Beth Reszke's evaluation of the preliminary task

Evaluation of the Preliminary Task

Through undertaking the preliminary task, I have used the cameras and editing software and discovered what works well for me and what doesn’t. The outcome of this results in a complete short film, but will also have mistakes that I can learn from. Doing the preliminary exercise enables me to go on to more practical productions with enhanced knowledge and understanding of the steps taken in terms of the camera to produce a successful film.

Understanding of the technology

I have learnt how important it is to set the white balance for every different location, as the difference in colour can be seen more easily when editing, and the quality of the whole video is reduced. It is also important when using the camera to make sure it is level, and the right height intended for the shot, and to take time to think about how to make camera movement as smooth as possible (eg. Pans, tilts and tracking shots). To combat this, we took a great number of shots that were as perfect as we could so that we can choose the preferred one when editing. When helping with the editing processes, it was a program which was not familiar to us, and therefore had to experiment with it and learn how it works. We found that there was an incredibly wide range of effects that could be done using imovie, but to make our film look more professional and well put together, we decided to keep the transitions simple by using straight cuts and no special effects. I found that this was good for our film, but I am aware that these are available to us if we require them in other practical productions. (Fade transitions, for example are more likely to be used than other effects.) When it came to the final step of our video, which was adding our own soundtrack made using the garageband program, we did experience a few problems with importing our music to the video. However, we have now realised what went wrong and I feel confident about doing this in future.

My personal input to the production

My main responsibility within the group was operating the camera, as well as Rachel. Half of the shots that were used I had to construct from looking at the storyboard as well as thinking about our ideas for the film as a whole and seeing what would be best in our location to achieve the best composition of the shot. I filmed the shots that were set outside, and Rachel filmed the inside shots. Shots of the feet walking were filmed by me and I had to consider the 180 degree rule and the composition within the frame as I did this. I thought about which different angles we should shoot from in order to give ease to the editing process as there will be a wider variety of shots to choose from, and many of them will be better than others. However, before this I also input my ideas to the group in the early stages of production and contributed to the ideas that went into the storyboard. As a group, we went to look for locations around the college to set our shots before we started filming and storyboarding, and through doing this I could contribute and offer my ideas about what would make a good shot and how we could film it in that location later on. While Amy was the main editor, I helped her create the music and edit as I had knowledge of the shots and which ones I thought would be best to use as well as give a second opinion of her choices of cuts and timings to achieve the best for the ideas we had as a group.

Group understanding of continuity strategies

Doing the preliminary task was a practical introduction to what we had been taught, and so remembered to consider the elements of mise en scene and continuity. When filming on different days, we had to ensure that the actors were wearing the same clothes and had exactly the same appearance as before. We also had to make sure that outdoor shots were done on one day, or two days with similar weather conditions and at the same time of day so that it seems as if it is the same day when the video is edited. As a group, we had to show an understanding of these methods in our film:

• Match on action
• 180 degree rule
• Shot/reverse shot

We discussed as a group how we can incorporate these into our overall ideas for the film. We successfully used a ‘match on action’ technique a couple of times in the video. One of them, where the subject walked up to a door, and with the use of different shots we showed them reaching for the door handle and the door handle opening on both sides of the door before they enter the room. Another example included a person picking up a phone. We first see a close up of the hand reach for the phone on the table, and then the hand being brought up to the face to answer the phone. By doing match on action shots, we have learnt to make sure the clips are shot for long enough before and after the action so that there is as much time as possible to experiment with while editing to make sure the sequence matches perfectly. We also had to take the shots a number of times to make sure that we match the speed and pace of the clips correctly as well as lighting, white balance, and details such as costume, props and positioning of objects and subjects in the frame.

To show understanding of the 180 degree rule, we made sure that through shots in all locations the camera was on the correct side of the subject. With the shots of a person walking, this was essential in portraying a sense of direction, as keeping the 180 degree rule will mean that the feet will appear to keep walking in the same direction throughout the film unless the change is shown in one shot.

Our video included an example of shot/reverse shot towards the end when the two characters meet in one room. We have used well composed shots from behind the head of one character, showing the other character in front of them – and then reversed to show the other person. This shows the facial reaction and body expression of both characters to create tension and mood. While using this technique, we also had to remember the 180 degree rule so that the continuity of the sequence is right.

Improvements for the main task

Through doing the preliminary task, we have noticed things that work and thing that don’t. Our mistakes are not to be ignored, but taken on board to remember how to improve it next time. With more time we will be able to make a much better product.

1. When operating the camera, I need to make sure to check the white balance every time we change location to get a much more professional looking finish to the film, and so that the colour looks more accurate.
2. We will also use additional lighting and gels in the correct way in locations where it is needed to create our desired effects in the shot and make it look better quality.
3. Although I think that the composition of the shots we used were good, I think it is important when I frame a shot to think about it, and also do it again from a variety of angles and positions in case we find a better option for the shot, or if our first ideas didn’t work exactly as planned.
4. When editing our video, we experienced problems with adding sound, and this resulted in a soundtrack which suited the tone of the film to some extent, but wasn’t necessarily timed well with the film. Now that we have a greater understanding of the programs we are using, I believe that we can create a better soundtrack which will suit the film and is timed well with the film.
5. Use a whiteboard and film a title and shot number before each shot to make it easier to find clips when editing.