Arturs Reinholds: VIDEO

Showing posts with label VIDEO. Show all posts

1st Project me and Ivan is cooperating - "Gosha"

Locations

1. At home - Buying drugs, preparing drugs for swallowing, sniffing.
2. At Jakes House (Summer garden house) - Swallowing and waiting for the flight
3. Airport - Still in progress
4. Ambulance - inside of the car (bed)

Splitting responsibilities

We have found a very good way to work together. We try to stay in our qualities. Pre-production is one of the stages where we both work together, risk assessments, permissions and contacting actors. While Ivan is writing and directing, I am responsible for light, camera, and post-production.

We have done some test shots at home to see if our idea can possibly work out. We are filming in flat a colour profile with FujiFilm X-T2 (4K camera) and Nikon D5100. This year I am learning new ways of colour grading. Flat colours will be more flexible for the final edit. I am watching videos on Lynda.com and Youtube.com how to create and work with LUTs (Look up tables).

Stepping up with LUTs I can now choose my own colour scheme and use it in any footage we will film. I am creating individual LUTs for each scene.

LUT's I made are done separately for each video clip. I tried to look up is there a simple description what the LUT colour grading means in simple terms. What I figured out - Look up tables actually explains themselves. In an extreme way, I could tell the camera to see all blues as green colour. Each colour has its colour code or address in a table. Each colour code is captured by the camera sensor. Applying LUT basically means to change colour code to a different one. There are two different LUT systems - 1D which I see as a point system and 3D which uses curves and regenerated colour palette.
I am exporting certain frames in .TIFF to manipulate more colour information. Using still image I redo colour coordination. When that is done, divide all adjustments from the still image and export in .Cube (LUT format). Import the LUT into Adobe Premiere Pro and apply on the video clip it was made for.

It took me time to learn all of it, but once you know it, it saves a lot of time in post-production.
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Next bit is about my workspace. Quicker editing and improving quality.
As I said, I want to use my last year in university to prepare myself for the industry. So I learned a new programming language (.INI). This language lets me code peripheral devices (anything that is plugged into the computer, like a keyboard).

Many editors spend a lot of time going through navigation panels to find the right tools or adjust something, it takes a lot of time. There is a solution like Tangen Ripple or DaVinci Resolve Controllers, but they cost 2000 pounds and more.

Basically what these controllers do - Each button or slider works as a shortcut for certain actions. One button can apply colour adjustment layer, edit sound levels or buttons can be assigned to certain colour channels. Editors do not have to go all panels through to find colour editing tools or transformation tools. Everything is on one controller - physical buttons.

It is also really hard to always remember long shortcuts like CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+R to start 3D rendering.

I know that there are keyboards with macro keys (MACRO KEYS - shortcut buttons that can be customized for certain actions). My main keyboard has 6 macro keys. But it is not enough to apply all necessary tools.

Windows do not understand if there is another keyboard plugged in. It will register both keyboard keys as one. So I cannot assign keys to my own shortcuts.

I looked up online and I found a forum (Flight Simulator) where people assign 2nd keyboard for gaming. They use a separate keyboard to assign keys for radio, distance, altitude, temperature and other controls that are not easy to access while you are flying a plane. They use .INI code to program the second keyboard as a new device.

So first I coded my second keyboard. the script basically divided both keyboards and I can assign hotkeys to one.

After that, I am writing a code for Adobe Premiere Pro. I am still in the process, but it looks promising. When it will be done, I will have 141 extra hotkeys to play with. Technically I can assign new keyboards as much as I have USB ports. I can have an individual keyboard for each software and ease my workflow.

In the end I am also saving a lot of many as well.

Don't push your weaknesses, play with your strengths (Jennifer Lopez)

At first, I wanted to find myself in other areas, like directing or script writing. I tried to push myself in directions I have not done before and therefore I struggled for weeks coming up with my first idea (hacker short-film). After class presentations, I thought once more what do I really want to achieve with my portfolio and where I want to end up.

It is the last year of university and I need a good portfolio in order to get the job I want. I would like to work in a team where I am responsible for visuals. I want to push myself to the limits, proving directors that what is written on a paper can be achieved easily. I am gaining knowledge of new gear, new editing software, and filming techniques as much as I can. I'm going to realize the visions of film directors to the last detail. For industry, I want to improve the way how the story has been told. If the story is developed and presented in a better quality using creative ways that have not been seen before it can reach a lot more people and spread the story further. So because of me, the story can be told better.

Teamed up with Ivan.
The journey starts here...

As I explained in the previous post I changed my project's idea and collaborate with Ivan Uzunov. His theme was couple relationships and therefore his idea played around wedding scenes.

White Wedding

White Wedding’s inspiration comes from marriages, and all the difficulties they carry. The video is set during the breaking moment of the couple, whom lack affection and caress for each other resulting in the birth of pure evil.

White Wedding is a music video based around a broken love story, with a ‘dark comedy’ gist. It follows December and June a recently wed couple, they quickly realize their relationship is deteriorating over small arguments. Growing distant they chase each other throughout the corridors of the decaying mansion they once called a happy home. The chase sequence is created in cinematic montages for an opportunity to capture the decaying beauty of the old manor along with December/June’s outfits. As the video extends both June and December become increasingly rough and hateful to one another; it is then June gives birth to a pile of guts (evil) rather than the beautiful baby they once wanted, in return for their aggression, violence and repulsiveness to one another.

“The greatest evil is physical pain.” – Saint Augustine

I told my thoughts and we went in different ways of an emotional show. How it should be represented, what kind of song we should use and so on.

Inspiration

I kept in mind these videos while shooting, tried to express similar look.

MUSIC

This was a bit problematic, but I think I did it right.

Trust-BulbForm - we chose this song because of the mood. It contains many audio overlays I was cutting in post. All cuts blended together using the same rhythm and I think I did well.

Set Location

Back in summer of 2016; I and Ivan went to a couple of ruins and abandoned buildings- Ivan went back to the synopsis and figured it out; dying relationship, lack of love, anger, fear, and havoc. Ivan wanted a distressed looking building with torn down walls and dark corridors, something that was once beautiful in relation to June and December's love. He revisited BULL MANOR in Slough and called the number on the plantation post; We got in contact with the Site Manager Kevin and asked for permission and actually got his approval as long as we were accompanied by a member of Vividline (Daniel Holland) Ivan promised him a copy of the film. We had to shoot immediately, as we only got signed off a day before the shoot. Below are some images Ivan took of the location and permission approval.

We had the permission and then I started my part in a different role. Production... I was writing risk assessment and I was in charge of the project folders.

While Ivan was doing storyboarding, directing and script writing I had my positions as a cameraman, editor, and part as a creator of production pack.

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Filming

Gear

We used fully only our personal gear. Fujifilm X-T2, which was used for 4k and FHD slow-motion videos. For this camera, we used wide angle 12mm 2.0 lens.Another was DSLR Nikon D5200 with Sigma Art 50mm 1.4 lens. Velbon fluid-head tripod. Flycam-Nano stabilisation system and LED portable lights. We used walkie-talkies for better communication through the house.

Techniques

Because of Fujifilm x-t2 capabilities in low-light, I was shooting video even using 8000 ISO without any noise. For moving shots I used 4K option so I could stabilize the footage in post. We tried to use fluid movement, so all shots look more cinematic and more immersive in this scary house. We also used post-production dolly zoom, It made the effect called "Parallax".

Editing

Gear

For editing, I used my custom built PC (WIN 10). i7 3.4 GHz; RAM: 24GB; SSD 128GB; HDD 2TB; GPU 4GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 770. As my monitor, I used Dell U2412M IPS. My sound was monitored on MicroLab Studio 6c speaker set.

Software

I used Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premiere.

Techniques

I used post production layer masks, different sound merge tools. I used digital parallax effect technique which took me about 4 hours to learn. I was using many subsequences and pre-compositions. Premiere compositions were working all the time together with After Effects and Photoshop.

Fujifilm X-T2 allowed us to film in flat image profile. Retouching and color edit was easier then ever before. I used colour look up table to set the colour gamma at first. It was easy to pull out the details from dark areas and highlights from overexposed shots.

Facing problems

Because of linked media, pre-compositions in After Effects and some layers that were interactive with photoshop I faced problems exporting the clip. It took ages even on a powerful computer. It did not render out the visuals on the first go. On the second something was wrong with the audio. Only on the third go, we were completely done.

Okay...
I got the dancer two weeks ago. Replied to all questions and had a tutorial with Rosie. Because my initial idea has to be filmed using a fully able-bodied dancer we had some problems representing disability. Ethics and emotional feelings may be touched of someone who is actually a disabled dancer. Therefore I thought about messaging Stopgap community. I emailed 3 times and no response. It is the week before dissertation proposal should be submitted.

I finally got the email back. There is no reason to stop me film this idea... BUT - I have run out of time and I have to find a new way to finish this project.

I was helping Ivan with his project, I promised to be his camera operator. He offered me to collaborate and I agreed with a smile. I took over camera operator and editor role.

In the same time, I kindly said no to all dancers I had for my dance video idea...

White Wedding

White Wedding’s inspiration comes from marriages, and all the difficulties they carry. The video is set during the breaking moment of the couple, who lack affection and caress for each other resulting in the birth of pure evil.
White Wedding is a music video based on a broken love story, with a ‘dark comedy’ gist. It follows December and June a recently wed couple, they quickly realize their relationship is deteriorating over small arguments. Growing distant they chase each other throughout the corridors of the decaying mansion they once called a happy home. The chase sequence is created in cinematic montages for an opportunity to capture the decaying beauty of the old manor along with December/June’s outfits. As the video extends both June and December become increasingly rough and hateful to one another; it is then June gives birth to a pile of guts (evil) rather than the beautiful baby they once wanted, in return for their aggression, violence, and repulsiveness to one another.
“The greatest evil is physical pain.” – Saint Augustine

The Wolf of Wall Street
Intro

"+"

I learned Adobe Illustrator Basics using Lynda.com ( 17.5 Hours )
I learned how to make 2D photographed room into 3D space
I learned how to control animation speed
I learned how to make original transition using only layers
I learned how to work effectively with compositions
I was able to refresh my knowledge working with Audition
I liked the whole workshop in total

"-"

I did not enjoy the workflow on Illustrator at the beginning
I gained weight sitting long hours at the computer

I am happy about my animation bearing in mind the time we had. I would definitely look up more for Cinema 4D usage in After Effects, I would like to make nicer shapes and drawings in illustrator. I am very happy with the result and I think I put a lot of time and effort to bring it up in a level the video is.

The Wolf of Wall Street

It is a 2013 American biographical black comedy crime film directed by Martin Scorsese. The screenplay by Terence Winter is adapted from the memoir of the same name by Jordan Belfort and recounts Belfort's perspective on his career as a stockbroker in New York City and how his firm Stratton Oakmont engaged in rampant corruption and fraud on Wall Street that ultimately led to his downfall.

Here I was, sitting at the desk and drawing circles around this title. I did not know where to start and I basically did a brainstorm. Draw things that I could relate to this film. I watched a documentary about the real wolf of Wall street who has represented in this adventure movie.

Okay...
I was ready to draw all props in illustrator... BUT
before that, I promised myself to find music. A soundtrack that works together with the time when these events that are represented in a film happened.

I chose
The Dead Weather - Hang You From the Heavens
But that was not it. It has a lot of lyrics and parts that were very repetitive, so I put the audio in Adobe Audition and cut it in pieces. I also add some effects on drums and edit the transitions...
I worked on levels and on stereo channels to make the video more immersive.

I actually went back time to time while I was editing the actual animation. I wanted some bits longer and some bits shorter, therefore I worked on both programs at the same time.

Next part was doing all illustrations.
I started with a bus. That's how the film starts with a young guy in an NYC bus looking for better life.

My inspiration comes from intros
Catch Me if You Can Opening Title Sequence

I liked the simple look and use of colour.
I loved the transitions the most, they are very clever and you cannot predict the next one.

Next - title sequence of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Position all layer in 3D space using After Effects was not challenging, I did it once with a bus and everything else was just natural. I got use to the points and axes very quickly.

I used some silhouettes of buildings to represent big city

All animations I keyed to change the speed more realistic.

Here I am changing speed for bus animation and camera

Many moving layers. starting from a wheel to the whole city.

I animated in a rhythm of the soundtrack. I like pop-up texts and seamless transitions for animation. I liked bright colors and very simple backgrounds. I used a lot of compositions, so the actual project contains 2D and 3D compositions. Some were moving, some were just stills moved by keyframes.

TITLES
I wanted very simple and visible font. I did large scale letters to be readable in time they are on the screen. Each title was replayed many times to make sure that it has on the screen for long time enough, but at the same time not for too long time. I find very annoying if titles are too long on the screen. I like that it is possible to read the text and still appreciate the animation.

I very liked the process of keyframing the camera angles. I have to say that the longest process in the whole project was the illustrator. I spent around 10 hours learning it and about the same time to make all shapes you can see in the next blog post.

How did my workshops start?

I believe that I was one of the last students who started work around the actual work. I did not waste my time, I simply explored as much as I could in this software I was using. I did motion tracking, 3D layers, Adobe Photoshop 2D file making into a 3D model. I learned Illustrator and add layers into After Effects. I used colour techniques, I also explored particle world effects and many text effects. I learned After Effects inside out before I took my mind around this project.

We were given a lot of technical stuff around this project, what possibilities we do have and what kind of video we can use.

CineStock by Mitch Martinez
Free 4K UltraHD Stock footage shot on RED Epic - Brought to you by Mitch Martinez
https://vimeo.com/cinestock

For Green Screen

FX - Keylight

pick the background colour

[view] - screen matte

clip black around 25

Philip explained us and showed examples of shape and text animations.

I did some techniques and push myself to do some actual tests:

Here is also things from class, what I was trying to achieve and explore from "0"

I really like the idea of moving shapes in 3D environment. THERE WAS A PROBLEM. The image software what I know very good is Adobe Photoshop. But it uses only raster graphics. I needed to learn Adobe Illustrator to work with vector graphics. The reason why, when you move raster graphics too close (zoom in) you can see pixels. Vector graphics uses only shapes which have coordinates and you can zoom edges no matter how many times.

I used UCA provided free membership for Lynda.com
I watched like a half of 17 hour and 30minutes tutorial for illustrator. It was very good and everything was explained step by step.

Now I did know how to make shape layers, different paths and actual drawings quick and neat.
I spent hours just trying. It actually is not as simple as it looks. these shapes have to been drawn on an artboard which contains specific picas and points.

It was difficult for me because I am only used to do digital graphic design on Adobe Photoshop.

After this creative work, I decided to get the brief. I chose the film "The Wolf of Wall Street". Read more in the next blog post.

Special Effects in the film industry is something that actually pulled me into this course.

I have always wanted to do some computer animated effects. I decided to go with DFSA because it included special effects and different computer-generated installation. When I was a little kid I was always amazed by all these animations, they had never been drawn on a paper. they were generated by a computer. Even now I am still amazed by this film area. I love the fact how special effects have been developed adding physics and very complicated maths to make artificial look almost real. I like the beauty of CGI that immerses the audience in this fake reality.

Adobe After Effects

This is one of the most interesting Softwares I have been using in video making. Philip thought many new things in the 1st year of DFSA. We were given basics for text animation, video digital stabilization, mapping, rotoscoping, masking and layering using different layer modes.

It was very bizarre at first but I had a huge interest in this. I fall in love with this fake reality that I can merge together with real life footage.

In my opinion, After Effects is a tool to make you vision and put something of your dreams. It is a tool that fully gives you the potential to change the reality, given material. I believe at one point I can achieve a level where it is hard to tell what is real and what is not. That's what I like about VFX. A power over others. To make them believe something that actually is not there. It makes me think that Special Effects is something very close to a chance of sharing dreams. It is my creativity, right? I can share my vision even if it is not possible in real life and represent it on a screen.

SOFTWARE

Adobe After Effects itself left my mind in a mess. I had basics... But it is a tool that can do way more than just text animations following an object in the video. The second year is the year where I actually explored it very indeed.

I got my mind around it, there are few bugs, but there are always an option to do it in a different way. I like AE, because it lets us think. there is not only one way of doing things, even technically there are many options to achieve the look you want.

To look for possible dancers I contacted some on Facebook directly. It was not very successful but at least I got one candidate. I also posted advertisement on 3 different websites...

In one week 5 dancers respond to my idea.

They sent me showreels, CV's and short descriptions about themselves.

I keep in touch with all dancers and answer to all questions they are sending me.

The Story

This idea now was a result of two main parts.

Technical Part

Attached strings

Given dream world

The Story

Disability and exploration

Finding a way around limits

I got a plan:

PUPPET THEATER- The Story Behind Unknown Dreams (The Artists has to keep in mind to move in a dream scene like a puppet. There might be someone else who may manipulate the dancer, i.e. move their legs, knees, and arms so they understand what it feels like)

The actor will be filmed in two different environments. First, an apartment, second the green screen studio which will be made in the post as an endless space (Dream). During the edit, there will be CGI involved, geometric lines and shapes will reflect and interact with the motion.

1. The actor/actress prepares his or her work space. He or she finds sewing kit, puppets, strings, a bit of paint and some glue.
2. The doll is attached to these strings. The actor/actress paints some new facial expressions and cleans the puppet. Then starts to play around with it.
3. At this point, the artist falls into a dream…
4. He or She is in an endless space. The puppet is on the floor, slowly standing up and paying a lot of attention to leg movements.
5. Movements are slow and gentle, nothing much with legs, mostly arm movements.
6. The dance becomes active, very strong leg movements, wide and fast.
7. At one point it becomes so energetic and precise.
8. But… Soon he or she runs out of energy, especially legs. Slowly sits down and still moving arms.
9. Filming face and it morphs from the dream to an apartment.
10. Next shot – Slides out from his or her work space with a marionette on the desk.The camera reveals the reality, the dancer who was in the dream is disabled, sitting in a wheelchair and repairing marionette.

Basically, the story is built around memories. The dancer who once was able to do much more than right now is sitting in a wheelchair repairing a puppet.

Marionettist

Dance Short Film By Arturs Reinholds

1 INT. MARIONETTIST’S HOUSE. DAY

Very cozy house and a desk in the middle of the longest wall. Sunlight is falling on one side of the desk revealing dust and many strings on it. there is a water glass, a watch, different fabrics, strings, measurement tape, pencils, a paper knife, a notebook, a newspaper, an ink, old desk lamp, few nails, black and brown paint, tissues, scissors, a magnifying glass, sewing kit, and glasses.

(You can hear noise in the background - In another room, pencils drop and a metal bowl hits the floor.)

a camera is shooting close-ups only.

Men’s hands are putting a puppet on the desk. It is a bit scratched. He reaches after few pieces of fabric. He compares different textures for this new puppet. He takes some measurements and writes that down on the paper. His face is very focused and serious.

HE THINKS OF SOMETHING

2 INT. ENDLESS SPACE - THE DREAM. NIGHT

The puppet is on the floor, slowly leaning up and paying a lot of attention to movements. Movements are slow and gentle, nothing much with legs, mostly arm movements. From that position, uncurl, from head, arms, then legs, reaching out for something. Movements will increase, larger movements, legs kick, jump. (Imagine the puppet/marionette is being pulled at its extreme) The dance becomes active, very strong leg movements, wide and fast. Soon he runs out of energy, especially legs. Slowly sits down and still moving arms.

FILMS A FACE AND IT MORPHS FROM THE DREAM TO AN APARTMENT.

3 INT. MARIONETTIST’S HOUSE. DAY

His face is sad. The puppet is dressed, all strings attached and ready for a show.

A CAMERA SLIDES FROM THE SHOULDER AND REVEALS THAT THE MARIONETTIST IS SITTING IN A WHEELCHAIR

First days I spent on the thing I usually do before any edit. I sort out my files, so everything is renamed, commented and labeled. After I did file management I easily got on the track. synchronized the sound, and put clips one by another, comparing which take is the best.

Later on, I did all transitions, tried to pan and tilt digitally as well. some shots ar stabilized. There is also time warped video clips.

Colour grading was challenging. I faded them and gave them more dreamy look. I tried to keep an eye on histogram and RGB bars. At the end I added letterbox.

When all scenes were finished, I did all exporting rules step by step. Colour bars, tone, and a clock. as the last thing, I left credits.

It all started with only one photo...

Photograph by Hannah Starkey – Untitled 1997

A photo, which is very simple, but in the same time - very beautiful. A young lady holding a butterfly by the wing.

We had this image as an inspiration to make a 3-5 min long film. It was a process with many obstacles and challenges. First, the idea to make sense and still relate to the picture above. I think we had many opinions in the group how far to pull the idea. Romantic, sci-fi, action maybe comedy genre. My group had different main ideas, different thoughts about the ways of all ideas.

The film was filmed in two days. Files were saved on few hard drives to make sure, everything will be safe and nothing is going to be lost. Later on, I was in charge to deliver all visual files on the server with Victoria's help. That's so far about the process before the edit.

Have I changed thoughts about Avid since the first post?

I think it is very important how experienced you are before looking on new editing software. I mentioned AVID experience before on one of the first "Studio Shoot" posts. I would say it is very complicated editing software, it took me time to figure out how the tools are called. They are very different from other companies.

My first "VIDEO EDITING" experience I gained when I was 16. It was Sony Vegas Pro.

I remember it very as very complicated, futuristic and professional tool for videos. My friends were using programs called Movie Maker and iMovie and felt good using something much more advanced. I learned basics of video editing. Dual cameras, layering, 3D texts, stabilisations, cropping, panning, tilting, blending, key-framing clips and volume. I really thought it is something amazing...

Then I got in Adobe Premiere. A completely new world for me. I am not gonna lie - Using Premiere for about 1 month and coming back to Vegas Pro was horrible. I could not believe I was able to edit on Sony Vegas Pro before, it looked so cheap and there was nothing to use for professional editing. Using Premiere for about year I needed to step up more. So I began to learn how to use Adobe After Effects. Seriously, I did not learn it properly till I met Phil in UCA.

The second year in university, still using Adobe sweets.

"Avid? Industry Standart, hah? Yeaaaa, right... what even is that???"

Opening Avid was like going back to 90ies, but I guess it was only because of the light gray interface. The learning process was very complicated. I would say it was because of how the things were called. I was used to Sony Vegas Pro and Adobe Premiere tool names. It was almost like learning a new language. You have to go through all so you know what the tools actually do and what Avid meant to mean with these names. For example, under effects, there is a tool panel like Illusion FX and without clicking on it I have no idea what even that means, is there 3D effects, maybe transition effects for the text or just textures...

Anyways, figuring out basic tools and trying to edit some sample files I had a bit of taste how it works. To be honest, I have to say I really hated it. I mentioned in the previous post about AVID that I can see how it is good in the industry. It is amazing with transcoding and transferring data from one computer to many others. In my opinion, Avid Media Composer is used for many huge films just because of the workspace. Many editors can work on one film without interrupting others.

Bearing that in mind I would not use Avid for my own small projects, short films or music videos. It is a pro tool for crews and TV industry.

---------------------- The Edit ----------------------

I often face a situation when something goes wrong in the most important moment. The first day of edit - Arturs is at home ill boiling in the bed with 38-degree temperature... How nice is that...

I knew I have to catch up with others in next Monday. Victoria helped me to import all the footage and at that point, everything was a mess...

A mess... where to start from? There I was, sitting on a red seat in front of 3 monitors.

Quickly I looked for a script. I watched every single video and listen to all sound files, wrote a note to each file, which scene, which slate and which take it is. The first day was basically defining files. I organized bins and files. replaced them. On the end of the day I had:

"Day 1" - All videos from the first day [ Renamed - repositioned in order]

"Day 2" - All videos from the second day [ Renamed - repositioned in order ]

"Audio" - Folio sounds

"Audio 2" - Tascam / boom mic records [ Renamed for each take]

...and nothing on the timeline yet.

I don't what exactly but I like a lot more how you can manage your files in Avid Media Composer than in any other video editing software.

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I said the software looked like from 90ies because of the interface so I looked up how to change that, setting > interface and made it darker. It looked more like "Premiere". I think bright interface just takes my attention where I don't need it. In a dark one, nothing else interrupts me. Maybe it is just in my mind, but generally, I felt a lot better and more focused on the whole editing process.

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Putting files on the timeline...

At the first glance, I had no confidence about what I am doing. I began with the 1st scene, put some in and out points, dropped on the timeline and did some synchronizing with a sound together. After 2 hours of an edit, I realized that I have to make more sense of my edit. Am I going for sad mood? Am I going for an experimental film?

I looked through and some of the files did not make sense to me. There was one missing scene, which needed to be simulated by another hospital scene, I thought, it will be too obvious. I missed already one day being ill and I was in a bit stressful situation.

Over sudden, I did not like the idea of the clock. I took that away and use another method of editing. I am not sure who said that but it keeps repeating in my mind, the film must look good even without the sound.

I wanted to keep nowaday look, a bit futuristic, so I kept hospital scenes where the doctor passes them an iPad to show the results, I liked the fact how things have been changed over the time.

...THE STORY...

Things have changed and they will change more over the years. "Exhale, My Love" in my interpretation is twisted a little bit. Watching the footage I realize how cold are they without speaking to each other. It is not the script that makes like that, but the environment and their behaviors that make the mood. I loved the fact how everything in my film is pretty quiet and moody.

At the very beginning, Elliot starts coughing and they appear in a doctor's office. Bella and he are very worried about the news, the possibility of cancer. On the first evening, she tries to cheer him up with a campaign. He starts coughing again, Bella calls an ambulance. New results show that he has a lung cancer. These results are serious and Bella cannot take that. She leaves him at the dinner. Next day, Elliot listens to a soundtrack. He remembers moments in winter, Bella smiling, singing to him. Bella hears the music, she comes to the room and leans on the wall. Elliot realizes that and helps her to stand up. He pulls her closer to the body and starts dancing. They both know that Elliot has to go soon. They cannot be together for long. Elliot inhales to say last words to Ella.

All that together.... and I was editing my "Final Edit" sequence.

I cut the clips without any sound and put on the timeline. I got used to tools that are on the left side of the timeline. Selecting single, selecting groups, deselect certain files or track, drag them, change them on the timeline. All tools are very different from Adobe.

Colour correction. I did curves and basic contrast, brightness adjustments. Different scenes I used different filters. The light was not the same so used contrast and brightness as well. Later on, I offset my film using all four RGB curves and import a letterbox. When I had my letterbox on I had an option to move static files digitally. I tilt few static shots so there is a slight movement. Another reason for the letterbox - I have always the feeling that can't see all information if the image or video file is closer to the ratio 1:1 (square). I think - because how our eyes are positioned we need to have a square for each eye. That would be like 1:2. I feel like 16:9 is not really what I want to focus on. when the file has this frame around I am focusing more on the picture where the operator wants me to look at.

For tablet shots I used pan, tilt, resize and rotation tool to zoom out. I changed keyframe style as well so it is not so linear, but is very smooth and nice. One of the following shots I used stabilization FX. For Elliots dream scene, where Bella is in the snow, I used film grain illusion FX, I used frame morph so frames blend in next to each other. For particular shots, I used also glow effect.

The sound was difficult for me at first. Although I had everything neatly organized I had issues with synchronizing sounds. In like 4 hour time I got my way around and everything was in time. I keyframed volume and blended sounds together. I used bensound.com to download a music file "Sad Day".

Credits were easy and especially rolling ones. I think Avid has thought about this part. The title sequence was very easy to work out. I liked the process of it.

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I think I gained a lot of new experience working with Avid Media Composer. Not only that but also working in a team made me more prepared for other shoots...

In my opinion, there is only ONE THING I would like to change during the studio shoot. What I saw, I didn't like how my teammates were worried about things on the side. I think the major issue was that the wasted time on planning. I think everything is amazing if you can see how everyone know his role. I studied my role through and I know exactly where I have to be, when I have to shoot, who I have to listen to, who I can ask for help and so on. If you know your role inside out there should not be any misunderstanding and everything should go fluently.

I enjoyed my group and I am happy that I learned new software just in few weeks.

Gosha

Locations

Splitting responsibilities

Changing My Decision - Focusing on My Strengths