Rough cut sound

Rough cut.
So today we completed a rough cut of our sense of space
audio project.
As on overall view, we are definitely heading in appositive direction.
The plans that we have made are materialising as we hoped in Sound cut pro.
The time ad effort that went into recording the sounds had paid
off, as we have an extensive library into which we can dip to find the right
sound effect for the moment. Therefore we are not struggling when it comes to
creating a decent amount of sound in the project.
So far the successes I think are a strong idea first and foremost.
I think that due to this it has made editing a whole lot easier. The planning
that we did, writing the script and making lists of the sounds we would need to
go along with these has meant that putting everything together has been not straightforward
exactly but easier as we have planned it intensively.
I think the edit so far in terms of a sense of space is
still lacking. It does feel a little empty at this point. There are the sound
effects to back up what is being said but it is not giving a ‘sense’ of the
space in side Abby’s mind or the places she has been in her life. There is
still too much silence, it’s too thin. It
is important that we put in more Atmos. So far we only have two layers of
sound; spoke word and the sound effect to match what being said. I think we
need to put in a lot more, adding layers making a more complex layering of
sounds. This will create a bigger and broader sense of the six different spaces
we are trying to create.
It also needs to be more concise, there is a treat that it
could become very messy. I think one of the major challenges in the final edit
will be creating the fine balance between having a deep complex and effective
use of sounds and just a mess of noise and speech with no definable structure.
I think one way we can go about this is by having one ‘base’
sound for easy scene, which will ground the whole thing. It’ll help tell the
little story of each part and as a whole it will give the piece a greater
ambiance.
The piece is the right length and I feel it is divided in a
way that fits the theme. It is divided into sections, in away in which a life
span is. This then reflects the sense that we want to create. This sense is the
idea of a passing life, told in memories. So we have the sense of being inside someone’s
head, inside their memories. Then we have the little spaces we are trying to
create within the mind, the little memories, so they have atmosphere and
meaning.

Rough Edit!
Right so we’ve got a rough edit done. It is in no sense of
the word perfect but it’s a start.
I think that the pace is one of its biggest downfalls, it’s
very inconsistent and distracts the audience from the film. For us, the pace is
actually very important as we want to create a sense of a build up and a crescendo
in the film. As it moves from the tourist view of the village too the one steeped
in mysticism. Also it will help to
create drama in the piece. The thing with the pace is that the film is very
jumpy anyways so the challenge will be is t make it flowing enough to be
watchable and still jumpy enough to create a sense of unease.
Another aspect that needs t be polished is the idea that
there are two halves in the film, there are two different worlds encroaching in
each other. In order to show this the most basic out line is that we have ‘tourist
Edale’, then a turning point, then ‘witch Edale’. We have decided that the best
shot for a turning point is a shot of the nettles. This idea is taking shape in
the rough edit yet it needs a lot of fine tuning.
One thing about the rough edit is that it moves around quite
a lot there is does not stick to the outline that we initially planned. In
other words it does at points feel like a random collection of shots. This is
there fore something we must address in the final edit.
Another problem that we have highlighted is that it does
seem a little boring at points. Especially in the second half it is simply shot
after shot of apparent ‘witchy things’.
To address this we are going to put in flashes of each world in the
other. This will create the idea that they are encroaching on each other.
I found the edit tutorial really helpful. Not only does it
help to get an outside perspective but to hear a tutor’s opinion on the working
process before the final presentation relieves the pressure slightly. It allows
you to take a step back and critically evaluate your work before the final
presentation. This was invaluable for Poppy and I as it highlighted these issues.
We had some idea of its downfalls but having them pointed out really helped us
identify and sort them out. Another thing that was helpful about the tutorial
was hearing an audience point of view. It was clear we had not met our
intentions completely in conveying the theme but we are getting there.
One thing I will say about the film even at this stage is
that I think it has a really strong theme and because of this I think the film
is made more effective. The idea of having two different worlds competing with
each other in the context of this village. This paint a certain image of this
place, we’re not trying to portray a battle ground but show what can be going
on underneath the surface and the atmosphere of tension that this creates.
So, to conclude, yes the film has a long way to go in terms
of editing but is heading along the right path. We have a strong thematic
element that will help us as we create the fine cut.