Unit 21: Idiot Guide

Post production-

Folder
The first step of post production workflow is to locate an area for your selected media within the hard drive, once the folder is created, work from the folder whether it's internal and external.

Also it's important to always ensure additional folders which have not been captured through log and transfer are included within the folder as well as including files that may consist of being taken directly through other media equipment.









Scratch disks (space on the hard drive this is allocated for temporary storage) is commonly used in final cut pro is a crucial component in the editing process as the footage includes rendered files, wave cache and autosaves.







To import a file you must choose file on the top toolbar of the screen before locating import and the hovering and clicking files.


Once you click files all your existing files will pop up you must then click on the appropriate files that you need. Once selected you click the choose button and then all the files selected will appear in the bin.

Few file formats may need to be changed in order to be used for other accesses such as; web, DVD or mobile content. For this to happen there is two quick and useful ways to complete this



One option is through quicktime movie (compressed version) which is a higher quality of the current sequence used.
Second option is through quicktime conversion in which you choose from a variety of formats and it's resolution is exported to expose the final product.



Many panasonic cameras that are used for filming, save the memory onto an SD card that intially is shot in AVC HD. HD format is compressed therefore using such camera needs a way for the files to be opened onto final cut pro so that it is accessible. The way to open the files is to first put the SD card into the computer/laptop and use the method known as log and transfer. Once loaded you can then edit. To use this method you must click file and then locate the log and transfer button.

Once clicked a box will pop up and read the SD card. It will process and figure out all the compressed files.

Once all the compressed files are displayed you then drag the files needed to where it says "drag media here" and from there it will transfer them into the bin and once there your able to drag the selected files onto the timeline and edit from there.

Once you have the movie exported your now able to edit. To edit there is a toolbar located to the righthand side of final cut pro. There is many tools that are enable you to recreate your piece and refer to a professional standard although the most common is the razor blade tool.
Located in the middle of the tool bar, it looks excately like a razor blade hence it's name. This tool is used to split any scene with in the sequence so your able to move them apart of fit another clip in between them. To do this you first must click on the image and then guide the arrow to where your wanting to cut the sequence and then click. Once you've clicked on the timeline your sequence will look like the image below.

Cables

Cables

Composite Video

Composite Video
(Analogue)

• Uses standard format: NTSC, PAL and SECAM
• Carries 1 signal whereas the S-Video or component
• Transmission used carries standard definition such as; 480i/ 576i signal

S-Video

(Analogue)

S-Video

• Used to separate black and white colour signals which achieve better images rather than composite although this results as a lower resolution than a component video
• Each pin includes it's own ground pin as a result there is 5 pins but one is used on the bottom for holding purposes
• Analogue cable carries a standard definition (480i/576i)

Component Video

Component Video

(Analogue)

• Allows full HD resolution however due to the nature of digital tv's an extra conversion must be applied to create artifacts (edge clarity)
• The majority of HD sources support progressive output although some are limited to 1080i
• RGB distributes colour signals in three ways (Green, Blue and Red)

VGA

(Analogue) - Don't carry audio

VGA

• Uses the same RGB method as a component cable
• This allows higher resolutions which range from 640x400 continuos throughout to 2048x1536
• Higher resolutions cables require coaxial wiring and insulation for a higher quality
• Commonly used for computer monitors to connect to video cards, HDTV's, laptops, netbooks and a variety of other equipment

DVI Cable

DVI Cable

(Digital) - No audio

• Digital cable meaning no loss in quality
• Often found in HDTV's and Video cards
• Three main types of DVI cables; DVI-D, DVI-A and DVI-I
• Cables are single in a dual link
• Resolutions consist upto 3840x2400

HDMI

(Digital)

HDMI

• HDMI is used for an array of devices ranging from cameras, monitors, computers and blu-ray players
• Single cable that carries video and audio signals digitally (no loss of signal) 
• Version 1.0 allowed for 1920x1080p
• Version 1.4 supports ethernet and 3D (3840x2160p)/30fps
• Version 2.0 supports 3840x2160p at 60fps

RCA Connector

RCA Connector

(Analogue)

• Carry video and audio signals
• Primarily used for stereo equipment often consumer grade 
• Used by many devices before and after the digital switchover (VHS,DVD players,TV's)
• Loss of quality is retained over long distances
• Susceptible to noises (hum) 

1/4 Jack

1/4 Jack and 1/8 Jack (3.5mm)

(Phone Connector - Analogue)

• 3.5 mm is commonly found on phones and DSLR's (intended for short runs)
• 1/4 Jack is used for audio recording equipment, stereo, guitar and bass leads

XLR Connector

(Digital)

• Commonly used for microphones
• The design initialises that the microphone is unable to disconnect on it's own accord
• 3 pins used (similar to the balanced connection on a 3.5mm or 1/4 Jack)
• Female is the source whereas the male is the input

  

  XLR Connector

  
  
  

White Balance And Colour Temperature

The temperature colour is the characteristics of visible light which uses important applications in lighting as well as the temperature colour is used to radiate lights of comparable hue in comparison to a light source.
We measure temperature colour in a measurement known as Kelvin which is used to counterbalance the lights and the scale used is known as Ascetic scale which is used for a visual aspect for instance the hotter the colour temperature means lower the Kelvin whereas cooler the colour temperature means higher the Kelvin (which is a multitude of light commonly used in the industry).


Gels also known as filters are commonly used in certain scenarios to create an alternative colour e.g: if your camera portrayed warm tones and you wanted to add a cool tone you would use a blue filter to create this effect, vice versa.

Defusions which are similar looking to tracing paper are used to  defuse the light sources to soften a colour as well as a black filter used for neutral density. Current popular filters are produced by lee filters which is a known big manufacturers.










You balance a camera by matching the your current light situation to one of the icons to the right hand side, these interpret light sources accordingly.

White balance is the colour symmetry on a digital camera and measures the intensity and quality of a light source. Most cameras are equipped with built in sensors to accurately assume the current light source to process the image correctly although the image may be wrong if you've set the white balance to 2000K and your filming outdoors as this will produce an blue tinge to the overall shot itself. One alternative to ensure you end up with best results is to hold a white piece of paper to cover the shot and match this to the frame so that the camera casts itself to the right colour.

Analysing Clips Use Of Panning

In the following three clips below i will be discussing how panning is used to create a deeper depth of a cinematic quality to allow the audience to feel as though there within the film itself.


Children Of Men

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LjxKR0q7Yo

Within this clip we first hear at 0:46 a dog barking to the left of the audio but as the car pans towards the bottom righthand side of the screen we hear from the right side of the speakers the car distancing off screen. When the dog is not seen in the clip he his heard but as the car is moving off screen and not becoming the centre of the frame, the dog appears, running and through doing this the levels of his bark increases.

Ella Enchanted

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw1dB9PxWzM

At the start of this clip the fairy godmother flies in from the lefthand side of the screen stretching off towards the righthand side and through the duration we hear her first from the left audio before we hear her whizz off at the right side. The fairy swoops down away in the distance she is slowly heard and as she swoops off screen the levels increase before decreasing as she lands into the house.


The Princess Diaries 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7VO1iGpgU8

Nicholas is teaching Mia how to fire a arrow at a target when the arrow is fired at 1:48 the sound of the arrow pans to the righthand side to give the feeling that it's shot into the distance before we hear the sound of the arrow hitting the target. Afterwards the level of the arrow hitting the target wouldn't usually leave a ringing sound but is added into this clip through the use of foley, they've used this to create the arrow as the centre of attention as it shows us directly the importance of the arrow within the frame.

Editing Task

As part of my editing process i will demonstrate the following techniques using the youtube video listed below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtN1YnoL46Q

Techniques:

• Import footage using log and transfer.
• import >files
• Add a cross dissolve, crop and cut clips 
• Export a finished piece that is ready to view 

This will all be shown through a powerpoint previewing screenshots.

View below:

http://www.slideshare.net/Megara-Mary/editing-unit-21-duck

Evaluation

Evaluation

     We first were assigned job roles. My contribution was as a lighting assistant therefore i had to ensure that the equipment were safe and at no risk of a safety hazard, i succeeded in this by using cable guards to secure a minimal chance of tripping over the wires. I then plugged the lights into the sockets and switched the on button. Before turning the lights on at the mains i relocated the lights to a convenient space and opened the barn doors and adjusted them to a suitable degree. I furthermore allowed others around me to be aware that i am going to turn the lights on and then switched the on button at the mains. I then accustomed the brightness in order to look appropriate for an interview.

     During my assistance others were sustaining their job roles to help make the production be successful by setting the rest of the equipment such as; camera and audio. Once everything was correctly placed the producer and director announced the beginning of recording. We then all practiced our roles, had a few run throughs before the actual performance began and during the duration i held a reflector which acted as a fill light a pose to the actor so that they looked more presentable and the light was clean and sharp.

     During the editing of our overall production my contribution was to record a voice over as it was beneficial as it adds an explanation over the top of the clip to show an understanding to the audience and there told step by step what is needed to create an effective interview. Overall the effect fitted in correctly with the brief as i ensured the levels on the device weren't hitting their maximum peak otherwise the sound would be distorted as the audio can be raised in post - production for a smooth voice over.

     On the other hand we could have changed the first and last shots as the sounds were distorted (although these we produced with the boom) we could have re-shot these scenes ensuring that the boom was held closer towards the actor and at a different angle to pick up on different peaks.

Broadcast Technology (Cameras, Lights and Sound)

Motion Picture Camera

Device to captivate series of images in sequence at a high speed to create ad illution of motion when played back.

The first pantented film camera was designed in 1888 by a man named Louis Le Prince

(This can now be seen in B.N.M.M)

The early movies frame rate of 14-20 frames per second. In 1923 Kodak launched 16mm film stock for cameras which was a lower cost alternative than 35mm and used by amateur filmmakers as it's cheaper to manufacture.

The 1930's experimentations made with digital cameras by the BBC using Cathode Ray Tubes.

Most colour camera's came out around the 1950's and the 1960's. Camera's then became smaller and compact and the development of storaging canged dramatically over the years. 

The 20th century relied heavily on videotape based anologue formats such as the VHS and Betamax.

Early 2000's MniDV (Digital tape based format) was soon followed by DVD hard disk drive and finally by SD card/ compact solid state flash base recordings.

MiniDV allowed for 720x576 (standard definition) then used to incorporate recordings in PAL (o.4 megapixels).

Current consumer camera's allow for full high definition which is 1920x1080 (2 megapixels).

Current industry film standard is 35mm which dependant on quality and can range between 10-24 megapixels or higher.

Current industry digital standard is 4k (12 megapixels) however some films are currently being shot at 6k (19 megapixels).

But... How Does It Work?!!

There is a film located inside of the camera and has a lense to specify and focus on the image onto the film. The shutter opens and the light travels through the lens exposing the film or sensor and the shutter closes and the next piece of unexposed film moves into place.

Sensor Size

 The sensor size of a digita camera has a big impact on the look and quality of an image. This is why DSLR's have made such a huge impact on the film industry, this has allowed for affordable fimmaking.

Disadvantages of DSLR's

• They overheat as there not primarily made to record so much information at one given time.
• They have issues with Aliasing as the camera struggles to process the information in comparison to the actually dedicated motion cameras. (Moire)

General Rule Of Sensors

The smaller sensors have a high frame rate capability but are able to produce more grain in darker situations whereas the larger sensors produce better quality images and are able to handle darker situations better. 

3 Main Functions Of Controlling The Way An Image Is Exposed Correctly

• Shutter speed (How quickly an image is captured) 

- A longer shut means there will be more blur and light whereas a shorter shut allows less blur and the light is dimmed

• Aperature (Controls DoF) - The deep focus. 

- Smaller (Larger hole) 

• ISO (Sensitivity) 

- Low = less sensitivity but maintains quality whereas a longer 

Lighting Setups

Most common lighting setup is the '3 point'

• Key Light(Main/Hard)
• Fill Light(Fills in what the key doesn't capture)
• Back Light(Seperates the light from the background)

To set this up you firstly must decide where to shoot as a result of a poor location will cause struggle with the filming. A matte finish will produce an easier background to work with. You then need to match the background with the subject otherwise the fim will have no meaning. Following this you will then control the natural lights by turning them off or covering windows with dark cloths so there no light leaks. Lastly white balence the image as the purpose is to control the colour temperatures.

Light makes the images more dynamic and interesting. It creates depth and the illution of a three dimentional image subject inside the frame that's two dimentional. 

Key light typically placed at 45 degrees to either side of the camera so tht the fill does not overpower the key light and the back light adds dimention to the subject but to balence the back light out so that it doesn't overdo and look artificial.

Shooting outside: use a reflector as you don't have acess to any light

Microphones

Shotgun Microphone: Direct sound (Aim towards the speech) - used for news reporters

Dynamic: Shorter range - used for muscians

Condensor: Direct sound  - used for radio podcasts

For the use of a shotgun microphone you must ensure the microphone is facing the actor and the sound levels on the recording device are peaking but not too high so that it is easily adjustable. The best way to test this is to ask questions off topic to get a suprized response from the actor and to not hit the maximum otherwise the sound will distort. If you place the shotgun above the actor it will reduce the background noise as it will collect the sound off the ground which is minimal as a result this technique is both vital and essential.