Editing Process in Adobe Pro- Alejandra A

 

The very beginning of the editing process for our project involved importing each camera clip from the memory card onto our classroom's computer and then into Adobe Premiere Pro. Our group was initially concerned that there would not be enough usable footage to reach the required 2 minutes in length. We were pleased to find when we had imported the footage into Premiere Pro's Project panel that we had collected a large quantity of quality usable footage shot at a number of different angles and moments that would provide us with a wide range of options to organize into an overall sequence.

After having set up our media files in Premiere Pro, we then arranged these in a timeline matching the events in the storyboard. We placed the clips in chronological order using the selection tool (drag and drop). In addition, there were many times when we had to cut parts out of the clips (by using the razor tool) for unnecessary parts of the clip. We also used the trim tool to fine tune the time of some of the shot transitions so that they flowed as smoothly and as natural as possible.

One of the biggest challenges in the editing was recording and syncing Agent Valeria's VO. The time it took to match the timing of her VO with her lips was a lot of work. After we would move an audio clip to better fit the timeline that was showing the characters' mouth movement. We kept adjusting the timing and space on the tracks to get them synced up as best possible. It was a long and tedious process because any difference in timing or space made the scene look fake.

Another time-consuming aspect of the editing process was visually linking all the cuts together by making sure all the footage was in the correct order. The Ripple Edit tool was used often to cut sections of footage to fit in the open spaces between scenes as well as to help with the organization of the timeline. The Slip edit tool was also used often. This allowed us to move certain parts of clips but still have them at the same spot on the timeline.

Transitions were added to transition the audience smoothly from one scene to another. When a cross dissolve or other transitional was unnecessary we would use a simple cut to keep the suspenseful feeling in the film. Due to the amount of time spent on reviewing, cutting and fine tuning each clip it took several class periods to complete our final edit.

Adobe Premiere Pro gave us a lot of tools we could use to take our unprocessed video and turn it into a cohesive film. Syncing dialogue, organizing clips, etc. took a lot of time but both of those processes were helpful in clarifying the narrative of the film as well as making sure the end product looked like something you would see on TV.