Berlin, Germany

Editing for Film and Video Art

This workshop examines how filmmakers and video artists can use editing to create and clarify meaning. After watching and discussing clips from a wide range of films, the participants receive assignments which will put these ideas to immediate use.

We will also consider basic continuity editing concepts and have time to address the participants’ particular interests. As these editing concepts are relevant for both narrative and experimental films, we will watch examples from a range of films to explore some of the many options filmmakers have at their disposal.

At the beginning of each day we will watch clips that illustrate various editing concepts. After the introductory discussion, the workshop participants will receive an assignment which puts these ideas to immediate use. Depending on the assignment, the participants will work alone or in small groups to conceive, shoot and edit their own videos. As these ideas and techniques are relevant to all types of film, each assignment will be open enough so that the participants can complete them according to their artistic interests - whether as short narratives, abstract experiments or something in between. At the end of each session, we will reconvene to watch and talk about the new videos.

This workshop is suitable for video artists, experimental filmmakers or anyone interested in working with moving images. The focus of this workshop is on the conceptual basis of editing. There will be no instruction on editing programs, but extensive editing experience is not necessary. Basic familiarity with a simple smart phone app is all that is required.

Participants can use any sort of video camera (smart phone, DSLR camera, etc.) and any sort of editing software (smart phone app or laptop with an editing program) they feel comfortable with.


SCHEDULE

Monday

Participant introductions
General discussion of editing: What can editing do?
Rhythm in editing: watch examples and discuss
Participants complete, show and discuss their first assignment focussed on rhythmic relations
Introduce and discuss ways to conceptualise and prepare for a video shoot: script, shot list, storyboards, etc.

Tuesday

Graphic relationships in editing: watch clips and discuss relevant concepts. For example: graphic relations between shots, graphic matches, graphic contrasts, etc.
Participants complete, show and discuss second assignment emphasising graphic relations
If time, start with discussion of spatial relations

Wednesday

Start/Continue discussion of spatial relations, especially investigating how continuity editing seeks to construct a clear understanding of space.
Discuss shot / reverse shot sequences and the importance and meaning of the reaction shot.
Participants receive the third assignment - “Three possible responses.” They create a detailed shooting plan, including storyboards, which they present to the group before shooting.
Then participants complete, show and discuss finished videos

Thursday and Friday

Continue the discussion of continuity editing and investigate temporal editing relations.
The exact topics and projects will be tailored to the needs and wishes of the participants.
Prior application requirements (f. e. assignments to complete)

KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

Basic familiarity with a smart phone video editing app or a laptop editing program.


EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

Participants can use any sort of video camera (smart phone, DSLR camera, etc.) and any sort of editing software (smart phone app or laptop with an editing program) they feel comfortable with.

Course leader

Michelle Alperin

Fee info

EUR 450: Min. number of participants: 10
Max. number of participants: 15