AS Media Studies Blog

 

 

For editing our project, I relied on two software programs: VSDC and VN Video Editor. The first thing I did was transfer all the video files to my PC. Once that was done, I sifted through the footage to pick out the best shots and started stitching them together. I cut and trimmed the clips to fit my vision, making sure the pacing and flow aligned with the story I wanted to tell.  Abeer had recorded several diegetic sounds, like the sound of heels clicking, a door unlocking, a door slamming, and keys being set down on a table. I pulled these sounds from her audio recordings and meticulously synced them with the video, matching them to the actions happening on screen. This added a layer of realism and immersion, making the environment feel vibrant and authentic.  To amp up the horror vibe, I turned to YouTube in search of extra sound effects. After browsing through countless options, I compiled a playlist of the most suitable sounds and integrated them into the project. The ee...

The semi-final version of my project is lacking a few important finishing touches. I need to make those final edits  to enhance the pacing, transitions, and overall audio-visual quality. Plus, I have to add the credits  to give proper recognition to all the contributors, making sure they’re accurate and visually appealing.  I need to include the final title , ensuring it’s styled and positioned to fit the film's tone, so we can wrap it up for release. THE RED HEELS SEMI FINAL CUT

When I was working on this project, I found myself really inspired by the tension and atmosphere in films like The Ring and The Invisible Man. These movies are brilliant at using subtle techniques to create a sense of unease and keep you on the edge of your seat, and I aimed to capture that same vibe in my own work. Let me take you through how I incorporated some of these editing techniques and drew from these influences.  Pacing and Tension-Building One of the standout features of The Ring and The Invisible Man is their pacing. Both films expertly maintain a slow burn of tension, gradually leading up to those spine-chilling moments. For my project, I wanted to mirror that approach by keeping the pacing intentional. Take The Ring, for instance; it uses long, lingering shots that allow the audience to really sit with the discomfort of the scene. I adopted this technique by letting certain shots breathe, giving viewers a chance to feel the weight of the atmosphere before something un...

The rough cut of the red heels sequence is basically just a mix of the selected shots, with only a bit of editing done. I lined up the footage in the order we wanted to tell the story, but I didn’t include any of the finer details like transitions, effects, or color grading at this stage. The main aim of this rough cut was to get a sense of how the scene flowed, giving us a clearer picture of how the shots worked together. At this point, we were focused on picking the right shots and making some basic cuts, which helped us visualize the sequence before moving on to more polished editing. The Red Heels Rough Cut

On the first day, we faced our initial challenge was finding the perfect pair of red heels. We scoured countless stores, both online and in person, but it felt like nothing was quite right. Some pairs were off in color, while others just didn’t fit our vision.  So, we decided to get a little crafty. We took a spare pair of heels that Lyla had and used acrylic paint to give them a makeover.  But, of course, things didn’t go as smoothly as we hoped  the paint took ages to dry, and when it finally did, it started chipping almost right away. It was a bit of a blow, but we kept our cool and thought outside the box. We grabbed some red nail polish and carefully painted over the heels. It took some time to dry, but in the end, they turned out just as we had imagined On the second day, things weren’t as chaotic, but the stress was still there. My first attempt at a Lilith costume was a total flop. I had this ski mask we ordered online, but when I put it on, it just didn’t fit rig...

  For our shooting setup, we focused on two essential tools: the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Zhiyun Q3 gimbal.  We chose the iPhone 15 Pro Max for its outstanding camera features, which include 4K video recording, advanced image stabilization, and a broad dynamic range. This made it possible for us to capture sharp, detailed footage with rich colors. Being waterproof allowed to get that perfect under the sink water shot. Its lightweight design and user-friendly interface made it a fantastic option for our project, allowing for quick setups and adaptability in various shooting scenarios.  To pair with the iPhone's camera, we utilized the Zhiyun Q3 gimbal. This handheld stabilizer was crucial in helping us achieve smooth, cinematic shots by reducing any shakiness and ensuring stable movement during filming. The Q3’s intuitive design and motorized stabilization enabled us to create dynamic shots, like tracking movements or smooth transitions, without the hassle of heavy, expen...