Preliminary evaluation

http://www.slideshare.net/carmeldavenport/as-preliminary-evaluation

The link above is my preliminary evaluation that I have completed.

Preliminary Task Short Film

After a lot of filming and editing we have finally completed our film. I am pleased with the results but as always, there is room for improvement.

Filming Issues...

I thought that filming part of our preliminary task would be easy. Just film what we needed and that was it. I didn't realise how many problems we would encounter...

The main problem our group encountered was the continuity of our piece. People in our group forgot to wear the same clothing which meant we couldn't film on certain days. If the clothing changed from shot to shot, the continuity would be disrupted and the piece wouldn't be realistic.

Another issue was when our teacher was out on a school trip. He accidently took the keys for the camera cupboard with him. After searching all over the place for them, we realised we couldn't film. An entire hour of filming was lost. We couldn't edit either as the footage was still on the camera.

When we finally got into the cupboard, we attempted to put the footage onto the computer. Upon putting the SD card into the computer, we discovered that the film was gone. Whether it was deleted or the SD cards were swapped, we will never know.

We have to make up for lost time and missing footage, so we better get filming...

Location of Filming

Before we start to film  our preliminary task, we need to find a place to film it in. Taking into consideration the fact that classes will take place while we film, we had to find a place that would be available when we needed it. We also had to find a place that fit in with our storyboard - corridors and a dark cupboard.

 



 

This is the English departments store room. We decided that this would be appropriate to use as the cupboard featured in our storyboard. It is largely disused and therefore we would not be disturbed while filming.

It also comes across as menacing. The area is very cramped giving a sense of claustrophobia and fear which suits our storyboard. Once the lights were turned off it created the sinister and gloomy effect we were looking for. A perfect place for our kidnapper to hide her victim!





This is the area where the store room is located (the store room is the open door). This will be the backdrop of the kidnapping. Due to it being a dead end, it suggests that the victim will not be able to escape, making the shots even more effective.

This picture depicts bright, airy corridors. This sharply contrasts with the other, much darker, locations. This will be where the victim walks along giving her a sense of vulnerability and an easy target which is exactly what we were looking for

This corridor also produces the same effects. The bright vivid colours also emphasise this.








We carefully considered our locations. Now we only need to do the filming!

 

Storyboarding

 

 

As part of our continuity task, we have to create a storyboard of our short clip of film. Our final film is a opening to a thriller so we decided to play with this in our preliminary task as practice. We decided to make it into a hostage situation between two people. Our storyboard is as follows:

 

 

Our storyboard shows the camera shots that we will use in the short film clip. Although the drawings and notes are basic, they describe the shot types and the camera movements needed.

 

The storyboard will help us keep on track and show us which shots should go where when we reach the editing stage. It will also help us manage our time effectively to ensure that all the shot are filmed how we want them to be filmed.

 

However, we can still make changes to the film as the storyboard is a rough guide rather than an exact representation of what we must follow.  

Preliminary Production Task

 

Before making our final film, the short thriller opening, we must know how to use the cameras and all the different shots.

 

Our task is to create as small continuity piece involving filming and editing an interaction between characters. The basics of this piece must include a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down opposite another character which whom he/she exchanges dialogue with. The task should demonstrate match-on-action, shot/reverse shot and the 180 degree rule.

 

In order to do this I have to understand the things need to complete the task so I had ago at taking stills with these conditions involving my younger brother.

 

 

This animated gif I made demonstrates match-on-action. Match-on-action is the film and editing technique where one shot cuts to another view that matches the first shot's action. it gives the impression of continuous time action. this is a form of continuity editing. I believe that my attempt at match-on-action was very successful and I will use this skill in the continuity task I will complete.

 

 

 

 

 

The 180 degree rule is a basic guideline that states that two characters in the same scene should always have the same left-right relationship to each other throughout (see image).

 

 

I will use these skills in my continuity task as a practice and in preparation for the final project I must do. To complete this task I will be working with Tasmine Benton, Darby Abberley and Lois Woodward.

 

 



Shot Practice

Camera Shot Compositions

Framing a shot: practice with stills

 

 

 

Mid shot: shows the character from waist upwards. Emphasises the facial expression of the character but includes some of the background. 

 

 

 

Shot Practice

Camera Shot Compositions

Framing a shot: practice with stills

 

 

Long shot showing background: shows the frame's background that is dominated by the tree. Draws attention away from the character.



 

 

 

Shot Practice

Camera Shot Compositions

Framing a shot: practice with stills

 

 

 

Long shot using rules of thirds: makes both characters dominated by their surroundings but draws the eye towards them while considering the background.



 

 

 

 

Shot Practice

Camera Shot Compositions

Framing a shot: practice with stills

 

 

 

Extreme close up: shows the antagonist attacking the protagonist. Emphasises the action between the characters.



 

 

 

Shot Practice

Camera Shot Compositions

Framing a shot: practice with stills

 

 

Low angled shot: the protagonist dominates the frame making her look intimidating to the frame's point of view.

 

 



 

Shot Practice

Camera Shot Compositions

Framing a shot: practice with stills

 

 

 

Establishing shot: establishes that the location is a school. 

 

 

 

Shot Practice

Camera Shot Compositions

Framing a shot: practice with stills

 

 

 

Two shot: shows the antagonist (arms crossed) confronting the protagonist (front facing). Gives antagonist a menacing look while the protagonist looks intimidated. 

 

 

Shot Practice

Camera Shot Compositions

Framing a shot: practice with stills

 

 

Long shot using leading lines: draws the eye to the character, making her look inferior.



 

 

 

 

Shot Practice



Camera Shot Compositions

Framing a shot: practice with stills

 

 

 



Long shot: shows character and some of the background. Character is dominated by the tree in the background.