The document describes experiments conducted to learn new video editing techniques. In experiment 1, the author created a gradient wipe transition effect to use between similar action shots. They also gained experience using a new iPhone gimbal. Experiment 2 aimed to emulate Edgar Wright's fast-paced style. The author tested different methods for adding camera flash transitions, including using brightness/contrast changes and color level adjustments. Downloading pre-made light leak overlays provided another option but was less original. The author plans to incorporate light transitions in their project to help tell a comedic story in a visually appealing way, as inspired by Wright.

1. Experiments
Your Name

2. Experiment 1
For my first experiment I decided to have a go at
creating a gradient wipe effect on my work, as it looks
like a really nice effect that I could utilise as a more
interesting transition for an action sequence, especially
if it is done on similar looking shots. The footage I used
was also an experiment, where I was testing out and
iPhone gimble I had bought. I was able to learn how to
use the gimble and through this experiment, gaining an
understanding of its controls and how the footage
generally looks.
https://youtu.be/yvwtQ2UFwH8

3. Process
To begin with I dragged two different clips
into the timeline, added one over the top
of the other and cut a segment off.
Then I moved the none cut off bit of the
2nd piece onto the correct layer.
I then added the ‘Gradient Wipe’ effect
onto the footage on the second layer.

4. Process
To customize the effect, I opened the effect
control panels and used the transition
completion nodes to set the transition
completion from zero percent to one hundred
percent at the start and end of the clip.
I then customized the smoothness to fifty
percent, in order to make it blend a lot more
nicely.

5. Reflection
I plan to use this transition once, at the very
least, in my trailer. I believe it is an interesting
transition that will help to male my project
much more visually enticing, as I want it to be
quite fast pace I may not use this cut as
frequently.

6. Experiment 2
• For my second experiment I decided to try and go
for more of an Edgar wright style format. I
recorded my footage in short clips, with
intentions of putting together a series of shots
that tell you how the character is traveling
around college. To further draw towards this
style, I decided to learn how to add a camera
flash effect as a transition. I learnt 2 different way
to achieve this just, in order to see if the was any
difference between them. I also tried using a
version that used overlayed outsourced files.
https://youtu.be/3ayUnZ5gylA

7. First, I dragged all my
footage into the timeline,
and trimmed it down (I
also reversed one of the
shots that I took to make it
how I wanted). I then
created an adjustment
layer and changed the
time it took up to be
shorter.
Process – L1

8. Process - L1 Next, I added the adjustment layer over
the cut I wanted the effect . I then added
the ‘brightness & contrast’ video effect.
To customize it so that it fitted my
requirements, I went to the start and
end of the adjustment layer and added
key frames for contrast and brightness at
zero. I then went to the middle of the
clip and changed the contrast and
brightness to 100. This created a flash
transition effect that I was happy with.

9. Process – L2
With the second light transition I used the levels effect on the two clips I wanted to create
the effect on. I then added two key frames on the first clip towards the end of the clip on the
white input level. I Set the first one a few frames
before the end of the clip at the normal level,
the second one towards the end and changed it
so the white input level would lower, which
creates a bright flash effect. I then did the clip
reverse process on the
second clip, with the white
level being low at the
beginning of the clip on the
first frame. The second
frame was dragged quite
far, so that the fade out
would last awhile, as the
second frame was set to a
normal level.

10. Process – L2
After further experimentation with the other light levels, I discovered that they
can be used to add colour tints to the flash, so I added a bit more of a green tint
by changing the (Red) Black Input Level and using some key frames on the clips.
To add to the light transition effect, I
chose to add a zoom at the end of the
first clip, and a bit of a zoom in and out
at the start of the second clip – using the
scale and position key frames. The
reason I did this was because the light
transition did not quite look right on its
own.

11. Reflection/Comparison
The first light transition which uses
‘brightness & contrast’ is quite simple
and easy to use; where as the second
transition which uses ‘levels’ is a bit
more complex, but not enough to make
too much of a difference. Although the
first effect is a bit easier to use, it lacks
the customisation, with it only being
able to make a white flash. In
comparison the second effect is very
customisable, with many different
options of colour brightness to
customise and mess around with.

12. Process - L3 - External
Reflection
The process for this is not very
complicated, however it is a
disadvantage that I had to
download the overlay files (as I
do not know how to create them
yet), which makes it less original.
A benefit is that due to the
design of the effects they look
quite visually appealing (more so
than my other
experiments).
For this Experiment I downloaded some light leak videos
from online, and then dragged them into my premier files. I
then proceeded to drag one of the shorter clips into the
timeline, using the command and arrows keys to get the
point where the screen gets exposed to the light the most
above the cut. Next, I set the opacity blending option to
screen, which allowed for the lighting effect to get overlayed.

13. Light Experiments (Experiment 2)
– for Project
I plan to use light leaks/exposure for transitions
in my work as I believe they look quite visually
appealing and fit with my inspiration of trying to
do visually comedy/story telling like Edgar
wright.

14. Strengths and Weaknesses
Ex1. My first was handy as it taught me how to use my gimble, as well as learning new
transition. I would say that the main weakness is that it last a bit too long and doesn’t
look that visually appealing. Next time I would speed up the effect of this transition.
Ex2. I learnt a variety of different ways in order to achieve light flashes, this is handy as
each of the effects look slightly different and vary in difficulty to create. This means I
can select the method that is most appropriate for my project depending on the
variables at hand. I think that all these light flashes work quite well as transitions, I just
put way too many of them on one short video. When compared with Edgar wrights
light flash scenes, the thing I am missing is faster shots and more camera movement. If
I could redo it, I would add more camera zooms and get much more fast shots.
I would say that a general weakness of my project is that I ended up being limited to
only Premier Pro experiments, and did not utilize any Photoshop skills, however I do
believe that I am competent enough to achieve what I want in photoshop.
Ex(number) = experiment number.

15. Reflection
Ex1. This experiment will help me in my final project, as I plan to use my
gimble to film some of the footage that I will use. I do not think that I will be
using the gradient wipe, however.
Ex2. I have decided that I will utilize the 3rd part of this experiment in my
project, as it looks good as both an overlay and a transition. This means I can
use it to bring some color/light to a scene where action is taking place and
have an interesting transition to another shot.
Ex(number) = experiment number.