Film school:Narrative Dialog Editing:Story of Penny and Eggbert:Narrative music

L-Cuts vs. Narrative music

Before we start learning about editing for narrative film music, remember this is not the same as creating simple "L-Cuts". There is a difference

When we make a motion picture, we edit the audio and the picture so the conversation has a natural rhythm. Then we create "L-Cut" to make the picture less ugly.

Now we need to add very strong music to provide the mood for the motion picture. This requires a different kind of editing.

Editing for narrative film music looks very similar to creating "L-Cuts". However, there is a difference.

These two steps look similar. Don't get confused. There is a difference

Let's compare

Take a quick glance at the two pictures. Do you see the difference?

One demonstrates how "L-Cuts" are created and the other shows how narrative music is added.

As you can see, these are two totally different concepts.

Edit for Picture

Dialog Editing - "L-Cuts"

This is what happens when you create simple "L-Cuts"

To create a simple edit, you edit for sound, lock sound, roll the picture edits to get the best visual transition (under the circumstance) without loosing lip sync.

Edit for Music

Film scoring - Narrative film music

This is what happens when you add narrative music

Edit for sound, put the clips apart, insert room tone, add narrative music, roll the picture edits to get the best visual transition (under the circumstance) without loosing lip sync.

Keep this in mind

There is a different.

When you insert narrative film music into a scene, remember, this is not the same as creating simple "L-Cuts".

Step 1 - Add a gap in the dialog

In between sentences (or wherever you wish), pull apart the pieces of the rough edit.

Add the gap

Narrative music is sound strong, it needs a gap in the dialog.

Step 2 - Fill in the gap with picture

I rolled (expanded) the clip on the end by unrolling more of the footage. This filled the gap.

Adding room tone

Without room tone, the audio will sound very bad.

Step 3 - The room tone

The silence will sound bad.

Adding room tone

Without room tone, the audio will sound very bad.

Step 4 - Add the music

Add the narrative music to fill the gap.

Add the music

The music should fill the gap completely so that the pause in the dialog seems totally natural.

Keep this in mind

There is a difference.

From what you just saw, editing dialog so you can insert narrative film music between the sentences of the dialog is very different from creating simple "L-Cuts".

The next page

That ends the theory. Now you must create the music and perform the edit. Click here to go to the next page.

If you have any questions

Your instructor for filmmaking classes is Robert Elliott.

If you have any question, click here to email me.