A Master in the Making

Summary

This week’s assignment felt like stepping into a different part of the filmmaking process, one that really opened my eyes to how much happens after the camera stops rolling.

I started by diving into Chapter Ten of The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video, which guided me through the editing stage and made me think about my footage in a whole new way. From there, I went searching for videos that showcased different editing styles. Watching how each cut, transition, and pacing choice shaped the mood of a piece helped me understand how editors guide the viewer without ever saying a word.

All of this led into creating my own video montage, filmed entirely this week, where I tried to bring together strong visuals, natural sound, music, and narration to tell a story about the place I chose, a small farm in Wallingford. This week pushed me to see editing not as a final step, but as the moment where everything truly comes together.

Reading & Writing

The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video

Chapter Ten- “After The Shoot— Editing”

In The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video by Tom Schroeppel, Chapter Ten, titled “After The Shoot—Editing,” focuses on continuity and how it helps separate shots feel like one connected and believable sequence. Schroeppel explains that continuity keeps the audience aligned and prevents confusion when the camera angle changes. He describes several types of continuity, including action, movement, screen direction, and the placement of people and objects. Each type works together to maintain a smooth visual flow.

The chapter also explains how editors depend on matching actions between shots so the viewer experiences them as a single moment. Schroeppel emphasizes the importance of consistent screen direction because a sudden change can make the audience think a character has changed paths or turned around unexpectedly. He also mentions the need for consistency in props, clothing, and the environment unless the change is intentional. Overall, Chapter 10 explains that strong continuity makes a film feel smooth and professional.

Research to Inform

I tried to think about some of my favorite movies and shows and looked through them to point out specific examples of different editing styles. After watching a bunch of scenes, I found a few clips that do an outstanding job of demonstrating different types of editing and how they can change a clip’s mood.

1. Mean Girls — Four‑Way Phone Call
   • In the four-way phone call scene from Mean Girls, the editors use a split-screen so we can see all four girls’ reactions at the same time, and the screen slides when someone joins or leaves the call. It’s a great way to follow everyone’s side of the conversation and catch all the little expressions and reactions that make the scene so funny. This editing really shows the tension and gossip between the characters, and it’s fun because we get to see things the characters don’t even notice, which makes it even more dramatic and hilarious. The timing of the cuts is perfect, giving us just enough time to catch each reaction before moving on, which keeps the scene full of energy.
2. Impractical Jokers — Restaurant Rejection
   • In the “Restaurant Rejection” clip from Impractical Jokers, the editing relies on quick cuts and reaction shots to build comedic tension. The scene alternates between the prank setup and the participants’ awkward or surprised reactions, emphasizing key moments and maintaining a lively pace to maximize humor. The timing of each cut is carefully chosen so that the audience has just enough time to register the setup before seeing the payoff in the characters’ reactions. Sound and visual cues are also used strategically. For example, pauses, facial expressions, and background noise are highlighted to enhance the awkwardness or surprise. The editing shapes how viewers perceive the prank, which makes these “ordinary” interactions feel unexpectedly funny and heightens the entertainment value of the scene.
3. Petra Solano and Jane Ramos | Jane the Virgin | 04X13 (PART II)
   • In this emotionally intense scene with Petra and Jane, the editing takes its time, using slow cuts and lingering close-ups so we can really connect with their emotions. The pacing lets us sit with each expression, making it easy to feel the hurt, tension, and complexity in their relationship. Moments of silence and carefully timed pauses give specific lines extra weight, making the conversation feel personal and honest. The editors clearly wanted the audience to focus on the emotional stakes, and it works. You can feel how important this moment is in their friendship and rivalry, and the way it is edited makes it clear that something has shifted between them. Watching it, you can almost feel the tension in the room as if you were standing there with them.

Create

Montage Production

This assignment turned out to be much more challenging than I thought it was going to be. But to be fair, the reason why it was so difficult wasn’t exactly my fault…

For starters, I invited my friend, who has a degree in film, to help me at the farm with filming and setup. What I did not realize is that having a film degree does not automatically make someone a professional with camera equipment. Within 20 minutes of arriving at the location, our school-rented tripod became a victim of my friend’s foot. I now probably owe the school some money, and was left to shoot without anything to keep my camera still. I really did try my best. All peace and love to my friend, but this did make filming that day feel somewhat impossible.

Premiere Pro became my biggest ally in bringing everything together. I used the warp stabilizer to reduce movement in the shots that came out shakier than I planned. I also did some color correcting during editing, but the coloring already looked pretty good in the raw footage. I cut the clips to the beat of the background music I chose and raised some of the ambiance to add more impact. For example, I wanted the scenes with cars passing by to include their sounds, so I boosted the audio levels to make the moment feel more natural.

Outside of the camera issues, when I look at my finished product, I am genuinely proud of what I created. I am even thinking about emailing it to Beaumont Farms to show the owners what I was able to put together. It actually turned into a great promotion for their farm and highlights how warm and family-friendly the environment is. Despite the challenges, I ended up with something I am really happy with and feel more confident in my filming and editing skills because of it.

Here’s the montage link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rntkj0n0B6E