Editing Research

Looking at the list of MTV awards for 'Best Editing' I decided to look at the certain videos and look for effective editing techniques which would be interesting to use. It is difficult to look at Motown specific research but it is useful to look at what a well edited video contains.

Beyonce - 'Single Ladies' won in 2009, edited by Jarrett Fijal, it contains simple editing but it is clear, making the video look fluid and eyecatching, quick fades are used but no complicated transitions are used which is something which we would hopefully be able to achieve. It is notable that the camera does not cut frequently to the music, which is common in pop videos and the long duration shots show off the dance routines effectively, I think it is one of those videos that holds the attention of the viewer despite only being a pure performance video and this is a good demonstration on how a lack of narrative can still be entertaining.

Lady Gaga 'Bad Romance' also edited by Jarrett Fijal won in 2010 and has crisp editing and cuts when there is a change in the song which links the visuals to the camera work as well as flow of the music. The length of the shot is notable as the duration can be quite long, for example the camera lingers when there are key elements in the music video occuring, allowing the audience to have time to view everything e.g. when there location changes. For example the length of the shot will significantly increase during the choreographed dance routines in order to show all the moves, this is a common seen convention of pop videos. The video also features some fades towards the end of the video to emulate and sync the music.
The 1999 winner - Korn 'Freak on a Leash' edited by Haines Hall and Michael Sachs has some more complicated editing. It features an animation at the start to which a CGI bullet acts as the transition from animation to reality and it continues to 'smash through the narrative' which is perhaps unseen and relatively new. Obviously with our deadlines and lack of funding and technology it isn't something we could emulate but it is still good research to see how music videos are constructed and edited.

Knarles Barkley - 'Crazy' video implements more new unseen editing where the ink images on screen are seen to embed Knarles Barkley's face within it and transitions into the next with the flow of the music, this is interesting and creative, again not something we can include but if there ever is a chance to do something as creative as this, this video and research with act as a starting point.

Green Day - 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' This one the award in 2005 and was edited by Tim Royes. It has genre specific editing, such as the grungey, scribble/ tv static overlays on the video. It is interesting editing as it adds to the mood of the song. The video also contains video transitions such as quick fades to white, followed by the overlayed scribbles whereas most of the other videos above did not have any transitions. The effects allow the video have a storyboard feel to it, notable effects include the cutting out of certain passers by so they are separate from the background and the character one way and the background the other creating a 3D effect which is edgy. There are handheld shots and different angles are used which keeps the viewers attention held throughout the video which is something the simple narrative also does throughout. Slow motion effects were used at one point when the drummer is about to hit the drums which contributes to the build up of music.

All the above mentioned is standard of professionally made music videos, there are no fancy transitions just clean cuts to the beat which is essential for any video in order to get precise syncing, practise will be needed.