Before we started our preliminary task, we were given a sheet which stated the requirements for the preliminary task. This included different types of shots we needed to included, a basic story line template for us to follow, and a set of basic instructions. After filming the requirements, we were then asked to use basic editing techniques such as match-on-action, and shot transitions.
By doing this preliminary task I have learned that planning and structure is a significant key towards being successful in reaching the purpose. Our group didn’t really plan our story; this caused complications as we had to improvise for the whole production. This resulted in our production not being very well structured, and not reflective of our true potential. If we had planned it we would have possibly been able to include more kinds of shots and a more interesting/ thought out story line. Also, if we had planned it better we would have had more shots to edit, which would have allowed us to use more editing techniques. Also, by doing this task I’ve learned that editing is a very important thing in film making.
By editing something one way or another you can change the viewer’s whole perception of the production. In our match on action shot, we had to cut/trim both clips so that the two shots became one, and flowed. I edited this quite well so it looked as though it flowed, however it would have looked better if it was trimmed a little shorter. We used editing software on the computer to edit our production. The editing software allowed us to trim shots, change the order of the shots so that they went together better, and make the shots transition better from one to another. For example, we dissolved one shot into another. The phone call between the two characters went well because we planned it so they were effectively facing each other, by following the 180 degree rule. This is significant because if they weren’t facing each other it would look wrong, and almost miss matched as they would look to be speaking away from each other. When the character answered the phone she was facing away from the other character, but she turned as she answered it. In addition to this, when the characters were speaking face to face we again followed the 180 degree rule, as well as using shot reverse shots when they were talking.
I think the overall filming of the preliminary task went well. I think this because we included everything that we needed to, and we got a variety of different shots in there such as; over the shoulder shots, shot reverse shots, establishing shots, long shots, mid shots, close ups and many others. A thing that didn’t go so well regarding editing was the length of the individual clips/shots. At the beginning of the production there are a couple of shots which last for a length of time which could have been cut down. In addition to this there were also some unnecessary shots of the same thing, but at different angles. Again, this was mainly at the beginning; however the production would have been better if they weren’t included.
Working in a group, we took a successful approach to this task. We all contributed and helped with the making and editing. Things that didn’t work well in the group were distributing the different aspects of the work evenly. For example only two out of the five people were in the task, and only 3 of the 5 people used the camera and had chance to film and gain experience with it.
