointers and suggestions for cuts, transitions, order and some sound assistance, for I am the sound editor. We explored techniques such as "match-on-action cuts" and "directional continuity". Working together as a group proved excellent "communication" skills, since we are discussing as a group, "open-minded" because we are allowing equal contribution and flow of ideas throughout, "caring" because we commit showing respect and compassion, as well as "balanced" so that we understand equal contribution.

Later, I isolated myself from the group and worked on another computer. My aims for this lesson was to find a suitable soundtrack and plenty of required sound effects for the Film Noir project. As thought of beforehand, I needed some sort of high heels clicking, shoes walking, gulping, heartbeat, clock ticking and water dripping sounds. I began by looking for free music in FreePlayMusic.Com, which took up the rest of my lesson's time. Themes of music for the ending scene I was looking for should allow suspense and deliver mystery. I specifically chose somewhere between the lines of "Moody/Dark", "Mysterious", "Simmering/Edgy" and mainly "Suspense/Terror". Looking for sources broadens the "knowledgeable" region in the IB learner profile.

Througout the lesson, I built a list of the possible soundtracks that my group members would find exciting and suitable for the context. After generating the list, I invited my group members to listen to them one by one towards the end of the lesson. Soon, we all decided on a slow drumming techno-piano piece because it had some bar music elements within it and fully expressed the dark and mysterious side of Film Noir.

Overall, I was considerate and helpful througout this lesson. I have provided suitable ideas as a group and individually as my sound director role. I was a good "risk-taker", because I looked at many different themes of music offered, as well as experimented with the presence of sound effects.