COURSE MODULE

CERTIFICATE COURSE ON CREATIVE CINEMA EDITING:

THE ART OF CINEMA EDITING

Course Overview:

The "Certificate Course on Creative Cinema Editing: The Art of Cinema Editing" is designed to provide participants with a deep understanding of the art and craft of cinema editing. Through a combination of theory, hands-on practice, and analysis, students will learn how to construct compelling narratives, manipulate time and space, and evoke emotions through editing. The course spans 10 weeks with 60 hours of instruction and practical work, limited to 10 participants to ensure personalized attention.

Course Methodology:

• Lectures: Foundational concepts, theories, and techniques of cinema editing.

• Workshops: Hands-on sessions where students apply techniques learned in lectures.

• Seminars: In-depth discussions and analysis of classic and contemporary films.

• Assignments: Practical exercises to reinforce learning objectives.

• Homework: Further exploration and practice to build skills outside of class.

• Final Project: A comprehensive editing project that synthesizes all course learnings.

Course Outline and Detailed Topics

1. Introduction and History of Editing

• Topics:

  • Overview of the evolution of film editing.

  • Introduction to editing software: Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "The Technique of Film and Video Editing: History, Theory, and Practice" by Ken Dancyger (Focal Press)

  • Videos:

    • "The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing" (Documentary)

• Assignment:

  • Research and present a timeline of significant milestones in the history of editing.

• Homework:

  • Watch and analyze the editing techniques in "Psycho" (1960) by Alfred Hitchcock.

2. The Principles of Cinema Editing and Techniques

• Topics:

  • Importing footage, organizing files, and creating a library.

  • Basic editing techniques: trimming, cutting, and splicing.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "In the Blink of an Eye: A Perspective on Film Editing" by Walter Murch (Silman-James Press)

  • Videos:

    • Tutorial on basic editing functions in Final Cut Pro.

• Assignment:

  • Edit a short scene using provided raw footage.

• Homework:

  • Practice organizing and importing footage from various sources.

3. The Construction of Time, Space, and Story in Cinema

• Topics:

  • Manipulating time and space through editing.

  • Introduction to timeline and shortcuts.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting" by Robert McKee (HarperCollins)

  • Videos:

    • Analysis of time manipulation in "Memento" (2000) by Christopher Nolan.

• Assignment:

  • Create a montage that manipulates time and space.

• Homework:

  • Write an essay on how editing influences narrative structure in "Inception" (2010).

4. The Construction of Cinema Design, Structure, and Genres

• Topics:

  • Understanding genre conventions and their impact on editing.

  • Techniques for different genres: horror, comedy, drama, etc.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "The Film Editing Room Handbook: How to Tame the Chaos of the Editing Room" by Norman Hollyn (Peachpit Press)

  • Videos:

    • Genre-specific editing techniques illustrated through examples.

• Assignment:

  • Edit a scene in two different genres, demonstrating how editing changes the tone.

• Homework:

  • Watch and analyze the genre-specific editing in "Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015).

5. The Rhythm, Pace, and Emotion in Cinema

• Topics:

  • Techniques to control the rhythm and pacing of a film.

  • Editing for emotional impact.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "The Invisible Cut: How Editors Make Movie Magic" by Bobbie O'Steen (Michael Wiese Productions)

  • Videos:

    • Analysis of rhythm and pacing in "Whiplash" (2014) by Damien Chazelle.

• Assignment:

  • Re-edit a provided scene to alter its emotional impact.

• Homework:

  • Create a pacing map for a favorite film and discuss its effectiveness.

6. The Art of Sound in Cinema through Ambience, Dialogue, Music, and Effects

• Topics:

  • Integrating sound with visual elements in editing.

  • Working with dialogue, music, and sound effects.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Sound Design: The Expressive Power of Music, Voice and Sound Effects in Cinema" by David Sonnenschein (Michael Wiese Productions)

  • Videos:

    • Breakdown of sound editing in "Dunkirk" (2017) by Christopher Nolan.

• Assignment:

  • Edit a scene with a focus on sound design.

• Homework:

  • Analyze the use of sound in "A Quiet Place" (2018).

7. Art and Aesthetics of Cinema Editing

• Topics:

  • The role of color in editing and its emotional impact.

  • Color grading techniques.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Color Correction Handbook: Professional Techniques for Video and Cinema" by Alexis Van Hurkman (Peachpit Press)

  • Videos:

    • Color grading breakdown of "The Grand Budapest Hotel" (2014) by Wes Anderson.

• Assignment:

  • Apply color grading to a provided scene.

• Homework:

  • Research and present on the color grading process in "Blade Runner 2049" (2017).

8. Fictional Narrative Editing

• Topics:

  • Planning and executing the editing of a fictional narrative.

  • Controlling audience perception through editing.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Cutting Rhythms: Shaping the Film Edit" by Karen Pearlman (Focal Press)

  • Videos:

    • Analysis of narrative editing in "The Social Network" (2010) by David Fincher.

• Assignment:

  • Edit a short fictional narrative based on a provided script.

• Homework:

  • Write a critique of the narrative structure in "The Godfather" (1972).

9. Documentary Editing

• Topics:

  • Techniques for documentary editing.

  • The importance of pacing and narrative in documentaries.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Directing the Documentary" by Michael Rabiger (Focal Press)

  • Videos:

    • Documentary editing case studies from "13th" (2016) by Ava DuVernay.

• Assignment:

  • Edit a short documentary sequence from provided footage.

• Homework:

  • Watch and analyze the editing style of "Bowling for Columbine" (2002).

10. Experimental Editing

• Topics:

  • Approaches to experimental and avant-garde editing.

  • Mixing different media: animation, live action, and graphics.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "The Art of the Edit: A Guide for Creative Film and Video Editing" by Steven Cohen (Focal Press)

  • Videos:

    • Experimental editing in "Meshes of the Afternoon" (1943) by Maya Deren.

• Assignment:

  • Create an experimental video using provided media.

• Homework:

  • Research and present on the techniques used in "Eraserhead" (1977).

11. Advanced Editing Techniques

• Topics:

  • Advanced techniques: multi-cam editing, split screens, and VFX integration.

  • Working with motion graphics.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "After Effects Apprentice: Real-World Skills for the Aspiring Motion Graphics Artist" by Chris and Trish Meyer (Focal Press)

  • Videos:

    • Tutorial on integrating VFX in "Final Cut Pro".

• Assignment:

  • Edit a scene incorporating multi-cam footage and VFX.

• Homework:

  • Create a storyboard for a motion graphic sequence.

12. Editing for Genre and Style

• Topics:

  • Editing styles across different genres: horror, comedy, action, etc.

  • Adapting editing techniques to fit a specific genre.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Film Editing: Great Cuts Every Filmmaker and Movie Lover Must Know" by Gael Chandler (Michael Wiese Productions)

  • Videos:

    • Analysis of genre-specific editing in "Shaun of the Dead" (2004) by Edgar Wright.

• Assignment:

  • Edit a scene to match a specific

13. Editing for Genre and Style (Continued)

• Topics:

  • Techniques for editing within specific styles, such as film noir, musicals, and period dramas.

  • Analyzing how different genres require unique pacing, transitions, and sound editing techniques.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Cut to the Chase: Writing Feature Films with the Pros at UCLA Extension Writers' Program" by Linda Venis (Gotham Books)

  • Videos:

    • Analysis of editing style in "La La Land" (2016) by Damien Chazelle.

• Assignment:

  • Re-edit a provided scene to fit two different genres.

• Homework:

  • Watch and analyze the editing in "The Dark Knight" (2008) by Christopher Nolan, focusing on how editing enhances the film's tone and genre.

14. The Editor’s Role in Post-Production

• Topics:

  • Collaboration between editors, directors, and producers.

  • Workflow in post-production: from rough cut to final cut.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Behind the Seen: How Walter Murch Edited Cold Mountain Using Apple's Final Cut Pro and What This Means for Cinema" by Charles Koppelman (New Riders Press)

  • Videos:

    • Behind-the-scenes look at the post-production process in "Cold Mountain" (2003).

• Assignment:

  • Develop a post-production plan for a short film.

• Homework:

  • Write a reflection on the role of the editor in shaping a film’s final form, using "Apocalypse Now" (1979) as a case study.

15. Editing with Visual Effects (VFX)

• Topics:

  • Integrating visual effects into live-action footage.

  • Techniques for seamless VFX integration: rotoscoping, compositing, and motion tracking.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Visual Effects for Film and Television" by Mitch Mitchell (Focal Press)

  • Videos:

    • Case study of VFX integration in "The Avengers" (2012).

• Assignment:

  • Create a short sequence incorporating basic VFX elements.

• Homework:

  • Research and present on the evolution of VFX in cinema, with examples from "Star Wars" to "Avatar".

16. Editing Trailers and Promos

• Topics:

  • Key elements of trailer editing: pacing, sound, and narrative structure.

  • Techniques for creating compelling promotional content.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Trailer Mechanics: How to Make Your Book Stand Out and Sell" by Anne R. Allen (Harkback Books)

  • Videos:

    • Breakdown of trailer editing techniques in "Inception" (2010).

• Assignment:

  • Edit a trailer for a provided film, focusing on creating suspense and intrigue.

• Homework:

  • Analyze and critique the trailer for "Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015) in terms of its editing choices.

17. Advanced Sound Editing Techniques

• Topics:

  • Advanced techniques for sound design, including Foley, ADR, and surround sound mixing.

  • The impact of sound on the audience's perception and emotion.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Practical Art of Motion Picture Sound" by David Lewis Yewdall (Focal Press)

  • Videos:

    • Behind-the-scenes sound editing for "Gravity" (2013).

• Assignment:

  • Re-edit a scene with a focus on enhancing sound design.

• Homework:

  • Create a soundscape for a silent clip, exploring how different sound elements affect the scene's mood.

18. Editing for Television

• Topics:

  • Differences between editing for television and film.

  • Techniques for episodic content, commercials, and news segments.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Television Production Handbook" by Herbert Zettl (Cengage Learning)

  • Videos:

    • Case study on the editing style of "Breaking Bad" (2008-2013).

• Assignment:

  • Edit a segment for a mock television episode, adhering to the pacing and structure typical of TV editing.

• Homework:

  • Watch and analyze the editing of an episode from a TV series, focusing on how it maintains viewer engagement.

19. Editing and Social Media

• Topics:

  • Adapting traditional editing techniques for social media platforms.

  • The impact of short-form content on editing styles.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Social Media Marketing Workbook: How to Use Social Media for Business" by Jason McDonald (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform)

  • Videos:

    • Editing techniques for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

• Assignment:

  • Create a short video optimized for social media, focusing on quick cuts and engaging content.

• Homework:

  • Research successful social media campaigns and analyze the editing techniques used.

20. Editing Ethics and Best Practices

• Topics:

  • Ethical considerations in editing: representation, accuracy, and manipulation.

  • Best practices for maintaining integrity and professionalism in editing.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Ethics in the Motion Picture Industry: The Influence of Cultural Values on Decision Making" by Terry Christensen (University Press of America)

  • Videos:

    • Discussion on ethics in documentary editing, featuring "The Thin Blue Line" (1988) by Errol Morris.

• Assignment:

  • Write an essay on an ethical dilemma encountered in a well-known film or documentary.

• Homework:

  • Watch "The Act of Killing" (2012) and reflect on the ethical implications of its editing choices.

Final Sessions and Projects:

21. Masterclass with a Professional Editor

• Topics:

  • Insights from a professional editor on the industry, challenges, and creative processes.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Conversations with Great Movie Makers of Hollywood's Golden Age at the American Film Institute" by George Stevens Jr. (Knopf)

  • Videos:

    • Interview with Thelma Schoonmaker on her work with Martin Scorsese.

• Assignment:

  • Prepare questions and participate in a Q&A session with the guest editor.

• Homework:

  • Reflect on the masterclass and write a summary of key takeaways.

22. Final Project Assessment and Examination

• Topics:

  • Comprehensive editing project showcasing all learned skills.

  • Final evaluation and feedback.

• Assignment:

  • Complete and present a fully edited short film or documentary.

• Homework:

  • Submit a reflective essay on the learning journey throughout the course.

Course Conclusion:

Participants will leave the course with a deep understanding of cinema editing, equipped with the skills to craft compelling narratives, and ready to apply these techniques in real-world projects. They will have a professional portfolio that showcases their ability to handle various editing challenges across different genres and platforms.