The Editing Process

Last media lesson was spent editing the final process of our preliminary exercise.

The Editing and Final Cut Pro

We worked using Final Cut Pro, a professional and powerful editing software that has all the effects and factors we need to edit a good preliminary exercise.

Previously to this lesson we had looked at the simple parts of Final Cut Pro and how to use it effectively. We learnt how to add titles which helped us when we edited our actual preliminary exercise in which we used titles and credits. We also learnt how to use simple tools such as the knife which allows us to cut clips in specific places to cut out parts that we no longer want and need. We also learnt about the timebars in which we place the clips as well as cutting them from that specific area and finally we learnt about the windows we use to edit and view the clips in.

The first thing we needed to do was plug the camera into the computer to transfer all the clips to the computer. We used IMovie HD to capture the clips as it cuts them into sections instead of putting the clips in one large clips which is what would happen if we captured straight into Final Cut Pro. This took a bit of time to do as the camera was transferring significantly slowly for some reason but we finally managed to do it in the end.

My main job was editor so I took it into my hands to edit the final piece. I started off by moving all the clips from IMovie HD to Final Cut Pro and then looking for the correct clips I needed for the final edited piece. As I started previously, we filmed the exercise three times so I had to skim through all of the clips that we had to find the correct filming we had done. Once I had done that I begun to place the clips in the timeline. This was quite a simple task as I have previously done the Creative and Media Diploma so I am quite used to placing clips in Final Cut Pro as well as using effects and cutting them.

Technology and the Camera

Whilst we were using the camera, we learnt a lot about it and its technology. We especially learnt the importance of having all the correct equipment as the absense of the mic and boom caused a number of major problems. In future, I have to remember to have all equipment ready and able: the mic, the boom, the camera itself, the tape, the battery, the tripod and the headphones to make an effective video. I also learnt the importance of testing the camera to make sure everything works before I start filming just to make sure that silly things like the lens cap aren't still on or to check to see if the sound doesn't work entirely.

The shots we used

The first shot we used in our preliminary exercise was a point of view shot of one of the characters, Jessie, played by me walking through the door and greeting Bob, played by Niel. This gives a dramatic effect to the scene and makes the audience fell that they are the character which makes it seem as if they have the same fear that Jessie has as she goes to have her interview to decide her future job.

The second shot we used was an over the shoulder shot directed from my shoulder and looking at Niel. We used this as our shot-reverse shot as we switched from my shoulder over to Niel's shoulder continuously. This was effective as it gives a dramatic effect and allows both characters to be on camera but from a more interesting perspective.


We also has another over the shoulder shot, this time over Niel's shoulder and directing the camera at me. This was an example of using the 180-degree rule as we made sure that the camera was over opposite shoulders whilst filming to ensure that we didn't break it.


This was a long two shot of both me and Niel sitting opposite to each other and exchanging a couple of words. This is a good shot to use as you can again see both characters but this time they look parallel to each other which looks good on camera, especially if one character is shorter than the other and in this case, they were.


We then zoomed in on me and Niel shaking hands which we had previously also done in the long two shot. This was to enhance and emphasise the effect of the handshake.


We then had a long shot of Zainab, playing a random person walking around the corner. This was the beginning of using match on action.


The final shot was a wide shot that shows me walking down the same corridor that we just saw Zainab walk around the corner to. This is an example of match on action as it showed both me and Zainab in different places but still keeping to the film rules.

The Tools

This is an example of the timeline with all of our clips placed in it including the titles and credits. We had to drag clips and cut them to the correct length in the timeline and then finally put them together to make the final piece.


This is all the clips that we filmed and how they were presented in Final Cut Pro. We had to select the correct clips from here and then drag them into the timeline to edit the final video.

This is the toolbar that had all of the tools that we were to use. The only tools I used were the mouse tool which I used to click and drag clips and the knife tool which I used to split and cut clips up.