Technical elements: Sound & Editing

As I’ve stated before, representing the main character is major for coming-of-age openings as the genre is based on the emotional growth of that specific character. The problem I want to represent in my character is that she is someone who struggles with desiring an image of simplicity and order that she cannot always maintain. I plan to utilize technical elements of  editing and audio layering as storytelling devices within my opening. 

Editing

To represent my character and the story,  I want to start out with slow-paced editing and as the opening progresses, speed up the pace of the editing. I knew I wanted to do this to juxtapose calm and chaos but I also wanted to have more info on how exactly this would impact viewers. 

I found this article with a lot of great information:

https://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=2233986

To sum it up, the article reaffirmed the effect that I was hoping this manipulation of editing pace would have: 

Slow pacing can represent calm but can also create feelings of anticipation. This will also convey the tension that is associated with the character trying to keep up her facade. 

Rapid Pacing represents intensity and gives the viewer almost no time to think. This will emphasize the chaotic actions that the character does without even realizing she has dropped her facade. In a way, the faster pace will show how absorbed the character is in her work.  

Audio Layering

To represent my character through sound, I want to start the opening with quiet and then have the character's inner thoughts slowly increase as she works. Eventually, I want to have different thoughts of hers overlap over each other to give a jumbled and disordered vibe (I’m so sorry I said “vibe” I can’t think of another way to communicate this). 

I’ve watched Youtube videos on how to add/adjust audio layers and make audio all the same volume on adobe premiere pro (which is what I will be using) and so far it seems like this idea is possible. 

Here are the links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yKgrxEYxds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAQbLnz3F3k

I will have to experiment with this plan more but as of right now that is my idea. My back up plan if the audio does not work is to use music and either increase the volume progressively or find a song that builds in intensity. 

Sources:

How to Make All Voices and Audio Same Level ... - Youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yKgrxEYxds. 

Peachpit, https://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=2233986. 

Premiere pro - Adding and Adjusting Audio Layers - Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAQbLnz3F3k.