The Brief
Cut together the provided takes from scene 4 of Johnny Reb to create one cohesive scene.
Johnny Reb Script
(this first part is included to give you the context of the scene you will be editing.
Your editing assignment starts with: 4 EXT. – ROAD OUT OF CAMP – NIGHT)
3 EXT. – CONFEDERATE CAMPSITE – NIGHT
The Confederate camp is alive with the remains of war. Large groups of troops sit at individual campfires,
recalling the days events with their countrymen.
SOLDIER 1, PAUL MALLOY
He's a wind bag if I've ever heard one.
SOLDIER 2, TOM DAVIES
Hell, my blind auntie could lead
this company better than that fool.
SOLDIER 1, PAUL MALLOY
Sergeant Robert Gilmore couldn't lead a horse to water.
Robert abruptly walks into the conversation, much to the
troopers surprise. He doesn’t say anything; he simply stares the men down.
Soldier 2 (Tom Davies) doesn't know where to look.
Robert sits down between the two.
ROBERT
And how do you lead a horse to water Private?
On the opposite side of the fire pit sits Johnny with brother Jasper, who nervously plays with his cross and watch. Everyone waits in giddy anticipation to hear the response of Soldier 1 (Tom Davies).
7.
SOLDIER 1, PAUL MALLOY
Well, I…I suppose I would use the
reins sir.
ROBERT
Well Private, do you suppose or do
you know?
SOLDIER 1, PAUL MALLOY
I suppose…I mean, I…I don’t know
sir.
Robert looks across the campfire to the younger Manning.
ROBERT
How about you Jasper? You know how
to lead horse to water don’t ya?
Jasper doesn’t say anything, he simply stares at the ground holding onto his cross and watch.
JOHNNY
Hey, Robert’s asking you a question.
JASPER
I heard ‘im.
ROBERT
Is that horse getting a drink today?
JASPER
I’m infantry. I wouldn’t know how to
handle a horse, Sergeant.
The group around the fire gives a slight chuckle.
ROBERT
Doesn’t look like you know how to
handle a rifle neither.
JOHNNY
Hold on a minute Robert, his gun
misfired. I saw it.
ROBERT
I saw his finger misfire Johnny.
Jasper doesn’t move, he simply takes the verbal lashing with shame.
ROBERT (CONT'D)
(to the group)
Lucky, I spotted that Yank running
on you. I must’ve been about, what…20
yards out when I brought him down?
8.
JOHNNY
20 yards out? You sure about that?
ROBERT
Hell yes! I shot that devil right
between the eyes.
At that Jasper stand up and walks off. Johnny looks towards his brother.
JOHNNY
Jasper.
Johnny stands to follow his brother.
ROBERT
Make sure that he is back for guard
duty, tonight.
Johnny ignores the comment and walks off.
(Your editing assignment begins here)
Treatment
All the takes I was given to watch through and piece together to create the final product.
I used Premiere Pro to cut the scene together. When it comes to deciding which clips string together best, I just went with what felt right in the moment.
I used the razor tool to slice any cut that spotlighted one of the two actors and then I color coded that segment and audio: Orange for Johnny and Blue for Jasper.
Shot List
1. Establishing shot- I used an over the shoulder angle to show that there were two characters in this scene; one trailing behind the other.
2. This shot established who that second character was.
3. Wide angle shot that allowed the viewer to see the anguish in Jasper's face at the same time they viewed Johnny's reaction.
4. Close up shot angled over Jasper's shoulder, displays the intensity and the severity of what is at stake for both boys.
5. Close up shot isolates Jasper at the point in time he says, "I just want to go home." This emphasizes the loneliness, sorrow, and desperation he feels.
6. Final shot - both characters exit scene together.
Sound
Johnny Clips Audio Gain
Jasper Clips Audio Gain
The unedited sound featured varying volume levels, cricket noises, loud footsteps and white noise.
I began trying to edit the audio by ungrouping the audio from the video. after that was done, I used the razor tool to slice the audio segments to separate the speaking parts from any dead and/or white noise.
I had to even out the audio as much as possible so nothing was too quiet or too jarring (obvious intrusive white noise.
Unedited Audio
Edited Audio Gain
Final Edited Audio
Unfortunately, the background noise still obstructed the clarity of sound overall. I researched online, and I found an app called Descript that would take my audio and with a 'Studio Sound' button will remove all the background noise. It worked amazingly. I still had to slice the audio a bit to make certain parts louder but once I did that the quality in sound was infinitely better.
