Evaluation; Question 7

QUESTION 7The preliminary task allowed us to understand the 180 degree rule, what an action match is and how to film a shot reverse shot.

Looking back at your preliminary

task (the continuity editing task), what

do you feel you have learnt in the

progression from it to full product?

PRELIMINARY VS. FINAL The preliminary task was relatively easy, and required very

little work. The filming and editing of the preliminary task altogether took around two hours.

The opening sequence on the other hand took much longer to both film and edit. One of the reasons why is because we filmed the opening sequence from four different locations at four different times of the day. This meant it took over two weeks to complete. Another reason is because of the detailed editing and the in-depth research and planning we were required to carry out before we could start any of the practical work. The opening sequence required us to compose our own music and design our own production logos, on top of piecing together the bits of film in order to make our final product.

PRELIMINARY VS. FINALWhen filming the preliminary task the only decisions that were undertaken were those regarding camera work, although even those were only briefly taken into account. Also, our filming of the preliminary task was very limited as we knew little about the different shots (we were only familiar with mid-shots, close-up shots and long-shots) and it was also the very first time we used an editing software (i.e. Final Cut Pro). There were no decisions regarding mise-en-scene or representation of the different social groups. This all made the task relatively simple as no planning or skills were required. However, when filming the final product it was clear the process of making it would be much more demanding. This was mainly due to the nature of the task itself. The film opening was much longer (2 minutes) than the preliminary task (30 seconds) and meant every step of the production process had to be carefully planned to ensure success. It had to be planned not simply because of the excess amount of work involved but because every decision we made meant something. The task wasn’t just to film but to be able to tell a story through all four media aspects (camera work, mise-en-scene, editing and sound).

SETTING

Preliminary task:

Had to make use of the surrounding area (school) didn’t have many options as to

the mise-en-scene which wasn’t very ideal.

Final product:

Able to film anywhere we wanted. We chose to do three establishing shots in the form of a time lapse to show that everything that is about

to happen will take place in the city (London). This was also due to the fact our main character was of middle-class background and the vast majority of middle-classed people choose to live in the city.

Furthermore, from our research we found that most crime and mystery films take place in busy cities, and so we decided to conform to this

particular convention.

DECISIONS CLOSELY

CONFORMED TO RESEARCH !!!

CASTING

Preliminary task:

no thoughts into casting. When filming our preliminary task we

made no choices regarding casting, and just used the

people we were put into groups with as actors.

Final product:

casting decisions closely informed by research. When making our final product we

realised casting was essential for building representation, and therefore chose someone with an olive skin tone to play our

Mexican antagonist.

MISE-EN-SCENEPreliminary task:

no consideration into mise-en-scene. We didn’t consider any props or the surrounding area that we filmed in. Also, there

was no thought into the costume. The actors were filmed in what they decided to wear to

college on that day.

Final product:

we identified through our research that the mise-en-scene is used to

form representations, and so decisions had to be made

accordingly. We ensure that the costume was carefully chosen. Our actor wore a black and white suit

which indicates that his wealthy and has a good job. We took into

consideration props that had a negative representation and that could be easily associated with

criminal activity.

CAMERA WORK: PRELIMINARY TASK

A wide range of shots was not used, and the

shots were not used as a way of creating meaning. Only three types of shots

were used: close-up shots, long shot and mid-

shot.

CAMERA WORK: FINAL PRODUCTA variety of shots used to create meaning and entice the

viewer/s.

Two close up shots to show the time. This was done to put emphasis on the fact that

to this character time is of essence.

An over-the-shoulder shot to allow the audience to pay attention to the

setting and to allow them to see what the character is looking at.

 We used a jump cut to make this particular

scene appear more stimulating to the audience. Having a whole scene of the character getting

dressed would bore the audience.

OVERALLI have gained many skills from the production of the film opening. I have learnt how different shots create can help create a meaning and can represent a particular character or object in a certain way, a way which stimulates the viewers. I found I was mainly interested in editing, and lacked skills in sound and camera work. I felt that the people in my group had skills very similar to mine, and therefore next year I would like to work with different people, especially those who are really good at sound and camera work.