freeze frames

S

sean90291

Veteran
When I do not have enough "handle" at the end of a shot to satisfy the moment dramatically, I've tried adding a freeze frame, thereby generating a longer dramatic pause. Problem is, of course, it LOOKS like a freeze frame. There's a qualititative difference between an actor standing very still and a freeze frame, and frankly my freeze frames look cheesy. Is there a way to make it look better? Like a creative technique to add to the freeze frame so it looks more artful/filmic?
 
The only thing you could try would be to add some moving film grain to the shot. Personally the stillness of an actor isn't the first thing I notice about a freeze frame, it's the stillness of the artifacting / grain / whatever you want to call it.

I don't think you can add moving film grain inside Avid. You'll need an FX program.
 
You can use Boris, 55mm, and other filter type packages. In video it is more of a noise than grain so use film grain sparingly.

You can always take the last 2 or 3 frames of the clip you want to extend and try editing that in over and over till you hit the desired duration. That might give you just enough motion to sell it.
 
Thanks! I will try both techniques. Is there an effect that makes freeze frames stand on their own (i.e., not disguising them as anything other than a freeze frame--but making the freeze frame look like a freeze frame but a bit more artfully--like a camera flash I suppose--I've seen that technique...wondering if anyone else has some techniques they've used--I'm not even sure yet how to make a camera flash). In the meantime, I'm going to try adding "video noise" and duplicating the last few frames and repeating them.
 
If you mean what I think you mean about the camera flash, then you just need to add a couple of frames of white and the sound of a camera iris opening and closing before your freeze frame footage to sell the effect.
 
Have you tried a soft zoom and pan. A lot of times that will give enough movement with some artsy flair to it.
 
Hey I forgot about trying a soft zoom-pan efect within Avid to make the freeze frame look more ¨alive¨---I will try it.
 
slow motion? maybe start it out regular speed, and slow it down.. take that clip, and i say where you want to, add a "add edit" to cut the clip, and add 50% motion effect under timewarp.. that should buy you some time.. hows that?
 
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