The editing stages of producing a music video are vital as this is the stage where not only are the shots complied but the sound is overlaid, this is why I used the Final Cut Express software as it allowed me to use many techniques to edit my music video together.
The first steps I took in editing was to chronologically compile my music video together; however this proved problematic when I began creating my music video with still some shots to film. Secondly I added the soundtrack. I ensured that each shot was the correct length, most importantly syncing not only the lyrics to the artist's mouth but also the instrumental to the shots of the piano.
In my music video I have also used various transitions, other than quick cuts, between my shots. The first clip in my music video, the zoom into the fairytale book, cross dissolves into the panning shot of trees; I used this transition as it suggests the immersion of the audience within the story. I combine the pan of trees and that of buildings also with a cross dissolve as this introduces the concept of nature and man, ideal and real, which I portray throughout my music video. As it is essential to include the artist name as well as song title within the music video, I overlaid the text on the panning shots, having them fade in and out, as this doesn't break the flow of the music video. During my narrative I use a fade to black transition between shots of 'Cinderella' entering the room and closing the door; this creates the illusion of time passing, highlighting the dull and trapped life of her character. Often I simply cut between narrative and performance shots, however toward the end I dissolve these more frequently to bring together the storyline and song for the closing of the music video when the camera zooms through the window in the performance shot to the shot of the Prince and Step Sister kissing.
However, transitions aren't the only aspects of editing, I also used the speed adjustment tool within Final Cut Express to elongate certain clips, such as that of Cinderella spotting the prince talking to the Step Sister. This emphasises the moment and thus the emotions created, creating further sympathy of the audience for Cinderella. In contrast, I sped up the shots of the fairytale book opening and closing as this created a slight stop-motion effect with the book jerking in sudden movements as the pages turn. This works well as it suggests the book is opening by itself, inviting the audience in to the story.
I feel that my editing creates a smooth run of consecutive shots as well as creating added effects which contribute to the overall music video.
