Project by: Jack Hillyer (12th Grade)
Project Advisor: Stephen MacGillivray, Joan Jubett
Student(s)’s Advisor(s): Jessica Prohías Gardiner

Description of the Project:

I plan to edit a promotional video for the play and work as an assistant editor for the full performance video. I want to use this honors project as an opportunity to document my experience working as an assistant editor for the first time, as well as describing what it is like to edit a play filmed remotely through updates.

Final Product (e.g., documents, images, video, audio, poster, display, etc.):

Final Reflection on Learning:

Working as an assistant editor is something that I will have to do a lot in the future — getting that experience has really reassured me that I want to pursue a career in editing. I find the process so exciting, from the initial planning of the edit to the finishing touches. I am so grateful that Joan and Andrew gave me this incredible opportunity to get this type of hands-on experience, and at the same time, be able to take part in making something that the LREI community can enjoy.

Update on Progress from Weeks 1-3 (include any photos or video if relevant):

So far, I’ve worked heavily with Joan (the director), Annabelle (the stage manager), and Farin (the assistant stage manager) to help actors set up their green screen backgrounds for filming. The work we’ve done together in the past few weeks include: setting up a “prototype green screen” for actors to use as a reference, creating an instructional document on setting up a green screen (including our own prototype pictures and written instructions), as well as meeting with actors every day after school to assist in the setup process over Zoom. Since the middle of last week, the setup process has been finished and the filming process has now begun. I recently met with Joan and Andrew (the editor) to discuss our plan for transferring video files in the editing process and how our files should be organized (as files and folders must be identically organized in order for us to share project files on different computers).

 

Update on Progress from Weeks 4-6 (include any photos or video if relevant):

Due to having to make adjustments in the filming process, as well as allotting more time for the editing process, the deadline for the play has been moved from November 19th to January 8th. This has also meant that I have had to hold back on getting involved in the editing process until a time in which Joan and Andrew are ready for me to come in for help. A few days ago, Andrew emailed me with instructions for an application called “Resilio Sync” that will help us synch up our video clip files. This way, I will be able to key out (removing backgrounds) the green screen footage so that Andrew can access it himself and incorporate the files into his edit of the play.

I am also currently in the planning stage of the promotional video, gathering footage and b-roll to go over an interview with Joan.

The pushed back deadline is very helpful to me, as it allows me to finish my college application process in the next two weeks. I’ve learned that I work best editing for long hours on end, rather than a little at a time. For past editing projects, working entire days have allowed me to easily find a good workflow, stay organized, work faster, and work more efficiently. I’m excited to start the promotional video in the coming days, as well as starting my help as an assistant editor in the coming weeks!

Update on Progress from Weeks 7-9 (include any photos or video if relevant):

Last week, I was assigned my primary task as an assistant editor. As Andrew edits the full performance of the play, he will send project files to me so I can do the keying work for him. I still have a lot of work ahead, as the performance will be screened in January, so I will be mostly working during winter break. However, I’ve begun the keying process already and I’ve really come to enjoy it. There is a big learning curve in getting used to how I should label/organize my work under Andrew’s instructions so that he can easily incorporate my edits, but I’ve had a lot of fun in the process. The work I’ve done so far has been time-consuming, but it is all worth it to me.

As for the promotional video, there is not enough footage of the play with completed effects to use as b-roll. However, I filmed an interview with Joan on Zoom for the promo video, and I plan on using excerpts of the play and previously recorded footage from rehearsals to put alongside Joan’s interview.