Project 3: Rhythm /'rIðəm/

Dictionary.com notes that rhythm in a film, play, or novel is the effect produced

by the combination or arrangement of formal elements, as length of scenes, speech and description, timing, or recurrent themes, to create movement, tension, and emotional value in the development of the plot.

The analogy is clear: like music, moving images are a time-based art form, and they create pleasure through the repetition of motifs that often change and develop in complex ways.

Since editors are primarily responsible for moving-image rhythm, in project 3 we will be investigating its development by creating an abstract film short.

The project involves two stages.

3A. Create and contribute footage

Everyone will be working with the same footage, and everyone will contribute to the initial footage archive.

By the date listed on our schedule, provide two Quicktime movie clips, no more than one minute each, that show someone or some thing repeating some action at least five times. These files should be saved into your folder on the external hard drive and named as follows:

  • YourLastName 4450 3A 1.mov
  • YourLastName 4450 3A 2.mov

Your footage should visually interesting. This is often accomplished through careful composition, lighting, and/or unusual camera angles (e.g. extreme close ups). Note that the visuals are most important here; some clips may include synched audio, but for most clips the audio will be replaced by an independent soundtrack.

Bonus points will be awarded for footage of non-mechanical objects.

Important note: If you are shooting on tape (like minidv), remember to first "stripe" your tape, so it will have continuous timecode. Gaps in a tape's timecode cause the camera to start over again at 00:00:00;00. This drives editors to distraction, since some frames on the tape will have identical timecodes, and this makes capturing the footage much more difficult.

To stripe your tape, simply rewind to the beginning of the tape, press record (leaving the lens cap on), and let the camera run to the end of the tape. This will record continuous timecode for the length of the tape, which will not change when you rewind and record new footage.

3B. The Edit

By the date listed on our schedule, complete a three-minute movie that combines selections from the archival footage in a unique and compelling way. Since the movie is abstract, is does not need to tell a story. Instead, the sequence should develop engaging patterns through visual and temporal rhythm. (Another term for visual rhythm is "graphic match.") To help you develop the sequence's rhythm, I recommend selecting your music early in the project and using it as a scoring track.

Your completed movie must include all of the following:

  • at least one audio track;
  • at least one example of compositing;
  • at least one example of split screening;
  • at least one other example of motion effects;
  • at least one example of filters.

Use titles to add opening credits, including your name, the title "Rhythm Rhythm," and "A CMS 4450 Production." Closing credits should credit your contributions as editor, present the copyright information for your recorded music, and credit to all the people whose footage appears in your project.

By the deadline listed on our schedule, export your file as a Quicktime movie and deliver it via the drop box. The movie file must be called

  • Yourlastname 4450 3B.mov