Embedded Files
Post-Production
Post-Production
Postproduction is the process of EDITING your video footage. We use Adobe Premiere Elements, but there are dozens of other digital editing software applications such as:
BASIC EDITORS (free) - Windows MovieMaker, Apple iMovie, VirtualDub
CONSUMER EDITORS - Sony Vegas, Adobe Rush, Premiere Elements, Final Cut, Hitfilm Express (free&paid), DaVinci Resolve (free and paid)
ADVANCED EDITORS (costly) - Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro
The goals of "Post-Production" editing are typically to:
TRIM raw footage to the essential shots
ARRANGE the order of footage to tell the story
Add APPROPRIATE* and TASTEFUL
TITLES
CAPTIONS
TRANSITIONS
GRAPHICS
SOUND EFFECTS
MUSIC
Adjust
SOUND LEVELS
IMAGE QUALITY
*Appropriate means that the editing "enhances" the content; it gives content a professional appearance and makes it more effective
Inappropriate editing (ie excessive, random transitions, poorly designed titles, sound effects or music) can rob your production of integrity, and make it appear "amateurish".
Premiere Elements
Premiere Elements
Setup and pane introduction
Setup and pane introduction
1) First off, choose VIDEO EDITOR, then NEW PROJECT
2) Next CLICK ON EXPERT MODE
3) IMMEDIATELY click on FILE>Save As> and choose a location ON THE D DRIVE in a subfolder you make with the assignment name on it. If you don't do this now, Premiere will keep saving it temporarily to your server account and you will find the connection laggy and likely will crash Premiere.
4) Next we want to add media (video/audio clips, or graphics) to our project. We do so by clicking on Add Media. Notice our choices now. For the most part we'll be grabbing these assets from our hard drive so click on Files and Folders and navigate to the clip(s) we want to bring in.
The Main Screen for Premiere has three main areas -
PREVIEW lets you see a ROUGH draft of your movie - it's clarity and quality depend on how fast your computer is
Adjustments/Effects - where you can see all relevant information pertaining to the asset currently highlighted, be it position, size, opacity, any effects added etc... It's also where you'll see keyframing adjustments which are talked about in grades 11/12
TIMELINE is where you will assemble and compose your video clips, sound effects and graphics
ACTION BAR is where you can access the
Tools
Transitions
Titles&Text effects
Audio&Video Effects
Music and music enhancements
Graphics
5) Additionally, on the TIMELINE you'll have the "handle" to move around where you are in time. It's called a Current Time Indicator (CTI).
6) On the right side of the TIMELINE is an area which has the
Render button - which applies all effects to a clip and outputs it to a temporary file and in RAM to make playback smoother. This can cause Premiere to crash if you're working with large clips and/or many different smaller 1080p clips and/or many different CPU intensive effects. ('enter' on your keyboard)
Fit to timeline - takes all your clips and makes the timeline view zoom out to the point where everything visually fits on your monitor view. ('\' on your keyboard)
Zoom out - zooms out of your clip view ('-' on your keyboard)
Zoom in - zooms in on your clip view ('=' on your keyboard)
Premiere Professional
Premiere Professional
1) Create a new project. This should be done IN A BRAND NEW FOLDER.
2) Point the file to the folder location of your choosing. DO NOT TAKE THE DEFAULT. It points to the server and the Premiere will likely crash often or lag badly if you keep it on the server.
3) Next we want to add media (video/audio clips, or graphics) to our project. MAKE SURE THE FOOTAGE IS IN THE SAME FOLDER AS YOUR PROJECT ON THE D DRIVE. We do so by clicking on Add Media. Notice our choices now. For the most part we'll be grabbing these assets from our hard drive so click on Files and Folders and navigate to the clip(s) we want to bring in.
4) The Main Screen for Premiere has many workspace defaults but we typically use EDITING workspace.
In Editing Workspace there are four main areas -
Source Panel (and behind it is the Effects Control) on the top left. Here you can do your set in's and set-outs or, if Effects Control is selected, you can alter relevant information pertaining to the asset currently highlighted, be it position, size, opacity, any effects added etc... It's also where you'll see keyframing adjustments
Sequence Preview (top right)lets you see a ROUGH draft of your movie - it's clarity and quality depend on how fast your computer is
TIMELINE (bottom right) is where you will assemble and compose your video clips, sound effects and graphics
Project bin (and behind it are your Effects warehouse).
Additionally, on the TIMELINE you'll have the "handle" to move around where you are in time. It's called a Current Time Indicator (CTI).
There are several important shortcuts to note:
Fit to timeline - takes all your clips and makes the timeline view zoom out to the point where everything visually fits on your monitor view. '\' on your keyboard
Zoom out - zooms out of your clip view: '-' on your keyboard
Zoom in - zooms in on your clip view: '=' on your keyboard
Basic Editing
Basic Editing
Please refer to Premiere's guide on all of the various types of edits (trim, slip, slide, roll etc...). It really is excellent and will save you tons of time in the long run.
Initial editing means trimming the raw clips down to extract just the moments you need to tell your story. Editing is the process to arrange your clips, get them to the right length and sequence them such that the story is told in the most efficient manner possible.
Generally the steps to editing are
1) have storyboard and get the corresponding shots needed. Rename them to make sense (instead of dsc_00103 rename to Interview1 etc..)
2) doubleclick the video clip of interest to browse it in the Source Monitor and mark the set-in and set-out points
3) drag the clip to the timeline (or other means of insertion).
There are several methods to shorten your clip to the desired length:
Method #1: Trimming the clip in the source monitor (this is typically done first regardless of other types of trimming done later on)
Method #1: Trimming the clip in the source monitor (this is typically done first regardless of other types of trimming done later on)
Setting In (i on the keyboard) and Out (o on the keyboard) points does not delete frames from the hard drive. Instead, it isolates the portion you want included in the movie. In and Out points act like a window over the clip, showing only the frames from the In point to the Out point. You can move In and Out points as needed to regain any frames you might have trimmed.
Once trimmed you can move your footage down to the timeline.
If you intend on using this clip again, but have a different set In/Out point, you make a subclip by right clicking on the image on the source monitor once your set in/out points are chosen. Once performed, just adjust the clip to the new set In/Out points.
PROTIP: You can insert footage from your source monitor at the CTI pressing period(,) on your keyboard!
Method #2: Trimming in the timeline (see the image below)
Method #2: Trimming in the timeline (see the image below)
Regular Edits
Regular Edits
Using the is the default tool in the timeline, position the pointer over the left edge, or right edge of a clip that you want to trim IN THE TIMELINE until the correct red bracket icon appears. Click and drag the trim to hide/reveal more or less of your footage. Note this only works if you've got footage already masked.
Clicking the edit point with the Selection tool chooses a Trim In or Trim Out edit point selection, depending on which side of the edit point you select. Moving the Trim In or Trim Out points is called a regular edit. THIS WILL LEAVE A GAP in your footage when you trim. If this is not desirable you can use one of the other two edit types in Method #2.
Ripple Edits
Ripple Edits
This closes gaps caused by the edit and preserves all edits to the left or right of the trimmed clip. Clicking the edit point with the Ripple Edit tool chooses a Ripple In or Ripple Out edit point selection, depending on the side of the edit point you click. If you use Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) on the edit point with the Ripple Edit tool, the cursor shows the Rolling Edit tool.
Rolling Edits
Rolling Edits
The Rolling Edit Tool trims the In point of one and the Out point of the other, while leaving the combined duration of the two clips unchanged. Clicking the edit point with the Rolling Edit tool selects both sides of the edit point. Think of it as showing masked footage in one clip at the same time as masking footage in the other clip so the overall duration stays constant
Method #3: Cutting the clip
The clip will automatically be segmented into 2 parts at the playhead position when you click on the scissors icon.
In premiere pro you have to click on the razor tool, then click on your clip to cut it.
BEST PRACTICE: learn that the shortchut CTRL+K cuts instead of having to click on anything.
In premiere elements
In premiere pro
CTRL+K simply cuts the footage at that point and splits it into 2 clips
Another approach to trimming is by using Q and W on your timeline. Q will perform a Top edit (which is to ripple trim your footage from the left edge of the footage to your CTI) and W will perform a Tail edit which will ripple footage from the right edge back to the CTI point.
Common contextual menu selections
Common contextual menu selections
Often in editing we'll cut/copy/paste clips, but beyond that, what do we know about the contextual (right click) menu in Premiere Elements?
1) Delete Audio or Video- if we only wanted, say, audio or video from a track we could right click the clip, then choose the appropriate selection leaving behind what we wanted (for example, perhaps we ONLY wanted the audio, so we right click the clip, then choose delete video.
2) Enable - is used when we want to "see through" or ignore the video/audio track. This lets us focus on other things going on at that time. This is especially prevalent in video editing when we have multiple clips stacked on top of each other and only the top one (highest number) is visible by default. After unchecking ENABLE, you can re-enable it by applying the checkbox again when you're done ignore it.
3) Unlink Audio/Video - should you want to move the video separately from the audio, this is what you'd choose.
4) Group/Ungroup - useful for moving blocks of assets together if they're in multiple clips. This ensures you don't accidentally timeshift one clip relative to another.
5) Time Stretch - for those slow-mo or super-speed moments
6) Edit Original - lets you get back to the original state of the clip and re-edit it and replace it in your timeline at that point
Types of common transitions
Types of common transitions
A cut, the most basic type of transition, is a transition with no duration; when one shot ends, another one immediately begins, without any overlap. All other transitions gradually replace one shot with another; when one shot ends, another one gradually replaces it.
Fade: This begins with a shot at full intensity and reduces until it is gone. A fade-in begins with a shot at no intensity and increases until it is full. These are the common “fade to black” and “fade up (from black)” transitions.
Cross dissolve: This involves two shots. The first shot fades out while the second shot simultaneously fades in. During the cross dissolve, the two shots are superimposed as they fade.
Wipe: This is where the screen splits, moving from one side of the image to the other to gradually reveal the next shot. It is more obvious than a fade or cross dissolve.
J cuts vs. L cuts:
J cuts vs. L cuts:
Sometimes you don't want "ping-pong" cutting, or switching back and forth between clips. It can lead to disorientation. In this case you can have your audio lead in before the video is shown, or the video shown before the audio occurs. If your audio cuts from the first clip to the second clip, but the video from the first clip continues, it forms an J shape in the timeline. However, If the video from the second clip comes in before the audio for that clip does, this forms a L shape in the timeline. In ancient times, before "timelines" or digital editing even existed, these cuts were known as "video advance" and "audio advance."
Bueller, bueller, bueller - example of J and L cuts
ManOnTheInside_JL_Cut.mp4From: A Man on the Inside - example of multicamera edit with J/L cut
Storyline Editing
Storyline Editing
Remember the good editing tips from TGJ2O:
Keep individual scenes short. Switch between A and B rolls so that you don't get bogged down in a particularly long clip (unless it's specifically part of the goal for the scene). Remember, 15 seconds of footage is typically the LONGEST you want to show any particular clip.
Focus on the scene. Each scene needs to be taken from the rest of the whole when you are first story editing. It is important to think of the film as one large project, but it is important to remain focused on each piece individually right in the beginning.
When you are editing a scene you need to have the script, notes, and any other production documents that you can possibly find. You want to maintain the appropriate pace of the scene, while at the same time getting all of the story elements that are important.
You should keep your story arc always first and foremost at all times. Character development, plot, continuity all depend on a story that keeps going. If you get distracted, then the audience definitely will.
The best thing to do is lay out the entire story of the film as plainly as you possibly can. Go through it and make sure that an uninitiated audience member will be able to pick up on all the plot elements, characters, and themes easily. From here other types of editing can be applied to mix it up, add energy, deal with aesthetic problems, and elevate the film to more than just a storytelling medium.
If you forget typical editing rules, then check out this article. You may want to check it out anyhow.
Sound in the Storytelling process
Sound in the Storytelling process
Consists of:
1) Voicework
2) Foley work and sound effects
3) Soundtracks
1) Recording Voicework
1) Recording Voicework
To Get Started:
In the classroom, we use microphone equipped headsets to record voicework for multimedia productions. Adjust the headset so the mic is close to your mouth, and check that any switches and volume controls are turned on. Recording in early morning, at noon or after classes is ideal to minimize background noise.
We record either into a Zoom5 (then transfer to the computer), or a USB BlueSpark microphone (directly into the computer - likely into Audacity)
Recording into the computer
In the FRONT (or back) of the computers, OPEN THE BLACK HATCH and plug the headset's green (speaker output) and pink (mic input) cables into the appropriately coloured ports.
If you're using a USB mic - right click on the sound icon at the bottom right and go to recording devices. Ensure USB microphone is selected.
Install AUDACITY if it's not already on the computer
If need be, change the input source to MICROPHONE in the top selection box
Press the RECORD button and speak to TEST your recording levels. Adjust the Microphone slider if required:
MIC SET TOO LOW: This yields faint audio that sounds “hissy” when amplified.
>> (Hint - Try moving the mic closer to your mouth!)
MIC SET TOO HIGH: This creates CLIPPING resulting in unacceptable distortion.
IDEAL LEVELS: The waveform fills the “canvas” without “Clipping”
Close any test tracks by clicking the X in the top left corner.
WHEN YOU’RE READY TO RECORD
Position your script so you can read it
RECORD YOUR DIALOGUE
SPEAK SLOWLY and CLEARLY
SPEAK EMPHATICALLY! If you don’t use an emphatic, upbeat voice, your dialogue can get lost under any video or animation, and you’ll need to re-record.
Record ALL your lines at once with a slight gap between them. Hit the STOP button when you’re done.
PROCESS YOUR DIALOGUE
Highlight a chunk of dialogue and hit the PLAY button to preview it
Delete the chunks of dialogue that is flawed
Amplify chunks of dialogue that are too low in levels
Trim and fade chunks to remove leading and trailing noise
SELECT - SAVE YOUR DIALOGUE
Highlight the first bit of dialogue you’d like to save. Preview it by click the PLAY button
Use FILE | EXPORT SELECTION as WAV to save that first clip. Repeat the process for any remaining audio clips.
Record all your dialoque at once, but save them into seperate files.
NOTE: Be careful NOT to simply use [CTRL-S] or SAVE PROJECT - that creates a complex series of files in Audacity's project storage format. It will NOT create any useful files for you to import into any other program.
If you've followed the instructions properly, your voiceover work is now in WAV format and ready to be imported into Premiere or Flash.
2) Sound Effects & Foley Work
2) Sound Effects & Foley Work
What is foley work?
What is foley work?
Foley is a part of the post-production sound process where sound effects are performed and recorded in time with an edited film. Creating "real" sounding Foley is about having the right prop, performing the effect accurately and recording it in the correct acoustic space. Foley covers an incredibly wide range of sounds that are added to a film during post-production; everything from falling debris to footsteps, to garment rustles, to cutlery clinks, sloshing water, sword hits, kissing... you name it.
How do we make "Foley work"?
How do we make "Foley work"?
We can use Audacity to do some of the recording and mixing in the studio. Foley work also relies on good old creativity. Did you know that the Foley work for a broken bone is obtained by breaking celery next to the microphone!?!
Some places you might search for free sound effects in lieu of recording the foley work ourselves:
3) Soundtracks
3) Soundtracks
Ideally - soundtracks flavour the film. For example - look at this excerpt from Empire Strikes Back (below)
I would recommend the following work-flow:
Start recording narrative
Add Foley work on separate tracks
Once done, select a piece of music from CreativeCommons.org , Jamendo or Soundcloud and save to your account - for example THIS PIECE). ALTERNATIVELY MAYBE RECORD YOUR OWN!!! I highly recommend checking out the sound page for a sound creation website/software. To access the account section simply use your G+ ocdsb account to create an account. In less than 1 minute I was able to mix the following- it's that easy (mixdown)
tweak volume on your various sound layers to deliver the emotional content you're looking for.
Assignment # 9 Soundtrack to a Chase Scene
Assignment # 9 Soundtrack to a Chase Scene
With a group of friends or solo, brainstorm a chase scene - it can be literal or metaphorical. Use storyboards to plan it out (not being evaluated), then film it. The visual experience is 1/2 the weight of the project - the other half comes from making an accompanying soundtrack for the sequence after filming.
Use Soundation, Audacity and/or other mixing software or app of your choice to create a piece of music that fits this chase scene. You may use a completely pre-produced audio experience (worse marks) to completely original (best marks).
Add your audio to your video sequence in Premiere, and give it an on-screen title and if you have to use pictures/footage to supplement the chase scene visuals, then ensure it is copyright free.
The case scene and soundtrack should target 1 minute (at most), but no less than 30s. When done look at the section below on how to export your video. To be clear, your purple premiere editing file (PrProj) is NOT something I can use to mark, the project has to be exported to MP4. Include in your submission a screencapture of your editing experience (ie windows snip of bandlab editing or noteflight or whatever editing software you used).
We will screen your product in front of the class.
You are being evaluated on a) the visual experience (filmed footage vs. just some text on screen) and b) your auditory experience (original vs. pre-produced)
Links to both Music creation websites and Sound Effects
When you're done you need to export your project in order to turn it in. Click on your timeline. Select all the clips (Ctrl+A). Then File>Export>Media. Or click on th EXPORT button at the top of the program (next to EDIT).
Choose H.264 (probably on by default), then choose an output name (and location).
Lastly, click on EXPORT at the bottom of the window.
Submit that exported MP4 and NOT the PProj file
Groups can work together to capture footage, but each person is responsible for their own soundtrack and final video edit.
Adding Titles and Graphics to your final edits
Adding Titles and Graphics to your final edits
Moving beyond just the Text Tool into animation
Exporting
Exporting
If you are using Premiere Elements:
Render your projects into playable video files using the PUBLISH & SHARE tab at the top right of your Premiere screen
choose AVCHD
in the presets dropdown menu choose MP4 HD 720p 30fps
point the file location to the D drive (local drive), and give it a meaningful name.
press SAVE and watch it render. Rendering could take from a minute to an hour depeding on the complexity of the render.
If you are using Premiere Pro:
select all of your clips in the timeline (ctrl+a)
Select File → Export → Media… from the menubar.
On the right in the Export Settings window, Format: select H.264. H.264 will create an MP4 video file that is playable on most computers, tablets, and smartphones.
Click on the Output Name to give the file a custom name and setup the save location on your hard drive.
Click the Export button at the bottom to start exporting the file.
Media file formats
Media file formats
One of the trickiest parts of video editing is knowing what file format you should save your work as. There are DOZENS of different video "formats" that you can use - the RIGHT choice depends on what you plan to do with the video. There is a fine art to choosing the right one for the right occasion, and it can lead to a career in any number of post-production studios.
NOTE IN THE VIDEO ABOVE HE'S EUROPEAN AND THEY USE PAL, here in North America we choose NTSC, widescreen.
Confused? Maybe this can help explain codecs and containers.
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