InCamera Editing

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In-Camera Editing

• Emma Bull
• Secondary Education Adviser,
• Film Education

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Overview and outcomes

• Exploring definitions of editing
• What is in-camera, and why use it?
• Tech spec
• Viewing examples
• Tips for students
• The task

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Film Editing The Relation of Shot to Shot

• Editing may be thought of as the coordination of
  one shot to the next (Film Art, Bordwell and
  Thompson)
• Hollywood films and many TV series generally use
  multiple cameras and many takes
• In the edit, each shot is chosen from reels of
  footage shots chosen to create a sequence
  sequences joined to create finished film

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What is the relationship between a series of
shots in sequence? What meanings can we infer
from the juxtaposition of shots? What deliberate
choices have been made in the direction, and in
the edit?
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What does it mean to edit in camera?

• Shooting sequentially, with shots taken in the
  order they will appear in finished film
• No trimming or rearranging post-production
  editing not necessary
• Shoot the length of shot required and no more
• Single-camera approach
• One take only

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Challenging a post-production definition of
editing?

• Using this approach, the editing process is
  on-going from initial planning, through
  rehearsal, to the final shot
• It is then possible to manipulate the finished
  product using editing software, if this is
  available or desirable

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For example
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Tech Spec

• Camera
• Tripod
• Tape
• Firewire

Alternatively, use mobile device or webcam
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Why use this approach?

• Careful and detailed planning are essential aids
  learning process
• Clear understanding of filming process, and of
  process filmed
• Disciplined approach leads to higher quality
  filmed outcomes
• Precision and continuity could supply challenge
  for more able
• Less time in edit suite, less pressure on
  resources

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In-camera in practise

• Tense sequences developed out of Year 8 Media
  work on Hospital Dramas
• Understanding of genre, narrative and key
  principles of continuity editing
• Sequences planned, rehearsed and filmed, then
  evaluated and re-shot

it promotes imaginative ownership of editing
decisions. Each one has to be fully realised
mentally before the record button is
pressedJames Durran, AST
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Student example Stage Fall
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Filming sequential events or processes (Tea
movie)
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This example is created along more aesthetic
principles Laundry
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Model, create, view, review

• Model the process with whole class using firewire
  and projector
• View created films as a plenary task students
  comment on their films thus demonstrating
  principles learnt during the filming process

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Planning is essential

• Decide on idea, and number of shots
• Roughly outline
• Refine and storyboard
• Add notes on shot length, camera movement etc
• Rehearse each shot several times with camera in
  position
• One take no rewinding and re-recording

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Tips for students

• Tripod
• Camera static, subject moves subject static,
  camera moves
• Clean start and finish to shots
• White balance/light sources
• Zooming during shots
• Unwanted sound
• Continuity in space, of action etc
• 180 degree rule

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Task 1

• Plan, storyboard and shoot an 8 - 10 shot film
  using this technique - this can be narrative,
  associational or abstract.
• Your title is This July
• Pay particular attention to shot types, angles
  and shot length
• Important to rehearse shots before shooting as
  you cant rewind and retake
• Storyboard as guideline annotate as you shoot
• Consider continuity you could use natural
  juxtapositions, or draw attention to them

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Building on the technique

• Range of shot types, angles or camera movement
• Variety of shot lengths
• Unusual perspectives
• Creating transitions light or colour continues
  into next shot blur end and beginning of shots
  by adjusting focus etc.
• Build in blank shots by shooting with lens cap on
• Fade up or down on camera if available

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Task 2

• Now add 3-4 additional shots to your original
  storyboard.
• You may wish to develop narrative, add new shot
  types or include more information about location,
  character etc.
• Re-shoot the whole film including the extra
  shots. Aim for a more polished version of the
  original.

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Possible applications

• Filming short texts, e.g. poems, myths etc
• Demonstrating technique or process in sport,
  science, cookery etc.
• Filming live events
• Video diaries
• Revision activity - embedding key principles
• AS/A2 transition project - understanding
  continuity editing
• Short sequence as part of a longer film

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References

• Film Art an Introduction Bordwell and
  Thompson, (Eighth Edition, 2008)
• Media Literacy in Schools Practise, production
  and progression, Burn and Durran, 2007.
• Parkside Community Colleges Media page
  http//www.parksidefederation.org.uk/parkside_medi
  a/
• Studying the Media an Introduction, O
  Sullivan, Dutton and Rayner, 1998
• Stills from Romeo and Juliet, Baz Luhrmann, 1996
  
• Examples of in-camera edited films from YouTube
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vEIiaP9g0G-g
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vcHa-zc2DsR4
• Teachers TV programme Teaching Media Media
  Production in the Classroom http//www.teachers.t
  v/video/2553