Evaluation

Our task for the prelim was to create a short video, making sure we were using continuity editing correctly. We were set to use 3 important rules:

• 180 degree rule

• Shot-reverse-shot

• Match on action

We was asked to include a door being opened  and closed, a person walking across the room, 2 lines of dialog and the plot needs  to be entertaining. We chose to have a cop and robber interrogation scene as this would have suspense/is entertaining and it would be easy for us to make sure we used all of the parts requested.

 

We planned out the video by creating spider diagrams for our ideas, leading on from this was a story board. The story board helped us see what we going to do and where.  On the story board it showed what we would use in our scenes and what type of shots we would be using (i.e. high angle, close up etc.) We wrote what type of effects we will be using when editing, for our example our CCTV effect at the start. Making all of these little notes helped our group become more organised. We realised we didn’t have enough people in our group to film and act so we figured we would ask others from the class, this is why we had Dylan help us out playing the cop. The plans were clear enough for Dylan to understand what was going on and when. From our planning we were able to expand our ideas and be more creative; it gave us a chance to explore.

 

As a group we successfully used all 3 tasks in the correct places to secure we had continuity during the video.  At the start of the video we used a high angle shot so later on when editing we could add effects to make it look like it was a CCTV camera. We used match on action at the start of the video when Dylan opened the door, it followed on to him walking across the room to sit down in a chair. We use an extreme close up on the door handle when having Dylan opening it, because we wanted to try a make the scene dramatic we felt like an extreme close up could do that. Next we used shot-reverse-shot when we had the dialog scene between Ryan and Dylan we chose to have silence on our first shot, during this stage of filming. This was again to build tension but also so we could see Ryan’s body language and his eye contact with Dylan. We was thinking it could also focus on his facial expression, however he had a balaclava on so we made an agreement for him to stare and look mischievous at Dylan. When making sure the 180 degree rule was done correctly, we had to make sure that we were filming on one side of the room. When trying to do this it was harder than we thought, because the location we chose to film in had a lay out of tables in a circle.

 

This was the first time filming and editing for some of us, and because of this we felt like we were quite successful. Firstly we all used our time wisely, we managed to film the video in about an hour. We felt like it was because we worked well as a group and between us had good communication. This is because we were able to show and brainstorm our ideas without fighting or disagreements, this once again leads us to getting sorted and filmed within a good amount of time. Next, all of us was very organised when we had to bring in props, costumes and when we was filming, we knew which part we was filming next and what is involved in the next shot. This helped us be calm and not get stressed. When it came to filming we used all shot that we planned to use, this made things simple and easy for us to understand. Each of us had a certain roles during filming and editing. When filming I was acting but also helped filming (when needed) Ashlea was doing most of the film/directing. Finally Ryan was acting throughout the whole video, along with Dylan. When editing Ashlea made sure the sound was correct, making sure the sounding flowed and made it was clear. Ryan made sure each cut was in the correct order, and if it was smooth. I did effects and lighting. For example when we had our first shot, I added in a CCTV effect. By giving our self-certain roles we felt like we worked well as a team and had everything well planned so we didn’t fall behind.

 

Even though we were quite successful we did have some parts that we could improve on. For example at first we didn’t really know what sort of angles we would use due to shortage of filming equipment, however we soon came over this by talking to our teacher and finding out what was possible. Dylan (who helped us out with acting) lent us his own camera. However we didn’t realise that when transferring the videos on to our chosen computer that it didn’t recognise the file it was stored as. So we had to use a website to convert the type of file it was saved as. Due to this we feel behind a couple of lessons. We soon caught back up and got back on track. From this we have chosen from now on use the schools cameras, so the schools computers recognise the file our footage would be saved as. When shooting the video we did realise how the camera was taking in sound, because of this when it came to editing we found that our dialog was quiet and muffled. We did plan to re-film the scenes with dialog however Dylan’s camera broke and we couldn’t use his camera. We needed his camera because the quality was different and so was the sound compared to the schools camera. In the end we had to try and edit the sound so we could hear it, this ended up with us turning the sound volume to the highest possible volume.

 

If we was to do the task again we would use school cameras, to avoid any technical issues. We would do what we did, use a system of each having a job to do. It helped us get things done quicker and we could focus on certain tasks one at a time. When filming a dialog scene we would make sure the people acting would project their voice so the camera we use can pick it up. This would avoid re filming and would also keep us organised. Overall we completed the task, including all things that needed to be involved.