Evaluation of Preliminary

Question 1 - What planning did you do for your filming task?  And how did this planning aid the filming? - 

I planned my preliminary task through storyboards, shot lists, clothing lines and keeping the dramatic part of the scene the same.  Using the storyboards helped us with the filming as it enabled us to remember where we left off, what we still need to do and also it gave us an idea of how the story would turn out.  This improved the filming as it made it easier to do.  Shot lists and clothing lines helped us with the filming as it kept us organised with what we were doing.  When we followed the clothing line and shot list, hardly any shots were repeated because we stuck to the lists, making it easier to complete the task and put it all together, while using a range of different shots.  The final part of out planning was to keep the dramatic ending the same.  This would help our filming as it would fit in with the story line and would also make us keep the same story line and not change, but improve it, as it would take too long if we had to change everything.

Question 2 - What is the 180 degree rule? And how is this rule important in the filming task? -

The 180 degree rule is used where there is a shot reverse shot conversation or a when filming two objects in the same room.  The rule is important in filming because if the rule is broken and the camera passes the 180 degree line between the two characters, the audience then becomes disorientated, making it seem as if they have switched places.  It is important to not break the rule as you want to keep the audience weary of what is going on and not confuse them, because otherwise, it can get confusing and not make sense.

Question 3 - What shot types and camera angles did you use in your filming task, and to what effect?-

We used a range of shot types in our film, such as: - Worms' Eye, High/birds eye shot, Over the shoulder shot, close up, medium close up, extreme close up, pan and 'use of threes'.

These shots created a wide range of atmosphere and effect.Worms' eye view was to create a 'dominant' or 'fearful' atmosphere, in our film we used it to create a 'desperate' effect as the character running was in a lot of trouble and needed to get to the meeting area fast.  The bird's eye view was used to also create a similar effect of 'nervousness' but was used to make the main character look smaller and yet more vunerable.  The over the shoulder shot was used in our film to create an effect of the audience seeing that the character sees and put them in the situation.  The different ranges of close ups; - Extreme, close and medium all showed the characters emotions and brought more drama to the scenes as it builds up tension as the audience can then see the true expression in the characters face.  The pan shot was used as an opening of our film as it was used to show the area that it was held and to give an audience a view of what is in the area, and what it is like.  The final shot we used was the 'use of threes', this shot was used to spark up tension again as in the film it shows the character walking away from the door which he failed to open, the door is then opened as he walks away (and is almost out of the shot).  The character is then realises that it is not over and the tension keeps building as he enters the room to find the other character waiting for him.

Question 4 - What editing skills have you developed?  How confident are you with the editing program? -

I have developed a lot of new editing skills such as clipping films at specific moments and binding the film together from part by part.  I have also learned how to use certain effects like 'fade to black' as I have learned how it effects the film, and also how to put the effect in the right place.

I have used a range off effects to improve my media blog through adding 'meanings' and atmospheres to the film.  For example; - I used black and white for the first half of the film to provide a dream like or dramatic moment as all the colour is stripped away.  There is then a "break" in half of the film as there is a flash of light, and then leaving the rest of the video on colour.  This may show that there has been a 'burst' of reality that has just hit the character and it has become more tense as the audience  can now see the reality and all the colour, instead of black and white.  I also used dissolve transitions in the video to continue the suspense of the character running, instead of it just cutting to the next part.  I have also used dissolve to create an atmosphere of the character running forever as the scenes keep disappearing into each other, creating a effect of the character running into the next scene.  The final effect I used was slow motion, this effect was used to emphasise the action of the character, - for example; - Connor closed the door in slow motion at the end, which was dramatic, and it also slowed down time for the audiences viewing so that they can take it in. 

I am very confident with the editing program as it becomes easy with the basic tools such as the 'razor' tool (which cuts film clips at the parts you want).  I have also built up confidence in the program when binding films together, clip by clip as you have to spend time and concentrate on it, which in the end gets easier with practice as you have two playing screens to help you find the specific moment. 

The areas I would need to improve on however with my confidence is to get the right effects in the right parts of the film.