Quick question for anyone willing. In recent discussions with my editor he has used a couple film terminologies I am not yet familiar with. I'm trying to be as professional as I can, which is why I came to you guys before asking him. I did a bit of searching but couldn't find any helpful information. In discussion of my upcoming project my editor told me to make sure I use a clapper and edit notes. Now I know what a clapper is, but am unsure of how that would assist him. As far as edit notes I really have no idea there. Any help?
Clapper and Edit Notes
- Thread starter DRthunderMD
- Start date
Very useful to have. You can mark each scene as it gets shot, as well as other information.
That way your editor doesn't have to import every single shot you made. Only the footage that you know you want to use. What's the point of importing all those bad takes?
Editor can also navigate through footage a lot easier. Let's look at "Scene 22 Take 2", instead of "Hey, load up that part when the guy says that one line".
Also neat little info bits like whether it's supposed to be day or night, and whether there is supposed to be matching sound or not.
Any special thoughts or notes you might have, regarding editing?
Like... maybe the transition between scene 2 & 3 is supposed to be a flashback, so use a transition that goes all wavey like a 70's Scooby Doo episode.
If you don't have that written down in notes somewhere, your editor won't know that you are expecting something specific.
Dude, nothing wrong with asking him to clarify stuff while you're there. That way you know you'll be on the same page as him/her, even if they have different definitions or expectations.
Looking sage and nodding your head ain't the best way to communicate openly with people you're working with.
Clapper helps sync picture to sound and marks the scene.
The notes (or camera reports) are by the AC and mark good and bad takes (and best take) so the editor can get you a rough cut to start with. Sound mixer also takes notes, so does script supervisor. These are all to expedite the post production process. When you sit with the editor, have all the notes.
The notes (or camera reports) are by the AC and mark good and bad takes (and best take) so the editor can get you a rough cut to start with. Sound mixer also takes notes, so does script supervisor. These are all to expedite the post production process. When you sit with the editor, have all the notes.
Sitting may be a bit out of the question as he lives in Australia and I live in the U.S. We have been communicating through email, I know this isn't the ideal way to go about things, but it's the cheapest and right now it's all I can afford. What's most important to me is completing this project and having a professional editor whether he will be present for the shoot or not. Our method of delivery will be through the postal service as I will be mailing him a dvd copy of all of the takes, plus a dvd copy of songs my composer made. So as far as edit notes go I should just include the sheets of notes with detailed descriptions and what scenes and takes they belong to?
Okay, thank you guys for clearing things up for me. In your previous experiences do editors prefer hand written or typed notes? I know this is probably an incredibly stupid question but I would rather be a little embarrassed and have a film I'm proud of than try to pretend I understand and get a piece of garbage in result.
Doesn't really matter. Clear and concise. Your first notes will be so he can assemble a rough cut, so mark the best takes using scene number and take number. After that, it's best if you use the timecode to point things out. Make sure he sends you a rough cut with burn-in (timecode at the bottom).
By the way, editor's notes are in the order of shooting, not story. This way he knows where to find a scene by looking at the notes.
You should find a nice template to use or make one. It will have scene #, take #, and an area for comments. You can write good, bad, boom in shot... whatever, in the comments.
I think you know what to do now.
You should find a nice template to use or make one. It will have scene #, take #, and an area for comments. You can write good, bad, boom in shot... whatever, in the comments.
I think you know what to do now.
I figured as much but thank you for making sure I knew. Thank you for all of your help zen and indie.
A good, marked script will look like this:
http://www.darkcrimes.com/images/Page70.jpg
http://www.darkcrimes.com/images/Page71.jpg
http://www.darkcrimes.com/images/Page92.jpg
http://www.darkcrimes.com/images/Page70.jpg
http://www.darkcrimes.com/images/Page71.jpg
http://www.darkcrimes.com/images/Page92.jpg
Here's what a scripty's form looks like. Camera reports also look like this. In film, you do camera reports for the lab, and a copy goes to the editor. In video, since there is no lab, I don't know if you do camera reports on set. Definitely have the scripty or camera assistant take notes in shooting order. The ones on the opposite page of the script will end up being in story order and are good for later, but not for starting the rough cut. I could always be wrong on this lol. It's been awhile.
