EVALUATION FIFTEEN: Post-production: Explain a range of editing choices and outcomes.

After filming out production, we had to actually do the whole thing together. This was rather intimidating at first as we had a lot of footage of the same thing, therefore we had to filter it down to the perfect shots. Before putting all of our footage onto the software (Adobe premiere elements 10) we sorted them out into chronological order on the computer, named them and deleted the shots we didn't need/our testing shots. We did this is that the software didn't become too overworked with footage when uploading it onto the system. if we had put all of the footage onto the software, it would have made it froze, due to the fact that there was too much resolution on the pictures making it slower to work with. We learnt this from when completing gout AS production, when the system is slow it can get very frustrating and often we cannot excel at our full potential. 

We used a software called Adobe Premier Elements 10. This was the same software that we used last year. This particular software has a range of technical skills that meant that we could manipulate our images regarding the transitions, colouring, brightness, and editing. A key editing technique that we used throughout our production was called a 'non additive dissolve'. This effect made the image, or in our case the clown, appear in two places on the same screen. It essentially faded two shots into one image. This was effective when creating a horror genre, as it gave a paranormal effect and adhered to the eerie atmosphere created by a horror antagonist. In the photographs above, you are able to see how the clown has faded between the two shots. We feel that this editing technique was a very strong part of our production, and displays a key convention to the horror genre. 


Another software that we used after filming was photoshop. This was a key software when creating our main title for our production 'Joke's on you'. Photoshop is a very high skilled software with lots of different effect techniques, some where confusing which meant that we had to use another software called 'Youtube' to research videos into some of the tools worked. Luckily, three out of four of us in the group take photography as a subject. This was extremely helpful when working with such a highly skilled software as some us already knew how it worked. We were able to play with the colouring of the titles on Photoshop which was difficult to do on Adobe Premier Elements as there was not a wide colour scheme to choose from. On Photoshop, we were able to create a 'gradient effect' where we could fade the colour red to a darker tone on the corners. This helped conform to the horror genre as faded effects can create an eerie atmosphere, as well as conforming to the shadowing effects in the trailer in the parks scenes. Photoshop also allowed us to add images into the title of our trailer. To link our clown into the title, we decided to replace the letter 'o' with a balloon on the title. We felt that this was appropriate as a balloon is the same shape as the letter 'o' as well as linking to our main protagonist. Photoshop also meant that we could adjust the font sizes of each letter. We wanted to make the fonts different sizes so that it looked like a child had drawn the title. Again, we felt that this was appropriate as a child is often linked to a clown, as clowns are historically seen as an object of entertainment for children. We feel that this was a fun twist to add to our title to make it seem engaging as most horror films feature blood and black backgrounds. 


Although Photoshop allowed us to edit our titles well, Adobe Premier Elements allowed us to edit our footage to a high level. There are over 30 different effects to choose from. With the record player seen, we decided to make it black and white. This separates this shot from the rest, suggesting that this scene is significant to the trailer. This effect also meant that it could add a metaphorical twist to our trailer. Black and white immediate sggests the idea of binary oppositions. Black connotes to evil and white connotes to good, suggesting the clear divide that is presented in horror films. This monochromatic theme is also further explored within the titles of our production. We felt that having a black background with a white font adds a sophisticated nature to our film. Adding too many colours would make our film appear tacky and unprofessional.  Adobe Premier Elements also had other filters and effect such as a 'fade to black' and 'fade to white'. These effects  ensured that all the clips flowed smoothly together. Most films in the industry use fades to literally 'dissolve' each shot together. We used this a lot between shots of the clown. This was because we didn't want to over-use the 'non additive dissolve as we feel that this would put the audience off, as well as erasing and ruining the true effect of the additive dissolve. This software also meant that we could adjust the speed at which each shot was faded into the other. There was a small yellow line running on the timeline of the clips. With the 'snipping' tool we were able to cut into the edges of the film of how harshly we wanted to fade each clip. For example, we could create a 'medium fade' or a 'harsh fade' We predominately stuck to the 'medium fade' with the majority of the clips. This was because the harsh fade was too much and would have made the shot of the girls for example seem overbearing and too much. We used a 'harsh fade' only on the close up photograph of the clown. This created a dramatic effect and a shock to the audience. Creating shock and fear was a key attribute that we wanted to include to get our audience enticed and gripped into our trailer. 

Prevalence was also a key feature when looking at the post production of our trailer. Although when actually filming we considered prevalence of who was going to be in the shot, we editing we also had to consider which parts where needed and the structure at which the character will be displayed. The clown is given the most amount of prevalence in the trailer, as we really wanted to show our audience the primary protagonist of our trailer. Unlike other trailers where the protagonist isn't usually shown,to create a climax and anticipation, we decided to show the clown to give the audience a wider insight into our trailer. However what made the clown still appear mysterious and frightening, was the fact that there was no music being displayed. The absence of the music meant that the clown was not releasing much emotion, creating a climax and anticipation. It can also be argued that on screen prevalence was centered towards the girls. The girls are given prevalence in different locations, such as the house, park, and the car which helps to make the audience sympathise with them.