Preliminary Task Evaluation
The Preliminary Task my group and I created was a short clip of a rom-com. In order to do this we created a storyboard of how we intended the clip to be, a shot list of all the shots we were going to use and a script. We also had to consider what props we were going to use and the actors that would be being filmed.
The continuity in our film was sometimes quite bad. This is because there were different props such as mugs and drinks being used in scenes. This happened because we filmed different parts of each scene at different times and did not prepare well enough by brining the same props in again. In one scene there were different background extras in different cuts. This is because some actors were unreliable and only came to one of our filming sessions. Next time our group films something, we will ensure we only use reliable actors and try and film each scene all at once to make sure the same scene does not have different background actors. In one scene, Holly wore a cardigan and as she walked through a door and the camera cut to a different location (the room she walked into) she was wearing a coat. In the extreme shot Sophie wore a cardigan then the shot goes to a close up and there is no cardigan. This is bad continuity because there is nothing indicating that Sophie is going to take her cardigan off.
- Sophie wears cardigan
- Sophie and Nick have mugs
- 5 background actors
- Nick has a water bottle instead of a mug
- Holly wearing black cardigan
- Holly wearing a different black jacket to her previous black cardigan
As part of the task requirement our team had to demonstrate a match on action, shot reverse shot and 180 degree shot. We did include all of these requirements however, some of them are filmed better then others. I am really pleased with the match on action because the transition ran quite smooth from one shot to the next. The cut between each location was realistic and the editing went well although when tracking Holly down the corridor at the beginning of the match on action, the dolly started to wobble as the floor was not very smooth. In order to improve this next time we film, we will put something smooth down on the floor for the dolly to move on.
The camera did pan while having 180 degree rule however, there could be slightly more camera movement. At points during the 180 degree rule it is unclear whether the camera is actually doing the 180 degree rule, although it is definitely only staying one side of the people and not looking the other way which is good as then it will not confuse the viewer.
There is a shot reverse shot (SRS). Although this technically correct, it didn't run very smoothly because the transitions/ editing was not very smooth. In order to improve the shot reverse shot (SRS) the editing needs to be better even though the filming is correct.
I think that our group worked well together. This is because we all put our own ideas into the clip and agreed on what should happen in the clip. However, our actors were not always reliable and that is why there was bad continuity with the background actors. This means that next time our group will work together to come up with actors that we think will be more reliable and next time take into consideration when each scene should be filmed with the actors at times that everyone can commit to.
If I were to film this preliminary task again I would improve the continuity making sure that if parts of a scene were filmed at different times, that it all matched up and flowed well. The editing wasn't always smooth and transitions sometimes didn't help the cuts run smoothly as they were supposed to.
I think the film was planned well because there was a storyboard a shot list and a script. We also created props such as a restaurant sign and menus. The storyboard we created was good because it allowed us to change scenes if we changed our mind about the order or adding/ taking away scenes. This is because we used post it notes. In order to improve the planning slightly, next time it would be a good idea to think about the location slightly more, as this preliminary tasks location was decided very close to the actual filming.
We used transitions in our clip in order to help the cuts run smoothly, although sometimes this worked, sometimes the transitions didn't run smoothly. This could be uncomfortable for the viewer to watch as the film could be quite jumpy. In order to improve the transitions and editing, we need to practice using the software more often. Using the software allowed us to improve are skills as we hadn't used it before. We learnt how to add transitions, audio, and cut clips etc.
I have learnt that sometimes technology is unreliable as at one point the audio of our clip on the software went high pitched, therefore I am happy that each thing that was filmed, was filmed three times each. This also allowed us to pick the clips we thought we best to use in the final film. From the process of constructing this film I have also learnt more about the specific technology/ software I was using and therefore next time I film something I will find the cameras easier to use and the software I used to do the editing easier to use as I now know how to use it correctly.
