splice/razor/cut??

i hate to admit it, but i am new to final cut.. i finally took the step from imovie now to finalcut express. i'm currently working on a project and i have everything captured. how do i cut/splice/razor unwanted video on the timeline? i know how to do everything else.. but this, and without cutting i can go nowhere. thanks!

Sarah

IMAC G5, Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Posted on Apr 2, 2006 5:01 PM

23 replies

Apr 4, 2006 2:29 AM in response to s8h

Sarah - you are obviously having fun with your camera and doing a bit of experimenting.

However, I have a number of criticisms which are intended to be helpful - though they may seem negative and hurtful.

If you are likely to be offended don't read any more of this, but if you can bear to have your films criticised in order to help you progress - then read on!

1. I agree with you, the dream video was the best. It had a story and some structure to it. (I didn't completely understand the tale - but put that down to me being old!) The other films were very long and did not have much variety in them.

2. The first one I believe was intended as a pop-video. To do it properly you need numerous cameras so that you can cut from wide shots to extreme close-ups etc. It is possible to do this with one camera but it takes a lot of time and patience. Basically you have to film the dancers going through their routine several times - and they must do it the same each time. The first time you film a wide shot. The second time you film a close-up from a different angle. If possible, you film the whole sequence a few more times. Then in the editing you line up the sequences on different tracks and cut between them. It can be done but it involves a lot of shooting and editing.

3. Only use pans and zooms sparingly - if at all.
Professional films only have them occasionally. Cut and reframe your picture.

3. Get in really close but have a variety of shots from wide to **. Big close-ups have most impact, long shots least.

4. Get a variety of pace - some scenes short and quick, others long and lingering.

5. Vary the angles - shoot from front, side , diagonal and from above or below - where appropriate.

6. Use a tripod wherever possible and appropriate for rock solid pictures. (A slightly wavering shot is usually the sign of an amateur.)

7. Keep your videos short and tight. 3 to 5 minutes is more than enough to tell a story. I have seen some brilliant, prize-winning films that were only ONE minute long!

If you have read all this, do NOT let it put you off.

Try out some of the suggestions as I am sure they will help you go from strength to strength.

Good Luck.

Ian.

Apr 4, 2006 4:13 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

I don't know whether you have seen this site. It sometimes has fairly reasonable amateur films:-

http://www.mymoviefest.com/

Ian.

s8h Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 4, 2006 12:48 PM in response to s8h

hey!
to tom:
thank you for the flag. ill be sure to take them down asap, because i know what you mean. and i want to go to college, therefore i need the money, if anything were to happen. so thanks for that.

ian!
yeah about my videos. yes i did read on. i love criticism, although its something i have learned to like, ofcourse. but i will take everything you said into consideration. the 'pop-video' was actually for our school dance team and their club. they wanted me to shoot one of their practices and make something as an end of the year type of thing. it was done with only me and i had restrictions. it was a one man shoot(none of my friends wanted to help me out) and i wasnt allowed to really 'get up all in their grill' when they were dancing. and, this was also done the end of the last school year, about may 2005. with that said, i have learned so much from that time. and the dream photograph scene was done about 2 years ago, when i was 14, now im 16. so, this isnt anything recent. alright. here is a little bit of my story. after i had made the dream photo. i got extreamly discouraged in the world of film, by everything dealing with it. it was very controversial within my family. so, at that point i wanted to quit filming, give it up. but that was vertually impossible for me to do. i simply took a break. and.. i am sure that you know very well as a film maker. it is very hard to think up not only ideas, but ideas that are possible for a 15-16 year old to pull of. so i wanted to wait, and not try and force another film out, but let it simply come to me. and i got the people and have the equiptment and i am currently filming it. i have loads of shots, i think i have about 2-3 tapes already and im not even into the meat of the story line. it is short and sweet like you said. just enough time to get the viewer sucked in and satisfied by the ending. Thank you very much, and i apperchiate your thoughts and pointers.Thanks!

Sarah

Apr 4, 2006 1:29 PM in response to s8h

I'm glad you're still "talking" to me, Sarah!

I actually thought those films had been done in the last few months - I didn't realise how old they were.

I appreciate your comments on the dance group and know how people and circumstances can put constraints on how one can film.

I also know what it's like to have one's cherished work criticised. I've often sat in the audience, whilst judges have ripped my masterpieces to shreds, and muttered vile things under my breath about their brainless comments!

So keep on filming and I guess when your new one is ready it will go on your website - assuming it hasn't got too much copyright material in it! (Some of mine wouldn't pass that test).

Ian.

s8h Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 4, 2006 2:04 PM in response to s8h

Thanks for everything Ian.

it is refreshing to talk to someone, who actually knows a thing or two about film.

not like some college students who simply shoots something down without any substance.
(i say this because the first film fest. i sent to was a college one, when i was 14 and the only noncollege entry 🙂 )

if i could possibly get your e.mail. i would like to know if i could ask you anything in the furture about the film world. Thanks.

Apr 4, 2006 5:13 PM in response to s8h

you can just say you dont have any experience. its ok.

if you have used Avid, you would know about in and out markers.

Apr 5, 2006 2:48 AM in response to s8h

There are many people on these forums, Sarah, who know more about filming than I do, so it would probably be better for you to ask here. That way you would get a greater variety of answers, information and ideas.

Strictly speaking this forum is for questions on using FCE but I am sure nobody would mind passing on advice and suggestions connected with the wider subject of filming..

You could always preface your question with something like this - "I am using FCE to edit my movie but need some information on how to shoot a ..............". - There are ways to get round anything!

Ian.

Apr 5, 2006 11:39 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

An excellent illustration about copyrights and fair use is shown in comic book format at http://www.law.duke.edu/cspd/comics/. Should be required reading for anyone in video production...

iMac G5 2.1GHz Mac OS X (10.4.6)

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splice/razor/cut??