Module 4: Visual Composition (Production and Post-Production)

Reading and Writing:

Use establishing shots when possible when switching to new scenes and cuts, and keep the camera still unless there’s a reason to move it. Use camera moves that ease in and ease out. If you desire a more dramatic effect, do the antithesis of what was previously described. One way to set up structure for a series of shots is to do a paper edit, which is when you take physical images from the shots you have and organize them into what could be assigned a cohesive script. Establish the world of the project to viewers, and re-establish the environment frequently. Look for preexisting basic sequences within the filming, or create your own if possible. Each new shot should be clearly different, but the only reasons you should be changing shots should be to better communicate your message, or to keep viewers’ interest. Stay with a shot for as long as it is effective, and anticipate your target audience’s attention span. To give something greater importance, show it for longer periods of time and more often. If you’re presenting new or complicated information, cut slower. To increase tension, cut faster than expected, use unusually framed shots, cut to unexpected shots, and use jump cuts. Synchronize the amount of tension you inject with the rising and falling of your viewers’ interest. Regarding transition effects, use them sparingly, and unless the effects used have a purpose in themselves, only use them to indicate a change. Editing for the most part should be transparent and not noticed. When editing dialogue, utilize L-Cuts or reverse L-Cuts to keep interest in watching your subjects talk. Finally, background music is most effective when it is neither noticed nor remembered by your viewers.

Research To Inspire:

The following four clips are from two different episodes of the TV series Bojack Horseman. The reason I selected these is I really feel the sound editing embodies the idea of it having a dramatic effect on mood and interpretation of the scenes without being super noticeable and memorable. Admittedly I know and am a big fan of the song used for Clip #1 (It being parts of Blood In The Cut by K.Flay), but I feel knowing the song as well as I do allows me greater insight on how the choice works so well, as I know the lyrics that surround the instrumentals utilized in this scene. The show version of the song actually uses the instrumentals mostly in order they appear in the original song, and the intensity tends to increase when Bojack’s mental state worsens, specifically the inclusion of the high pitched effects when he begins thinking about his mother turning Hollyhock against him and his own mortality more seriously respectively.

In regards to the three other clips, all from the same episode, the addition of quiet film reel I feel reinforces the imagery and symbolism of Diane attempting to explore her past. I also see that the animation becoming much less fluid than it already is (the type of show its meant to visually embody usually already does not have a very fluid art style) further adds to the tension and unease, and the constant use of transition animations to move between scenes. The echoes also going away from the vocals when Ivy appears is a fantastic touch to help ground the audience as Diane becomes more grounded as well. Finally, I feel that the music becoming more traditional in structure and instrumentation, as well as somewhat louder, is another phenomenal sound editing choice.

Creation: