Editing

Editing began in the week after filming was completed. We finished a few days earlier than the deadline.

Rendering the film

Selecting a sound clip

Here the sound at the end of this music file (Deep Haze, by Kevin MacLeod) is an oscillating ringing that would fill in a silence in the film without taking away from the scene with overly dramatic music. The problem however, is that part Diminuendos steadily. Looking at the graph above, the In and Out points are matched to patterns in the waves, the theory being that if looped, it would sound the same while staying at the same volume.

Testing sound Clip loop

Several attempts were made, each one tested to see if the loop was complete. Once perfected however, all that was needed to be done was adjust the levels and copy and paste the clip through the needed times.

Loop creates constant ringing

The entire sequence

Sound cut into timeline

This screenshot is a combination of sound to create the scene that we desired. The sounds all contribute to the whole enigma of the scene and emotion portrayed.

Cutting into sound (in point)

Razor blade tool

Razor blade tool used to cut files and insert new shot

Coming up with the title

To begin with, we had the name 'Trapped' in mind and used this name throughout our pre-production and production, but now we are at the post-production point and we chose to get a title with more meaning and research into making a thriller title. To the left is why we chose to change it.


To come up with the new title, we got a range of words and phrases and chose from them.
Our list included:

• Imprisonment
• Absence
• Abuse
• Adversary
• Allegation
• battery
• Bystander
• Capture
• Duty
• Flee
• Goodguy
• Influence
• Lethal
• Loyalty
• Missing
• Qurrel
• Rogue
• Vilgilance
• Unjust
• Vindicator
• Trapped

Our first thought was to go ahead with 'Trapped' but from the audience feedback we chose to change the title and give them an option to help us proceed, which are all the options above. From this (to the left) we came to conclusion that Absence would be the best option.


Absence: We have chosen this title because it represents our whole film's plot. It isn't as blunt as 'Trapped' was but creates slight enigma which was intended by most of the options.

Analysing thiller titles - Nigel

Kill Bill:

This title sequence is quite interesting.  Most of the title sequence is text over a black screen, this continues from the colour and lighting from the previous sequence. The previous sequence is practically shown entirely in black and white, creating a gloomy starting scene. Blood almost seemly to be even bolder on her face because it’s black on camera.  So the black background works in synergy with same colour and tone so there isn't too much difference between this and the next shot which is of the woman lying down, also in black and white.  The soundtrack which accompanies the title sequence starts once the sequence before ends (with the gunshot) and continues once the still-like image becomes the background. Although it isn't clear if it’s a moving or still image. It still works in synergy with the black screen. Some of the text in the opening credits represents a list type order. The text’s colour is white so it stands out much easier on the black background and the font is the same throughout. The actual title 'Kill Bill' has its own specific slide which comes after the institutional slides but before the life of stars/character names. The placement of this splits up the sequence and may suggest that time has passed from each part. This is because of the 'faded' like transition of the black screen. The black and white effect is lost once the sequence moves on and more colour is used.There is music which plays throughout the title sequence, starting immediately after the gunshot, not leaving much time for the audience to think before the time between sequences is delayed by the opening credits. The black and white sequence could suggest that the whole sequence is a flashback

Identity:

The opening credits for this film last a few minutes. To start with, it starts with institutional information, ‘COLUMBIA PICTURES PRESENTS’.  This, like the last opening I looked at, is a black screen with white text on it.  There is a voice over which begins near the end of this appearing onscreen. The next slide is a shot of a tape, zoomed in. Suggesting that the voice over is actually a tape playing.  Whilst this happens, there is more institutional text appearing on top of the shot with the same font and colour as the black screen text. The tape creates enigma behind the man’s voice, who is he?  The voice over is shouting ‘Don’t beat around the bush’ which means don’t waste time and get the point. This is creating enigma even more, why is he wasting time? The actual title is placed beside a man’s head, seeming to be a man who is investigating some crime or discovering something even more as there already has been pans and close ups of pictures which link to something. This could also suggest that it is the main character as its the first person you see in this story, the protagonist researching vital information. Although he could also be an insignificant character who isn't getting anywhere with the case. The title has a unique disappearance as it mixes up and fades away. This, as a whole, creates enigma and sets the genre of the film as it is suggested that it is a crime related plot. This is a very effective use opening credits because of the enigma it creates with the choice of shots used.

Fargo (1996):

 
This film begins with two institutional clips, then reveals a slide which says that it is a true story, this could help the viewers feel like this is a realistic tale. Just like Kill Bill. The colours of the background relate to what is to come in the sequence, as shown here, the background is white. This could either be a blizzard or just a white screen at this point you don't know. The text which comes up switches from being white on a black screen to black text the vast majority of the background's white. The title appears on a similar background as before but the lettering is has gaps from each letter, as were some of the institutional slides. After this, the setting is revealed as being a snowy landscape (shown when a car drives passed). This title sequence creates enigma and the snowy background could even be related and compared to mist/fog. The blizzard effect could create a sense of isolation and lonesomeness in a snowy landscape.

Analysing thiller titles- Stephen

Brighton Rock

In the beginning title sequence to Brighton Rock we are thrown straight to the ambience of a thriller genre, with appropriate ambient sounds. The non-diegetic sounds of fog horns and the faint sound of water running create a somewhat ominous feeling; backed up by the black screen. Additionally, the title screens imagery- the studio’s name shrouded in fog- creates a visual effect which further adds to the ominous feeling of the opening. Fog usually entitles a hidden mystery- an enigma- which could have been used to foreshadow a coming twist. Additionally, this edited effect can be seen as an appropriate way to set the setting: A foggy town, shrouded in hidden mysteries and secrets. Finally, in the title screen again, we witness the name of the film show up- but it is being hidden by the fog; only being illuminated by a lighthouse.  The fog is definitely something to consider for our title sequence; and the illuminating title would be a nice added detail. Both would feature appropriately in our plot; some of the film will be taken in a 'cold winter' setting, and other parts in a dark room that needs illuminating.  

 

Europa report

Seconds before we see the title of the film the editing effects relay the atmosphere of the film; frantic. There are several shots appearing then disappearing within milliseconds of one another, contributing to the atmosphere of the film in a very detailed way. The title itself shows a militaristic vibe; giving an idea of the plot and setting of the film. The background is black, done to give a dark contrast- both metaphorically and literally- to the otherwise bright opening. Additionally, the blackness reflects darkness of space. The font of the title also gives a scientific feeling, and through it we understand that this was a very serious mission that the characters were going on. This feeling would make a great opening to a plot- yet it is more than a few minutes into the film when we see it. This placement surprises the audience, who were expecting a title sequence after the institutional information. This effect causes the audience to reflect on what happened before and after the title appears; focusing on the drama that unfolds around the title. If our film was to last longer than two minutes it would be a great idea to place the titles between two dramatically changing points of the plot- causing the audience to actually think about what has happened in the plot instead of just watching it and expecting it to unfold for them. After the title cuts back to the plot; we get a flashback to six months prior. This additional plot information shows the time, something that is essential in thriller films (How quick something happens can surprise the viewer and additionally how slow the opening is can lead to a false sense of security.)


Super 8

The title screen of the film appears straight after the production company's titles. The title appears from darkness; illuminating from the 'pe' outwards. This effect is much like that of the 'Super 8' camera, central to the plot of the film. This effect also leaves part of the title darker than the others- perhaps reflecting that part of the film will be much darker than other parts. The colours contrast perfectly; the white lettering upon the black background which create a sense of clarity- foreshadowing a plot point, perhaps? Furthermore, the sense of illumination can also reflect on that upon the mind- being enlightened- which could also be a direct part of the films plot. The title sequence ends after a few seconds, going straight into the depressing plot. The reason for this could be so not to interrupt the plot; allowing the depressing ambiance to flow seamlessly through the sequence, keeping the suspense upon the viewer.  The shortness of the opening can foresee the restricted narration of the film; how most shots are short and designed to thrill the viewer.





 

Editing our Title

This is the start of our title creation and experiments. Here we have a zoom effect in an attempt to create the effect that we desired.

 

This is our final image; showing how short the title will appear for and a still image of how the title will pass through the frame. 

Due to a change in title name we had to change the title, making it "Absence" instead of "Trapped." We also changed the font, making the lettering more distinct and prominent. The spacing between the letters is also a representation of being trapped and isolated due to the space leaving the letters in solitude. The black background also reflects the darkness of being isolated; while also making the title much more distinct.

 

 We decided to add an ominous fog effect, making the title much more mysterious. The idea of fog is that it hides something, alongside Enigmas, they go hand-in-hand together. The fog creates an enigma- the audience wonders what is being hidden from them.

Finally, we added a zoom effect to make the title much more eye catching. The zoom makes the title disapear into the fog- being hidden by the ominisity of the fog, further enhancing the enigma.

Organisation

Our organisation for the Thriller project, we created separate folders for each location and renamed each shot with a specific description. This will make it easier for us to navigate our project and help us to create our thriller opening in an organised and clear manner.