Evaluation of Preliminary Task

Overall, I think that the Preliminary Task went well. As a group, we worked well together and all of us have had an equal input. Each of us focused on our individual strengths, as mentioned in the Group Choices post, but we also had an input with the rest of the decisions to make sure that we were experimenting with things out of our comfort zones. 

I found the filming section of the task quite simple after we had planned the film. There are differences between the storyboard and shooting script compared to the film because we made changes when filming. We added some extra shots because we didn't feel that the film flowed well enough. 

I have learnt how to use basic editing techniques on Final Cut Pro which is software that I have not used before whereas my group members have. This is useful because they could teach me how to use the basics of the software. I learnt how to cut clips, fade, change the length and volume of music. We included more professional aspects of editing like using a Letterbox. 

Overall, I am pleased with how the task went. I think I have gained the skills needed to do the main task. I have found the preliminary task useful because it gave me an insight of what we will have to do for the main task. 

To further develop for the main task, I need to adapt my editing techniques to make them more complex and professional looking. Also we have decided to stay in the same group but we have agreed not to use our group members as actors in the film because it was hard for them to act and to have an input into the filming. In addition, we will improve the quality of our sound by using an external microphone; this will make our dialogue more clear and understandable, as suggested from our audience feedback.

Audience Feedback

Finished Short Film

Storyboard

Shooting Script

Initial Ideas

Group Choices

Match on Action Shot

This is an editing technique used for continually editing. This is when one shot cuts to another but with the same subject matter clearly shown. This is effective because it gives a continuous sense of the same action.
An example of a Match on Action Shot is the first shot being an extreme close up of someone opening a door from the outside and then a cut to the character entering the room on the other side. In this case, the door acts as the subject matter.

Shot Reverse Shot

This is a shot often used during dialogue and conversations between two characters looking and talking directly to one another. Normally from one characters perspective (over the shoulder shot) then switching to the other characters perspective.

Research into the 180◦ Rule

The 180° rule is when the camera shouldn't cross the line of vision. The reason for the rule is because it will disorientate the viewer as the characters position on screen will switch.

Explanation of Preliminary Task

The AS preliminary Task that I have been given is to create a continuity task which involves filming and editing a short clip. The clip has to include three techniques which are, a match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180◦ rule,
The story line of the Preliminary Task  is to film a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character with whom they must have a conversation.