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I just can’t get a good look with my finished productions
Hi there all,
I guess there could be some of you out there that will know what I mean by my dilemma:
I have been shooting and editing since 1984. I consider myself as a competent and creative camera person and editor, but, you know, when I look at my current productions – after all these years – I am just not happy with the overall look or feel of them.
I produce mainly in-house corporates and short promtotional and documentary-style films, now being shot on DVCAM (DSR 570WSP) and edited in FCP 5.02.
I have the gear, the knowledge and experience, but have trouble nailing that polished, broadcast look.
Now I admit, through all these years I have never had formal training in any aspect of video production and I feel that because I don’t do things by the book, that this might be why I am not 100% satisfied. Could someone tell me if there is a good book or manual filled with “rules of thumb” for editing that might teach (force) me to do things the right way. For example:
1) When should I fade music in and out working with a voice-over
2) How long should a dissolve or fade to/from black be in different circumstances?
3) How long should a title be on the screen for?
4) At what speed should a title roll or crawl?
5) Should a dissolve between two panning shots start before or after the pan stops/starts?
6) What EXACT settings should I use in, say, final cut pro to get a certain “look”?
You know, a Handbook/Rulebook of sorts for the video producer/editor is what I am after.
Look forward to some replies to help me over this hurdle.
Then again, perhaps it is just because I spend so much time on a project, by the end of editing it loses it’s freshness and there are no surprises for me, unlike watching someone else’s work…
Thanks
DS
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3 Replies
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[David See] “Then again, perhaps it is just because I spend so much time on a project, by the end of editing it loses it’s freshness and there are no surprises for me, unlike watching someone else’s work…”
That says it all. I don’t think you need a book, I think you need a finishing editor. Someone who can online & polish the pieces for you. Yes, it would probably mean raising your rates if you had to pay for an extra day of editing on each project, but you might be able to get better clients with a more polished look.
BTW, to answer your more specific questions:
1-4: Depends on each specific VO, dissolve or title, but generally, as long or short as “it” wants to be. IOW, let the pace of the VO & beat of the music be your guide, the rhythms & timing of the cutting determine the dissolve/fade times, and make sure each & every title is readable at a moderate to slow pace.
5: I like to dissolve between moving shots while both shots are moving. It just looks more organic to me
6: Depends on the look. But you were asking that rhetorically, weren’t you?Arnie
https://www.arniepix.com -
This is a great post for the Art of the Edit forum. Just the kind of thing they are discussing over there.
Rich Rubasch
Tilt Media -
There’s a lot of things that can contribute to a particular “look” or style, and it begins in the production phase.
Camera angles, audio recording, lighting and shot selection will provide the raw materials. Each aspect will add or detract from the final product’s quality.
Then there’s editing where timing is everything. It’ll determine the pace and the feel of the production. Is it laid back? Frantic?
Color correction, audio mixdown and EQ. Selection and incorporation of score. Graphic elements, everything from selection of color to typestyle will all help build a viewer’s perception of production quality and style. Each of these elements is a complete discipline within themselves and finding any one person truly proficient in all of them is rare.
Unfortunately there aren’t too many hard rules that will let you quantify these issues. It’s really a feeling one develops along the way. For example, audio engineers develop an ear for good sound. Photographers have a sense for composition and lighting.
Some literature that might help would be something written by recognized editors and broadcast designers. I don’t have any off the top of my head but I’m certain there are some here who might.
Hope this helps somewhat.
Dean Sensui — http://www.HawaiiGoesFishing.com
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