Re-Editing Blog

Re-editing our film has been a top priority for the past few days. It has been quite a struggle since we could not use the computers at school anymore. Transferring from Pinnacle Studios to Lesly's computer software has been a bit hard because Pinnacle Studios is what we were used to using. This has to be a change though because in the worst scenario Pinnacle Studios would just never load and we did try multiple different computers. When we were lucky and it worked that’s when we were able to edit. We now switch between both Pinnacle studios and Lesly's computer programmed video editor. This is due to the fact that we wanted to start at home and continue because the computers at school would sometimes be slow. So, Lesly imported all the scenes and put them in order of the storyboard. Therefore, we’d only have to split each scene in order to add specific details. For instance the titles design, transitions, and special effects. Since the titles in Pinnacle Studios did not have anything that would go with our theme, we used Lesly's editing software to edit the design of each title. This process was grueling because we had to decide which fonts and styles we wanted to use. Many fonts were very similar and were only different in tiny aspects.

First, we wanted to find a scary font for the title of the movie, but at first, we couldn’t so there was a basic one. We also wanted to fix the rest of the fonts, so it would match well with the title font. Anyeska and I found a scary dripping font which we changed to red and a green background. It looked as though blood was dripping, which helped create spookiness. The other titles were changed also, and the color along with it being red. After this, Britania began looking for transitions to add between each scene. It would be more entertaining and create suspense, and overall improve the smoothness of the film. So we thought about adding them at the beginning when the girls are playing Frisbee as their title appears, to transitioning to the next person. Another detail we did was special effects. Lesly added a scream in the scene where Britania is separated from the group and sees the entity again before she gets possessed. Lesly and I also added a screeching effect when an eye-line match was created between the monster and Claire. Below is a picture of me re-editing the beginning of the film.

Editing Blog: New Software

Today the group and I re-filmed some more scenes that did not turn out good from before. So, once again we have to dump those scenes from the SD card to the computer. We cut unnecessary parts from each scene and continued to edit. We added titles and decided on a regular font for now. The font is white and does not appeal to our theme, but this will be changed later on. We added all of the titles we needed in the beginning. I added a creepy transition to the title of our movie. This will let the audience know the movie genre is horror. Along with this, I added creepy music in the beginning. Lesly and I looked for copyright-free music online and found plenty of amazing options.

Furthermore, I edited the music to lower and completely disappear by the time the characters started with dialogue. Creating suspense from the very beginning. Since we couldn’t use a computer from school due to the coronavirus epidemic. We decided to use Lesly’s computer editing software. Using his editing software we designed a scary edit to complement the audience’s watching experience. This technique was found in previous horror films that have been made. This technique was to edit some quick pans of scary objects we filmed. One of the props was a scary doll, spiders, and a broken mirror. For the edit, the filter of the pan was changed. I also changed the color to black and white to adhere to the horror-like theme of the film. Below is a picture of the new editing software on Lesly’s computer that we are using.

Editing Blog: Inserting New Scenes

Today my group and I got on our google drive and found all the new reshoot scenes we filmed. We needed to re-film because in several scenes some of the actors' appearances changed. Everything we had previously filmed was no longer good use. Therefore, we needed to re-edit again. This was a long process, but it'd guarantee the film appearing smooth and appealing to the audience. First, we took the SD card reader provided to us by our teachers. The SD card reader contained all the scenes we filmed previously. Then, I opened up the Pinnacle Studios editing software and dumped all of the scenes into the application. After this, I proceeded to move the scenes into the order of the storyboard. This is to help the film make more sense.

Additionally, my group and I created a special method to know what scenes are placed where. This method is to number the scenes and then place them corresponding to their number. Another thing designed was a scary edit, to complement the audience’s watching experience. This technique was taken from previous horror films watched. It was to edit some quick pans of scary props we filmed. There was a scary doll, handprints, spiders, and a broken mirror. Afterward, the filter of the pan was changed. It was changed to black and white, to complement the horror-like theme of the film. This edit gives the impression of a safe environment at first, then quickly switches to a scary pan. This is meant to keep viewers on their toes throughout the beginning of the film. The picture below is cutting each scene.

Reshooting Blog

On Sunday, my group came to my house to re-shoot a scene that needed improvement. The meeting time was around 4 o’clock p.m. The last time we filmed, it only took about two or three hours, so that’s why I was confident enough to film this later. The only scene we reshot was the girl’s eating scene. It introduces the problem of Britannia's(Claire) realizing that she forgot her phone at the abandonded house. Lesly rove us to Dominoes, so we could order pizza, and use it for the film. Then, we went back to my house and started filming the scene. Although it took multiple takes, we successfully finished the scene. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to reshoot the rest of the scenes because it was raining. The following paragraph will explain the rest of the scenes and why we will be reshooting them next weekend. 

There are five scenes my group and I planned on reshooting. One being Anyeska’s scene, where she catches and throws the frisbee for her title sequence. This scene needs improvement because she looks at the camera. Another is Jazmin’s title, where she catches and throws the frisbee for her title sequence. This scene needs improvement because it is too short and looks staged. After this, we are going to reshoot the frisbee accidentally being thrown inside the abandoned house. This is because the viewer can’t see the frisbee in the air and it looks unrealistic. Following this scene, we want to add a scene of Lesly(the monster) quickly taking the frisbee that landed inside. The next scene planned is an action match. It will be a scene of the girls walking up to the house, opening the door and then walking in the house, closing the door. We recorded this the last time we filmed, but it got deleted. 

Peer Review Blog

Peer Review for the final task was on March 2nd and 3rd. This would help me decide whether the film needs to be edited or ready to be accepted. My teacher assigned each group or individual to another in order to revise a film. I checked the form to see what group or individual I would be reviewing, but it turned out I didn’t have one. My group was the only ones who wouldn’t be receiving feedback from another group. However, we asked for classmates who finished with their group to watch it.

Below are front and back pictures of the peer review for the final task paper. Essentially, I watched that group’s film and answered the questions based on my own opinion. On the front of the peer review task paper, the first question asked if the film was the correct length, which I responded no; the film was 2:10, not between 1:50-2:00. Then, there was a question regarding the film’s story and what I perceived it was. After this, there are multiple yes or no questions regarding transitions and the title sequences. Along with some questions about the film’s lighting and sound. On the back of the peer review task paper, there are yes or no questions and what time the specific camera angles, shots, and movements and sounds occurred. This group failed to include an establishing shot, low angle, eye-line match, and action match in their film. One thing I really liked about the film is the plot. A plot is the main event of a play, novel, or movie that’s devised or present by the writer as an interrelated sequence. In this film, the story is that a girl rents a room that turns out to be owned by a crazy psycho renter. There are several scenes of the renter planning in secret about the girl. For instance, the renter turning off the lights, locking the front door, and eventually killing her. Lastly, the one suggestion I would make to the film is to adjust the sound so that the dialogue isn’t overpowered by the soundtrack.