To start with we had to log and transfer all the files from the camera into our chosen software: Final Cut.
We chose this software because it can manipulate footage and allow to add sound in to a very high quality. After doing this we had to decide which shots were the best ones and sequence them onto the timeline, we do this by inputting "in's" and "out's" on each clip and dragging them into the sequence, this is particularly important for timing for the match on actions.
From studying the shots we have identified several problems:
- Significant camera wobble in the alarm shots, could signify first person narrative of Dave shuffling as he awakens. Or could re-shoot.
- Continuity with the kitchen shot, in that the milk wasn't there and then it suddenly was, though this can be explained by the time lapse between the shots, and omitted events.
- It's too long.
- Lighting changes of different days of filming, this will be less evident due to the dulling filter.
- It is suddenly raining on the shot of Dave entering the office. Maybe re-shoot as just an establishing shot.
And have also identified many things that need doing:
- A filter needs to be placed over the shots.
- The soundtrack needs to be accurate and not contain the crew talking in the background, foley needs to be implemented, as well as ambient noise.
- Credits and ident needs to be created and put in.
- 5:30 it says "FAO Gemma" in the corner. There are also baby pictures in the back. An explanation for this point and the former is that Dave's life is so bad he doesn't even get his own desk.
After sequencing a large proportion of the film, we researched how to go about creating a "video filter", an effect of which we planned to use in our production. We also researched the connotations of colours.
Studying colorology, we found blue to be the least emotionally intact colour, as is states above it is more about intellect "as opposed to emotionally warm colours like red, orange and yellow." so we have decided to use a blue filter over our film, we also think that it should be less saturated so as to make his life appear monotonous and dull. Another idea we discussed was to have a hint of purple, as this is ironic for purples connotation of "royalty", in which Dave wishes he was rich, and this could connote his personality.
We researched how to place a filter in the film:
After putting the filter on we decided to finish sequencing the next day.
Day 2:
There were occasions when we had filmed the same shot a few times just in case and we had to decide which would be the best, this meant watching the shots and trialling them out in the sequence.
After getting the whole film in order we gave it a silent preview (as we hadn't finished the sound) and checked things over, we reconsidered the filter colour and slightly changed the hue so that it was less vivid, we prefer the newer colour as it looks dull and has a grey influence in it.
Day 3:
To make the soundtrack we used software called "Soundtrack Pro".
A high proportion of the sound from the original film has been removed so we can place our own sound in, upon visiting locations we recorded ambience to use in the shots as background noise, and this is what we sequenced in first, making sure every scene that needs it has ambience, and that the transitions are well-timed.
After putting this layer down, we began applying foley to the film, the foley mostly includes typing, walking and sighing, and so by manipulating the automation we created a realistic foley track. Some sounds had to be salvaged from the original as we couldn't find relevant foley for it, and the original is always the most believable. We recorded sighs; phone alarms, and head-butting the table in using our sound recording kit to make it more realistic.
For the outdoor scenes and the house scenes, we went to the appropriate location and recorded ambience shots using the sound recording kit.
Day 4:
Today we edited the shot of the Dave wipe, the hand suddenly comes into shot due to the transition between shots, so we stretched the shot by 120% so the hand was out of shot. We also cut the length of several shots as they dragged on too much.
We made adjustments to the soundtrack by adding a heartbeat sound during the dream sequence as it makes a difference to the clock noise in the office shots, we also make the clock sounder louder in the office so as to emphasise the monotony of his life, the loud clock in the foreground resembles the simple and monotonous rhythm of his life.
Day 5:
As we have nearly finished, all we had to do today was minor adjustments to clip lengths and adjusting the sound so that it matches the film, for example the typing needed to be spliced and moved around to match his keystrokes. We clipped the end off some shots to make the morning scenes quicker as they dragged on too much.
We also created the ident for the film today and added sound to it, then placed it into the film.
