Video & Sound Production Task 1: Audio Editing Exercise

22.4.2024 - 13.5.2024 ( Week 1 - Week 4)

Lew Guo Ying / 0365721 / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media

Video & Sound Production

Task 1: Audio Editing Exercise

Jump Link

1. Lectures

2. Instructions
2.1 Week 1
2.2 Week 2
2.3 Week 3
2.4 Week 4
2.5 Project 1a: Audio Dubbing
2.6 Project 1b: Audio Editing

3. Reflections

Lectures

Week 1:

Mr. Martin provided a concise overview of module video and sound production.
The time-based project consists of pre-production (preparation), production (principal shooting), and post-production (editing).
Project 1 includes 2 audio editing exercises: sound dubbing and sound shaping.
Project 2 focuses on video shooting and editing.
The final project entails a 60-second stop-motion video on the theme of climate change (personal choice).
Give the week 1 task and also Watch "Everything Everywhere All at Once."

Mr Martin also taught us to use Adobe Premiere Pro for video editing.

Name the project and determine its path, ideally keeping it in the VSP folder alongside the assets.
Rename the initial clips.
Edit the video.
File → Export → Media → (Presets: Match Source, Format: H.264).

Fig1.1 Folder of example video editing

Fig2.1 Week 2 Lecture PPT

In this week's lecture, the PowerPoint presentation introduced shot size, depth of field, and screen direction. It also included some exercises to help us understand these concepts better.

Fig3.1 Lecture PPT about Project 1 Audio Dubbing

In this week's lecture, we were introduced to the concept of audio dubbing. The mixing of sound in this context includes three main components: speech/dialogue, sound effects, and music. Sound effects can be divided into two types:

1. Hard Sound Effects: These are specific sounds added to a film to highlight actions or events, like a door creaking or a gunshot.

2. Ambient Effects: These are background noises, such as traffic or wind, that create a sense of environment and atmosphere in a film.

Instructions

MIB for Video & Sound Production

Week 1:

Editing Exercise: Mints & Doritos
Follow the lecture instructions to edit the Doritos video independently.

Fig1.2 Doritos

Fig1.3 Mints Video

Fig1.4 Doritos Video

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-camera-shots/#shot-size this is a complicated website which include a lot of topic to let us learning. There are shot size, framing, camera angle, composition are introducted inside this website.

We need to read some websites provided to understand the shot size, framing, camera angle, and composition.

Extreme Long Shot(ELS) or Extreme Wide Shot(EWS)

Shows the subject small against surroundings.
Creates a sense of distance or unfamiliarity.
The subject can appear overwhelmed by their surroundings.
Used to emphasize location or isolation.

Long Shot (LS) or Wide Shot (WS)

Shows the subject's entire body, not filling the frame.
Allows view of background imagery and onlookers.
Enhances the cinematic feel for big moments.
Provides a scene-setting and shows how the character fits into the area.

Full Shot (FS)

Allows the subject to fill the frame while emphasizing scenery.
Useful for featuring multiple characters in a single shot.
Highlights both subject and surroundings.
Commonly used in film to capture broader scenes.

Medium Wide Shot (MWS)

Frames subject from knees up.
Intermediate between full shot and medium shot.
Shows the subject and some surrounding context.
Useful for capturing the subject's body language and gestures.

Cowboy Shot (CS)

Frames subject from mid-thighs up.
Originated in Western films to showcase a gunslinger's gun or holster.
Provides focus on the lower body and torso.
Adds dramatic effect, particularly in the Western genre.

Medium Shot (MS)

Frames are subject from the waist up through the torso.
Emphasizes subject while keeping surroundings visible.
Commonly used in dialogue scenes.
Serves as a buffer shot for close-up shots of important moments.
Every shot size chosen affects the viewer's perception.

Medium Close-Up Shot (MCU)

Frames subject from the chest up.
Focuses on the subject's face while maintaining some distance.
Allows for expression and emotion to be prominent.
Commonly used to emphasize character reactions.

Close-Up (CU)

Reveals the subject's emotions and reactions.
Fills the frame with part of the subject, often the face.
Highlights facial expressions and details.
Intensifies emotional connection with the subject.

Extreme Close-Up (ECU)

Fills the frame entirely with the subject, showing great detail.
Commonly shows eyes, mouth, or small objects.
Emphasizes focal point with intense detail.
An over-the-shoulder Shot (OTS) shows the subject from behind another character's shoulder.
It Emulates perspective and is commonly used in conversation scenes.

Over-The-Shoulder Shot (OTS)

provides orientation and emotional connection between characters.
Presents point of view from the foreground character's perspective.
May not always feature the shoulder in the foreground.
Commonly used to establish relationship dynamics in scenes.

Week 2:

Shooting Exercise

Fig2.1 Shooting Exercise

We need to follow the PPT guidelines to shoot these eight different framing size videos by teams is better. And edit these footage into a 35 second video.

Fig2.2 8 framing shooting footage

Using Adobe Premiere Pro to edit these footage, and add text to label different shooting size frame. To avoid video too boring, i add music inside, and also the video transition effect and adjust color, to make this video become smooth and look better.

Fig2.3 Shooting Exercise

Materials Question:

We were asked to watch a video titled "Christmas Advert 2014" by John Lewis and "Unsung Hero", Thai Life Insurance Ad. After that, we need to identify the different shot sizes used in the video.

After reading and understanding the week 1 asynchronous class materials, we need to do a quiz.

Fig1.5 Quiz

First video:

Fig2.4 "Christmas Advert 2014" by John Lewis

Fig2.5 Scene in "Christmas Advert 2014" by John Lewis

I'm a bit confused about whether this scene is a Medium Shot (MS) or a Medium Close-Up (MCU). One reason is that the table partially blocks my view, but MCU shots usually focus more on the subject's emotions. However, I believe it's an MS because it also shows the surrounding environment.

Fig2.6 Scene in "Christmas Advert 2014" by John Lewis

This scene is a Wide Shot (WS) because it captures the full body of the subject and also includes the surrounding environment.

Fig2.7 Scene in "Christmas Advert 2014" by John Lewis

This scene is a medium-wide shot (MWS) because it captures the subject from the knees up, allowing viewers to focus on both the subject and the surrounding environment, as well as the subject's body language.

Fig2.8 Scene in "Christmas Advert 2014" by John Lewis

This scene is a Wide Shot (WS) as it fully displays the subject and showcases the combination of the subject and the environment.

Fig2.9 Scene in "Christmas Advert 2014" by John Lewis

This scene is a Medium Close-Up (MCU) because it focuses on the upper part of the subject's chest and primarily emphasizes the subject's face to convey emotions.

Fig2.10 Scene in "Christmas Advert 2014" by John Lewis

This scene is a Medium Shot (MS) because it captures both the subject and the environment, serving as a buffer shot in the scene.

Fig2.11 Scene in "Christmas Advert 2014" by John Lewis

This scene is a Medium Close-Up (MCU) because it focuses on the upper part of the subject's chest and the penguin, highlighting their faces and conveying their emotions and reactions.

Fig2.12 Scene in "Christmas Advert 2014" by John Lewis

This scene is a Medium Shot (MS) as it captures the subject from the waist up through the torso without any particular focus on anything specific.

Fig2.13 Over the shoulder shot(OS)

Provides orientation and emotional connection between characters.
Presents point of view from the foreground character's perspective.
May not always feature the shoulder in the foreground.
Commonly used to establish relationship dynamics in scenes.

Question: Why the bottom shot is not an OS shot?
Answer: In my opinion, the first point doesn't present the point of view from the foreground character's perspective, which typically results in the foreground being blurred. The second point doesn't show a focus point because the Over-The-Shoulder (OTS) shot is meant to provide orientation and emotional connection between characters.

Second Video:

Fig2.14 "Unsung Hero", Thai Life Insurance Ad

Fig2.15 Name scene of shot size

After the exercise for naming shot sizes, we need to answer the questions below.

Fig2.16 Depth of field

Foreground, midground, and background are concepts utilized in both photography and videography to enhance composition and depth perception:

Foreground: This is the closest to the viewer and can create a sense of depth in the image. It often leads the viewer's eye into the image, guiding their attention towards the main subject.

Midground: Positioned between the foreground and background, the midground provides context for the scene. It typically contains elements that support the main subject and help establish spatial relationships within the image. Additionally, it contributes to the overall balance and harmony of the composition.

Background: Situated farthest from the viewer, the background sets the stage for the composition and offers information about the environment surrounding the main subject. It can establish mood and atmosphere and is often intentionally blurred or softened to emphasize the main subject in the foreground.

Fig2.17 Foreground, Midground and Background

The depth of field (DOF) is the distance between the nearest and the furthest objects that are in acceptably sharp focus in an image captured with a camera.

Fig2.18 Different DoF

Depth of field refers to the clarity range in an image.
It's controlled by adjusting the aperture, lens focal length, and distance from the subject.
Shallow depth of field makes part of the image clear and the rest blurry, often used to highlight subjects.
Deep depth of field makes most of the image clear, often used for showing entire scenes.
Photographers and filmmakers use depth of field control to affect how images look, making them more appealing.

Fig2.19 Shallow and Deep DoF

A shallow depth of field makes part of the image clear and the rest blurry, often used to highlight subjects.

Fig2.18 Shallow DoF

Fig2.20 Screen Direction

The 180-degree rule is a guideline in filmmaking that helps maintain consistent screen direction between shots. It suggests that the camera should stay on one side of an imaginary line drawn between the main subjects. By keeping the camera on one side, it ensures that the subjects maintain their positions and relationships on the screen. Crossing the line can confuse viewers about where characters are in relation to each other. Following this rule helps maintain visual continuity and clarity in storytelling.

Continuity refers to the consistency of visual elements, actions, and narrative details within a film or scene. It ensures that there are no jarring discrepancies or disruptions that could distract the audience from the story. Continuity can involve maintaining consistent props, costumes, hairstyles, lighting, and spatial relationships between characters from shot to shot. It is essential for creating a seamless viewing experience and preserving the illusion of reality in filmmaking.

The 180-degree rule is used in this video.

Fig2.21 Screen Direction

Storytelling
https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/three-act-structure/ this website intro what is three act structure, is a main part to storytelling.

Fig2.22 The Three-Act Structure

Three-Act Structure

The three-act structure divides a story into three parts: the beginning, the middle, and the end. This framework brings cohesion to a narrative, making it a structured story rather than a series of random events.

Act I: Setup

Introduction: Characters, their world, and an inciting incident that starts the story.
Example: In "Man on Fire," Creasy meeting Pinta starts the main relationship and narrative arc.
Duration: Typically the first 20-30 pages (or minutes) of the story.

Act II: Confrontation or Build

Main Story: The protagonist faces obstacles and challenges, raising the stakes.
Structure: Includes ups, downs, and turnarounds to avoid predictability.
Purpose: Keep the audience engaged by escalating the conflict and complications.

Act III: Resolution or Payoff

Conclusion: Brings catharsis or resolution, tying up the story's loose ends.
Example: The climax of "Titanic" is a notable example.
Purpose: Provide a satisfying ending, whether it’s happy or sad.

Fig2.23 Three-Act Structure

Three-Act Structure Breakdown

Act I: Setup

The Hook: Captivates the audience. In "Jurassic Park," the first scene piques our interest.
Inciting Event: John Hammond convinces Grant and Sattler to visit the park, setting the plot in motion.
First Plot Point: The point of no return. Grant and Sattler see the dinosaurs, compelling them to learn more.

Act II: Confrontation

First Pinch Point: A minor obstacle involving the antagonist. The storm worsens, setting up future conflicts.
Midpoint: A major plot redirection. The T. Rex reveal changes the course of the story.
Second Pinch Point: A significant setback. Nedry's death complicates the situation further.
Third Plot Point: Transition to Act III with the highest stakes. Ellie turns on the power, but danger escalates with the reappearance of the raptors.

Act III: Resolution

Climax: The final, intense confrontation. Alan and Ellie are saved from the raptors by the T. Rex, emphasizing the theme of nature's uncontrollability.
Resolution: The story winds down. Alan's character arc completes as he bonds with the kids, and the protagonists escape the island safely.

Fig2.24 Quiz about Three-Act Story Structure

We need to complete a quiz to ensure we understand the three-act story structure.

Fig 2.25 Lalin

This week, we need to practice editing a video called "Lalin." We'll focus on using cut-in and cut-out points. After that, we'll apply the cross-dissolve video transition effect.

Week 3:

Fig3.2 Sound Dubbing Sheet

We were given a sheet with the dialogue for a 35-second silent video clip from the film "Everything, Everywhere." We are divided into groups of five and need to cooperate to observe the silent video. Our task is to fill in the scenes, description, time, characters, dialogue, and sound effects based on our observations.

Fig3.3 Lalin

Based on each of the movies,

For the film "Lalin"

1. Which part is act 1, act 2, act 3 respectively? Describe each act with ONE paragraph only.

Act 1: Introduces Lalin, who always wears a mask. After being bullied, she goes to Japan because people there don’t criticize others for wearing masks.

Act 2: Nut appears on her social media. As they get to know each other, they plan to meet at a café. However, Lalin is hesitant and, while looking in the mirror, takes off her mask, revealing why she always wears it. Nut is forced to leave but leaves a book for Lalin.

Act 3: Lalin reads the book and realizes Nut is the boy from Christmas past who changed himself after being bullied. After this revelation, Lalin regrets not meeting him and runs out to find him, but they tragically miss each other.

2. What is the inciting incident in the movie?

The inciting Incident in the movie is when Lalin is criticized both online and in real life for wearing a mask, leading her to escape to Japan.

3. What is the midpoint scene in the movie?

The Midpoint Scene in the movie is when Lalin and Nut meet online and plan to meet at a café. In the restroom, Lalin takes off her mask, revealing why she always wears it.

4. What is the Climax scene in the movie?

The climax scene in the movie is after Lalin refuses to meet, Nut leaves a book. Upon reading it, she realizes Nut is the boy from her past and runs out in regret, but they miss each other.

5. What is the theme of the movie?

The Theme of the Movie in the movie is accepting one’s flaws and striving to improve oneself. True beauty comes from confidence and seizing the moment, or else regret may follow.

Fig3.4 Everything Everywhere All At Once

For the film "Everything Everywhere"

1. Which part is act 1, act 2, act 3 respectively? Describe each act with ONE paragraph only.

Act 1: The protagonist, Evelyn, goes to the tax office, where her husband suddenly changes and tells her about the multiverse and an evil force trying to destroy all universes. He believes Evelyn might be the key to saving the multiverse, so she connects with parallel universes.

Act 2: Evelyn travels through various multiverses, attempting to solve the problem but failing each time. She embarks on adventures and challenges across different universes to find a solution.

Act 3: The problem is resolved as Evelyn confronts her inner fears and external threats, ultimately discovering the method to save the multiverse.

2. What is the inciting incident in the movie?

Inciting Incident is at the tax office, Evelyn's husband suddenly arrives from another universe and informs her that someone wants to destroy the multiverse.

3. What is the midpoint scene in the movie?

Midpoint Scene is each adventure in different universes creates new branches in the multiverse.

4. What is the Climax scene in the movie?

Climax Scene is everyone gathers in the building to fight the evil force threatening to destroy the world. Evelyn, by facing her inner self and showing kindness, reaches an understanding with the evil version of her daughter, ultimately saving the multiverse.

5. What is the theme of the movie?

The theme of the Movie is the mother-daughter relationship is crucial. The film uses multiverse travel to highlight their connection, showing that solutions must be found across different universes and timelines.

Storyboard

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-a-storyboard/ This website lets us understand what a is storyboard.

https://milanote.com/guide/film-storyboards This website introduces the method and steps to create a storyboard.

Creating storyboards for videos or films is not an easy task for most filmmakers and requires careful preparation. Fortunately, some tools make it easier. Storyboards are a way to present your vision and guide the transition from script to screen.

Definition: Storyboards are a visual representation of film scenes, breaking down actions into individual panels and including camera direction, dialogue, or other relevant details. They show how the video will unfold frame by frame, similar to a comic strip.
Formats: Traditional storyboards are basic pencil sketches that include details like camera movements, characters, props, etc., while thumbnail storyboards do not include text descriptions.
Usage by Directors: Some directors create storyboards for every scene, some only for complex scenes, and some not at all. Directors like the Coen Brothers and Ridley Scott often use storyboards.
Importance in Animation: Storyboards and animatics are essential steps in animation, used not only to refine specific animations and actions but also to shape story pacing and character behaviour.
Case Study - Mad Max: Fury Road: Director George Miller used a "graphic novel" approach, creating storyboards to plan out actions, stories, and characters before writing the actual script.

Fig3.5 Storyboard

Use Milanote to create a storyboard in 6 easy steps:

1. Identify Key Scenes: Determine the pivotal moments in the film that need to be visually depicted.

2. Map Out the Key Scenes: Plan the sequence and flow of these scenes in the storyboard.

3. Add Images or Sketches: Incorporate visual representations, such as photos or sketches, to illustrate each scene.

4. Describe Each Frame: Provide detailed descriptions for each frame, including:

Composition and Framing: Arrange characters and objects in each frame using techniques like the rule of thirds for balanced visuals.
Transitions: Design smooth transitions between shots for a cohesive flow or use abrupt changes for dramatic impact.
Character Blocking: Determine character positions and movements to show interactions with each other and the environment.
Emotion and Expression: Define facial expressions and body language to convey characters' emotions and reactions.
Annotations: Use notes or captions to clarify details that may not be evident in the visuals.
Dynamic Action: Break down fast-paced movements in action scenes into a sequence of panels for clarity.

5. Share it with Your Team: Distribute the storyboard to team members for alignment on the visual direction of the film.

6. Reference it on the Day: Use the storyboard as a reference during filming to guide the execution of each scene effectively.

Fig3.6 Storyboard in Film making

Week 4:
Production and Production Stages

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/stages-of-film-production/ This is a website that introduces the stages of film production.

For the film production, the articles can be divided into 5 parts or even 7 parts for more detail. But this article mainly introduces 5 parts which are development, pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution.

Development

Idea Generation: Creating a concept or story.
Screenwriting: Writing the script.
Financing: Securing funds for the project.

Pre-production

Planning: Detailed planning of the production.
Casting: Selecting actors for roles.
Crew Hiring: Assembling the production team.
Scheduling: Creating the shooting schedule.
Location Scouting: Finding places to shoot.

Production

Filming: Shooting the scenes.
Directing: Managing actors and crew.
Sound Recording: Capturing audio on set.

Post-production

Editing: Cutting and arranging footage.
Visual Effects: Adding CGI or other effects.
Sound Editing: Syncing and adjusting audio.
Scoring: Composing and recording music.

Distribution

Marketing: Promoting the film.
Release: Delivering the film to theatres, streaming platforms, etc.

Fig4.1 Quiz of Production Stages

Production Crew

https://www.govtech.com/education/news/the-roles-of-the-production-team.html This is a website for beginners, It makes a simple introduction to the production crew.

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/film-crew-positions/ This is a website more advanced, this article divides and describes these in more detail.

Producer: Oversees the entire project from development to release, handling logistics and finances.
Director: Leads the creative vision, working closely with the crew and actors to execute the script.
Screenwriter: Writes the script, including dialogue and action.
Director of Photography (DP): Manages the visual look through camera work and lighting.
Camera Operator: Operates the camera during shooting.
Gaffer: In charge of the lighting setup.
Key Grip: Manages equipment and rigging.
Sound Mixer: Ensures high-quality audio recording.
Production Designer: Designs the sets and visual style.
Costume Designer: Creates and manages costumes for characters.
Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist: Handles actors' makeup and hairstyles.

Fig4.2 Quiz for Production Crew

Project 1a: Audio Dubbing

We need to use the 35 seconds of silent video in Everything, Everywhere, All in Once and make observations to list down all the information inside the Google sheet.

Fig4.3 Audio breakdown spreadsheet

Before starting to edit the video, I went to the website called https://freesound.org/ provided by Mr Martin to find the sound needed following the audio breakdown spreadsheet. I mainly search for suitable sounds which are ambience sound and hard sound. And in this task cannot add music.

Fig4.4 Sound download from https://freesound.org/

Following the instruction of Mr Martin, we added the audio track to 10 tracks and locked the video track to avoid the mistake of adjusting the video.

Fig4.4 Lock the video track and add the audio track

The audio track is divided into three parts:

A1 - A3: Dialogue ( Waymond, Evelyn, The Audit)

A4 - A7: Hard Sound

A8 - A10: Ambience Sound

Fig4.5 Different audio track

In this part of the editing, I switched the interface to audio to make it easier to add audio tracks. The difficult parts for me are the hard sounds and dialogue. For hard sounds, I need to carefully insert them according to the events in the film, and finding suitable hard sounds online is also challenging. For dialogue, the hardest part is the speed; sometimes people talk quickly, so I need to adjust the speed to match the video.

Fig4.6 pitch shifter

For this part, the dialogue in the video involves two female characters. I used the pitch shifter function in the effects interface to change the tone, making it sound like it's coming from women. The picture on the left shows the interface where I made the changes, adjusting the semi-tone to alter the pitch.

Fig4.7 Audio Level

Entering the final part, I followed Mr. Martin's instructions to extend the ambient sounds, making their transitions smoother. Some sounds were too sharp or prominent, so I adjusted the levels to blend them better: dialogue to -5 dB and ambient sound to -10 dB. Then, for fine-tuning, I used the audio transition effect at the overlaps of the ambient sounds to make them more seamless.

Fig4.8 Final Audio Dubbing

Project 1b: Audio Editing

Fig9.1 Adobe Audition

We were tasked to follow the provided PPT step-by-step using Adobe Audition to edit the sound. We used the provided audio and applied parametric equalizer and reverb effects to create different sound environments such as phone call, muffled sound, bathroom, underground, and alien sound.

Fig9.2 Own sound for task 1b

Of course, for Task 1b, the audio editing requires us to record our own voice, which can be any content in any language, for about 5 seconds. Then, we need to edit it according to the PPT instructions to create the same five types of sounds: phone call, muffled sound, bathroom, underground, and alien sound.

Fig9.3 Effect rack

Following the steps, I applied the effects to the audio. Next, I fine-tuned the settings until each sound effect matched its respective scenario. Once satisfied with the results, I saved and exported the edited audio.

Fig9.4 MP3

After completing all the steps, export the file as an MP3. To make it convenient, I combined the original audio and the edited audio into a video file.

Final Task 1b

Audio Editing

Youtube Link:

https://youtu.be/UrzJvswbTK8?si=GwcSIBFgl_snKtf8

Reflections

This video and sound production course is quite interesting. You learn how to film from various angles and use them to convey emotions and feelings to the audience. However, editing videos takes a lot of time if you want to make the transitions smooth.

Dubbing the video is also challenging, especially the recording part. Since the dialogue in the video is short, it needs to be recorded quickly to match the clips. If the speech is too slow or too fast, you need to edit the speed, but not too much, or it will affect the sound quality. When male actors record voices for female characters, raising the pitch too high can make them sound like aliens, which feels unnatural during recording.

Although the audio breakdown sheet makes background music and hard sounds seem simple, watching the original video reveals that the sound is actually complex. Finding satisfactory sounds before editing takes extra time.

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Lew Guo Ying (0365721)