1. Watch Shaun of the dead and analyse
2. Re-watch Hot fuzz- add any extra notes
3. Reasearch the conventions of Horror and any links to Shaun of the Dead
4. Reasearch the conventions of Action and any links to Hot Fuzz
Future aims
As I think I will parody the film noir style, I will research into that.
Come up with a story line, script, cast and begin filming!
Saturday 28 August 2010
Mid Project Review
WWW
I looked at many interviews about the films I am looking at. Mainly Slumdog Millionaire, as there is little information about the others.
I have gained an understanding of how Chris Dickens thinks while editing, and his style of editing.
I have looked at a range of editing techiniques and identified the ones used by Chris Dickens.
I have watched Slumdog millionaire and Hot Fuzz to gain a deeper understanding of his editing style and its effect on the film.
EBI
I could have watched and analysed Shaun of the Dead.
I could have done a MIGRAIN analysis of the three films.
My thoughts:
I have been thinking that after watching Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead the editing style is very similar. However the editing style of Slumdong Millionaire is very different.
I have realsied this may be due to the fact Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead are both directed by Edgar Wright.
I have thought maybe I should just focus on those two films. I could also further my idea by also looking at the fact both films are parodies of certain genres: Hot Fuzz parodies action films and Shaun of the Dead parodies horror films.
I believe that Dickens editing styles of these films are due to the fact they are parodies (the overagerated edititing in particular sound)
Therfore I could look at the genre conventions of horror and action and look at what conventions the two films have reinforced and challeneged.
This could make my final piece a film that parodies a genre with the editing style of Chris Dickens.
I looked at many interviews about the films I am looking at. Mainly Slumdog Millionaire, as there is little information about the others.
I have gained an understanding of how Chris Dickens thinks while editing, and his style of editing.
I have looked at a range of editing techiniques and identified the ones used by Chris Dickens.
I have watched Slumdog millionaire and Hot Fuzz to gain a deeper understanding of his editing style and its effect on the film.
EBI
I could have watched and analysed Shaun of the Dead.
I could have done a MIGRAIN analysis of the three films.
My thoughts:
I have been thinking that after watching Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead the editing style is very similar. However the editing style of Slumdong Millionaire is very different.
I have realsied this may be due to the fact Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead are both directed by Edgar Wright.
I have thought maybe I should just focus on those two films. I could also further my idea by also looking at the fact both films are parodies of certain genres: Hot Fuzz parodies action films and Shaun of the Dead parodies horror films.
I believe that Dickens editing styles of these films are due to the fact they are parodies (the overagerated edititing in particular sound)
Therfore I could look at the genre conventions of horror and action and look at what conventions the two films have reinforced and challeneged.
This could make my final piece a film that parodies a genre with the editing style of Chris Dickens.
Friday 13 August 2010
Slumdog Millionaire Analysis
The begining sequence consisted of parallel editing, regularly alternating between the protagonist being tortured, the protagonist playing Who Wants to be a Millionaire, and an unknown character throwing money into a bath tub. This suggests the film is a multi-strand narrative, and therefore will have many storylines, making it exciting to watch.
The structure of the film is clearly non linear, with many lengthy flashbacks in the present. This is the main editing feature of the film, which was also Dickens main focus when editing.
Compared to Hot Fuzz, the editing pace of Slumdog Millionaire is a lot slower. I believe, however, the fast and regular camera movements and the busy slums filmed create the fast and lively pace of the film. The non-digetic music also helped achieve this, the music usually being a cross between cultural indian music and pop western music.
The transitions through time and setting, is of a quick one, usually jump cuts or pans from one location to another.
Other editing elements briefly noted:
Footage of other films
Transition from watching the tv to the atual studion
Sound bridging from studio
Digetic sound focuses particularly on individual sound- character coming out of the water- almost reflects emotion rather than the actual event.
Distorded footage- distorted memory
Repeated shot of water in face
Parallel editing of characters driving. White flashes in beween
The structure of the film is clearly non linear, with many lengthy flashbacks in the present. This is the main editing feature of the film, which was also Dickens main focus when editing.
Compared to Hot Fuzz, the editing pace of Slumdog Millionaire is a lot slower. I believe, however, the fast and regular camera movements and the busy slums filmed create the fast and lively pace of the film. The non-digetic music also helped achieve this, the music usually being a cross between cultural indian music and pop western music.
The transitions through time and setting, is of a quick one, usually jump cuts or pans from one location to another.
Other editing elements briefly noted:
Footage of other films
Transition from watching the tv to the atual studion
Sound bridging from studio
Digetic sound focuses particularly on individual sound- character coming out of the water- almost reflects emotion rather than the actual event.
Distorded footage- distorted memory
Repeated shot of water in face
Parallel editing of characters driving. White flashes in beween
Tuesday 10 August 2010
Editing Styles and Techniques
http://classes.yale.edu/film-analysis/htmfiles/editing.htm
Here are the names of the techniques that Dickens uses in his work:
1. Crosscutting/parallel editing is when more than one event is shown alternatly.
2.Cut in, cut away is when the shot transitions from one distance to another. (Seen in Hot Fuzz). Its used to add drama and tension.
3. Jump cut is where the background or the foreground change while the other stays the same. (Seen in Hot Fuzz) It's used to signify everyday routine, with differences.
4. Shot/reverse shot shows a character looking at something, inbetween, showing the subject they are looking at. Seen in most films with dialogue between characters. Depending on the tone its used, it can create tension: what are they looking at?
5.Wipe edit is when one shot is pushed or taken over by another shot moving vertically. (Seen in Spaced-episode 1)
6. Graphic match is when a colour or shape is similarly mactched with a subject in the film. (Seen in Hot Fuzz: the hue goes to red to match the blood)
7. Long take/ plain sequence is when there is one long continous shot that is unedited. (Seen in Shaun of the dead)
8. Overlapping editing is where a shot or small sequence is repeated.
9. Montage sequence is a a range of short quick shots placed side by side usually with no relation to eachother. (Seen in the opening of Hot Fuzz)
10. Sound bridging is when sound or dialogue from one shot is overlapped on another shot. Seen in many films for a smoother transition between shots.
Here are the names of the techniques that Dickens uses in his work:
1. Crosscutting/parallel editing is when more than one event is shown alternatly.
2.Cut in, cut away is when the shot transitions from one distance to another. (Seen in Hot Fuzz). Its used to add drama and tension.
3. Jump cut is where the background or the foreground change while the other stays the same. (Seen in Hot Fuzz) It's used to signify everyday routine, with differences.
4. Shot/reverse shot shows a character looking at something, inbetween, showing the subject they are looking at. Seen in most films with dialogue between characters. Depending on the tone its used, it can create tension: what are they looking at?
5.Wipe edit is when one shot is pushed or taken over by another shot moving vertically. (Seen in Spaced-episode 1)
6. Graphic match is when a colour or shape is similarly mactched with a subject in the film. (Seen in Hot Fuzz: the hue goes to red to match the blood)
7. Long take/ plain sequence is when there is one long continous shot that is unedited. (Seen in Shaun of the dead)
8. Overlapping editing is where a shot or small sequence is repeated.
9. Montage sequence is a a range of short quick shots placed side by side usually with no relation to eachother. (Seen in the opening of Hot Fuzz)
10. Sound bridging is when sound or dialogue from one shot is overlapped on another shot. Seen in many films for a smoother transition between shots.
More Hot Fuzz sequences
1. While processing the arrests of some characters the fast pace editing was present. I noticed that beween near every shot, flahses of white where used. It seems to signfy photographs eing taken. Again, the music and enhanced digetic sounds are used, including the "wooshs" sounds.
2. There is a sequence where the protagonist and the murder victim are parallel, doing the same things, but the it jump cuts between the two. At the end, footage of other films are used: "Bad Boys" and "Point Break". This is important to the film as the film intends to parody these films. The footage taken from "Bad Boys" is also used to reflect what is going on in the world of "Hot Fuzz".
3. Later in the film, lots of slow motions are used, especially when shooting scenes are filmed. This also helps parody action films- using slow motion to allow audienced to take in the action better.
Hot Fuzz: The Opening Sequence
Before the film has started, during the institutional information (Working title ect.) digetic sound of sirens signifiy the action genre, and also represent the the busy lifestyle of a police man, or the police occupation.
This then contrasts with the first long shot, which starts the pace slow as it creates enigma: Who is this man walking towards the camera? Other sound effects can also be herd such as a cocked gun and a cell gate shutting. Cocked guns is famous iconograpy for action films.
The montage sequence of the film, is used to introduce the protagonist, Nichols Angel. The montage consists of mainly action, or at least fast paced events. The shots are arranged in a way where, the audience view the past and present: flashbacks. While the voice over introduces himself, and what he has been though, it its surtured with flashbacks.
The way the narrative is presented is also shown by the editing: the present shot of him walking through the building, almost signifies his journey through his past. In particular, when the protagonist walks through a door, the audience are then in another room, in his flashback.
One of the effects i've seen was ghosting, which is like a delayed effect, which in this case signifies the amount of arrests the protagonist has done. A film still was also used during his police training.
Camera movements, in particular fast zooms and fast pans work well with the editing as they help transition to the next shot, smoothly, but in a fast almost efficient way.
The non-digetic music also helps speed the pace up as the music is racy, in particular with the fast pace voice over.
I was wondering how Dickens' fast paced editing works. I realised its just a case of using many shots of the same action. But with each shot there are differences. For example he might toggle between a close up and a medium shot. It appears fastpaced because the audience have to keep ajusting to the slight changes: as soon as they realise its a close up shot, its a medium shot again. This creates a fast pace. Other changes of shots to the same events is: different angles, different locations or different people. Therefore to edit in the style of Dickens, I have to consider the camera work too.
This then contrasts with the first long shot, which starts the pace slow as it creates enigma: Who is this man walking towards the camera? Other sound effects can also be herd such as a cocked gun and a cell gate shutting. Cocked guns is famous iconograpy for action films.
The montage sequence of the film, is used to introduce the protagonist, Nichols Angel. The montage consists of mainly action, or at least fast paced events. The shots are arranged in a way where, the audience view the past and present: flashbacks. While the voice over introduces himself, and what he has been though, it its surtured with flashbacks.
The way the narrative is presented is also shown by the editing: the present shot of him walking through the building, almost signifies his journey through his past. In particular, when the protagonist walks through a door, the audience are then in another room, in his flashback.
One of the effects i've seen was ghosting, which is like a delayed effect, which in this case signifies the amount of arrests the protagonist has done. A film still was also used during his police training.
Camera movements, in particular fast zooms and fast pans work well with the editing as they help transition to the next shot, smoothly, but in a fast almost efficient way.
The non-digetic music also helps speed the pace up as the music is racy, in particular with the fast pace voice over.
I was wondering how Dickens' fast paced editing works. I realised its just a case of using many shots of the same action. But with each shot there are differences. For example he might toggle between a close up and a medium shot. It appears fastpaced because the audience have to keep ajusting to the slight changes: as soon as they realise its a close up shot, its a medium shot again. This creates a fast pace. Other changes of shots to the same events is: different angles, different locations or different people. Therefore to edit in the style of Dickens, I have to consider the camera work too.
Wednesday 4 August 2010
Visible Fictions: Cinema, Television and Video by John Ellis
This is responses about the editing in Visible Fictions: Cinema, Television and video by John Ellis
"...the close attention give to cinema enables sophisicated forms of editing to be carried out which paradoxically remains virtually unnoticed." This is a valid argument because people tend to value and comment on the director of a film or the producer of a TV series. Though the editing process is the longest process of film making, the effort put into it goes unnoticed.
"In cinema, it is routine to show the begining and end of the action, disguising the missing elements with a change of shot and camera angle, and perhaps providing continuity at another level: dialogue continuing over the cut, or continuous music. This process is known as ellipsis..." From what I have researched, Dickens' signature style uses lots of quick shots to show a certain event is seconds rather than mintues. I'm not sure the style he uses is ellipsis because he shows a range of events as a mini sequence. E.G. I know from Shaun of the dead he signifes "getting ready in the morning" as a shot of opening the fridge, a mug, brushing teeth and putting on a name badge. However, i will look out for ellipsis in his work.
"This consistent use of ellipsis tends to give a greater density and concentration to cinematic events compared events on a theatre stage." Similar to Dickens' fast paced shots, they also add more concentration to his films. I think he uses this to add atmosphere and tension, especially in the 3 major films he has edited, where a certain atmosphere can be created by a fast pace.
"...the close attention give to cinema enables sophisicated forms of editing to be carried out which paradoxically remains virtually unnoticed." This is a valid argument because people tend to value and comment on the director of a film or the producer of a TV series. Though the editing process is the longest process of film making, the effort put into it goes unnoticed.
"In cinema, it is routine to show the begining and end of the action, disguising the missing elements with a change of shot and camera angle, and perhaps providing continuity at another level: dialogue continuing over the cut, or continuous music. This process is known as ellipsis..." From what I have researched, Dickens' signature style uses lots of quick shots to show a certain event is seconds rather than mintues. I'm not sure the style he uses is ellipsis because he shows a range of events as a mini sequence. E.G. I know from Shaun of the dead he signifes "getting ready in the morning" as a shot of opening the fridge, a mug, brushing teeth and putting on a name badge. However, i will look out for ellipsis in his work.
"This consistent use of ellipsis tends to give a greater density and concentration to cinematic events compared events on a theatre stage." Similar to Dickens' fast paced shots, they also add more concentration to his films. I think he uses this to add atmosphere and tension, especially in the 3 major films he has edited, where a certain atmosphere can be created by a fast pace.
Monday 2 August 2010
Slumdog Millionaire editing style article
http://ideers.wordpress.com/2009/09/02/slumdog-millionaire/
These are some key points I have read from the article about the editing style. These are some quotes and I have explained some in further detail.
"quick-cutting editing techniques, slow motion and a pop music soundtrack" are editing styles present in the film.
"loud music Boyle’s uses to make every scene jump out of the screen, mixing traditional Indian music with more familiar pop songs". The joining of two cultures (Indian culture for the protagonist and Western culture for the audience) is signified by the music mix- Inviting the audience more into the film.
"Furthermore there were some slow-motion frames, which were particularly used for one of the film’s signature scenes of the female lead, Latika (Freida Pinto), standing on a train platform, smiling." This is a reccuring theme in the film often revisited. The slow motion frames could signify its importance because it its very noticable.
"The scene where Jamal’s mother killed was strongly brought up by the environment noise with less dialogue as it portrays a feel of disorganised nation". This example shows how Dickens uses digetic sound rather than non-digetic sound to signify emotions. In this example its a memory of the feeling of distortion.
These are some key points I have read from the article about the editing style. These are some quotes and I have explained some in further detail.
"quick-cutting editing techniques, slow motion and a pop music soundtrack" are editing styles present in the film.
"loud music Boyle’s uses to make every scene jump out of the screen, mixing traditional Indian music with more familiar pop songs". The joining of two cultures (Indian culture for the protagonist and Western culture for the audience) is signified by the music mix- Inviting the audience more into the film.
"Furthermore there were some slow-motion frames, which were particularly used for one of the film’s signature scenes of the female lead, Latika (Freida Pinto), standing on a train platform, smiling." This is a reccuring theme in the film often revisited. The slow motion frames could signify its importance because it its very noticable.
"The scene where Jamal’s mother killed was strongly brought up by the environment noise with less dialogue as it portrays a feel of disorganised nation". This example shows how Dickens uses digetic sound rather than non-digetic sound to signify emotions. In this example its a memory of the feeling of distortion.
Sunday 1 August 2010
Interview about Hot Fuzz
http://digitalfilms.wordpress.com/2007/06/16/interview-with-hot-fuzz-editor-chris-dickens/
This is a link to an article of an interview with Dickens talking about the process of editing Hot Fuzz
"Hot Fuzz used sound in a very stylized way, because it is a comedy. I initially did a lot of sound editing when I started in the business, so sound has been very important to me. Of course, it is fifty percent of any feature". This suggests sound is a main feature of Dickens editing style, due to his past experiences. He uses dramatic sound effects and music to create humour in Hot Fuzz such as "wooshes".
“Edgar wanted a fast-paced style to mimic action films. There are quite a lot of cuts in some sections to create transitional elements and to show police procedure." There is 5500 shots in the film. Dickens sometimes used a flashy montage to help the film transtion from one event to another. This is also seen in Shaun of the Dead too!
Some techniques like jump cuts are intentionally used in the film to help create the fast pace.
This is a link to an article of an interview with Dickens talking about the process of editing Hot Fuzz
"Hot Fuzz used sound in a very stylized way, because it is a comedy. I initially did a lot of sound editing when I started in the business, so sound has been very important to me. Of course, it is fifty percent of any feature". This suggests sound is a main feature of Dickens editing style, due to his past experiences. He uses dramatic sound effects and music to create humour in Hot Fuzz such as "wooshes".
“Edgar wanted a fast-paced style to mimic action films. There are quite a lot of cuts in some sections to create transitional elements and to show police procedure." There is 5500 shots in the film. Dickens sometimes used a flashy montage to help the film transtion from one event to another. This is also seen in Shaun of the Dead too!
Some techniques like jump cuts are intentionally used in the film to help create the fast pace.
Slumdog Millionaire Interview
Dickens explains how one of the challenges was cutting down the film from its orignal 3 hours 30 mins.
He believes he was chosen as the editor for his face paced style, similarly found in Hot Fuzz.
It was difficult balancing his life with work as he had to go to India for 4 months after getting married.
One challenge faced was combing the different elements of the film, to make it appear as one. For example, the episode of the film where the protgaonist is playing Who Wants to be a Millionaire, got to heavy making it the focus of the film, so the editor cut bits out to make it one part of the whole film.
The film crew had filmed a lot of the slums due to its beauty, but it had to be cut down due to timings.
BAFTA Interview: Chris Dickens on Slumdog Millionaire
After winning a BAFTA for editing Slumdog Millionaire, he talks about his experience editing the film.
His biggest challenge was working with the multi-strand narrative film, but this is also what attracted him to the job. He felt there was a lot of creative oppotunities to edit such a film.
Not only was the film shot in Mumbai, but Dickens also edited the film there. This allowed him to understand, almost "feel" the culture and life that was to be reflected in the film.
Chris Dickens: Interview about Slumdog Millionaire
In this interview, he talks about his though processes while editing, in particular Slumdog Millionaire.
He said that when he picks the shots for films, he doesn't choose the "best shot", but the shot that conveys the narrative best.
He felt he didn't have to worry about the visuals of the film because he trusted the producers and writers tastes in film. The challenge for him was editing the film in a way where the mise en scene and the camera work could be beeatiful in itself: Almost frame it through editing.
As the film is non-linear and is constatly jumping back and forth in time, Dickens main aim was to convey those those flashbacks clearly.
During the filming process, a range of cameras were used. This allowed him to use a range of footage to convey different meanings such a grainy stroby shots signified flashbacks.
Editing doesn't just focus on the shots but a balance of sound and visuals, to convey different meanings and emotions.
New aims
1. Watch the following films:
- Shaun of the Dead
- Hot Fuzz
- Slumdog Millionaire
- Spaced (TV series - if possible)
2. Research the films watched
- Reviews and comments about the editing style
- Research any information about the film itself
- The editor's interviews and comments about the films
- The contexts of the editing in relation to the film (reasons for editing styles, technology, techniques)
3. Analyse the films
- Use MIGRAIN key concepts
- Look at the editing techniques used and their meanings
- Find similarites and differences between the films
4. Get a better understanding of editing
- Processes invovled
Change of mind...
After watching "The Aviator" I have decided to rethink my choice of editor. Firstly, I believe Powell's style of editing isn't very specific or distincive enough to appropriate her style. It seems that Scorcese's films rely in the camera work rather than the editing to create the unique style of film. The editing just carefully supports the unique camera work.
Therefore I have decided to look at a film where the editing style interests me. My first thought was Shaun of the Dead (Edgar Wright, 2004), as I like the use of editing and non-linear narrative to bring comic effect to the film.
I quickly researched the editior named Chris Dickens, and found he also edited Hot Fuzz (Edgar Wright, 2007) and Slumdog Millionaire (Danny Boyle, 2008), two films I very much like.
I still plan to have the same end result, where I create a short film or TV episode paying homage to his work.
Therefore I have decided to look at a film where the editing style interests me. My first thought was Shaun of the Dead (Edgar Wright, 2004), as I like the use of editing and non-linear narrative to bring comic effect to the film.
I quickly researched the editior named Chris Dickens, and found he also edited Hot Fuzz (Edgar Wright, 2007) and Slumdog Millionaire (Danny Boyle, 2008), two films I very much like.
I still plan to have the same end result, where I create a short film or TV episode paying homage to his work.
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