Preliminary task: Analysis and Self-Reflection

For this task we had to reflect on our preliminary task and we had to give ourselves a raw mark out of 10 for how effectively we employed the following skills: shot/reverse shot, match on action, the 180 degree rule, zoom, tilt, panning shot and handheld filming. We then have to write an extended description of how you employed that technique, what it added to your film and how it affected the way your audience responded to that part of your film. We then have to write about  filming during the preliminary process and What mistakes are you going to avoid when constructing your final film?
We also have to say about what we have learned about editing during the preliminary process and What skills do you think are going to be most useful to you when editing your final film? We finally had to say about how we could improve our film.



Shot/reverse shot - 6/10. We used shot/reverse shots in the first part of our film. We created a shot/reverse shot by taking a shot of something and then turning the camera 180 degrees and taking another shot. We used shot/reverse shots in the scene in the first part of our film when Ella and Marco were talking. We decided to use shot/reverse shots as it engages the audience and gave them the sense of feeling as if they are in the film and the conversation taking place. Shot/reverse shot was also good as it did not distort the audience's sense of location of the characters in the shots.



Match On Action - 8/10. We used match on action throughout both parts of our film. We made a match on action shot by taking one shot and then by taking another shot making sure the subject is portraying the same action as in the first shot. This gave the sense that the film was more fluid and by giving a continuous sense of the same action as opposed to matching two things together. By using match on action the audience feels a sense of continuity throughout the film as match on action creates a 'visual bridge' which draws the audiences attention away from slight cutting or continuity issues and thus it kept the audience engaged throughout the film. 



The 180 degree rule - 7/10. We used the 180 degree rule in the conversation scene of the first part of the film. We made a 180 degree rule by drawing an imaginary 180 degree line and made sure this line was perpendicular to the camera's viewpoint. We also made sure to only film on one side of the line and made sure not to cross the line as it would break the rule and it would distort the audiences view. The 180 degree rule enforces continuity of the film and it also allows the audience to have a greater sense of location in the scene. 



Zoom - 




Tilt - 2/10. We used tilt in the second part of the film. We used this to address Marco when he walked in the room to meet Ella. Tilting was created by moving the camera lens up and down while keeping the camera on a vertical plane. Tilting is used to make someone look superior ans very significant.



Panning - 8/10. We used a panning shot in the second part of the film when showing the lockers. We created a panning shot by slowly moving the camera from left to right. Panning was used to add contrast into our film as the scenes before this were outside so this implies that the scene is now taking place inside. Panning shot shows the vastness of someone or something - in this case it was the lockers.



Handheld Filming - 7/10. We used handheld filming throughout the fist part of the film. Handheld filming means making the camera more mobile and it is used for following the action of a scene. This gives the effect of the audience being in the scene.




2.) Throughout filming this preliminary task I have learned many things about what I am going to do for my final film and what things I should include. For example, for my final film I would use an external microphone when filming the dialogue as I have noticed that it was very difficult to pick up on what the characters were saying as you could hear a lot of background noise which made it difficult to hear what was going on in the film. We would also use a tripod in most of the scenes in the final film as in the preliminary task we didn't have a tripod in the first part of the film - making it difficult to keep the camera steady - especially in conversation parts of the film, making the audience feel distorted and confused.


3.) Throughout editing this preliminary task I have learned many skills that I am going to use in my final film. For example, transitions, titles, sound effects etc. I am going to be using transitions in my final film as it provides a smooth and fluid transition from one scene to another and this doesn't confuse the audience as much as just cutting and matching two scenes together. I will be using titles in my film so the audience know who the director is, who the actors are etc. I will also be using sound effects and background music in my final film. I will be using sound effects and background music because it can make a scene seem sad or happy judging by the music that is used. I will find transitions most useful in my final film as it will help me to cut to a different scene very easily and will not confuse the audience.


One key way to improve my work would be to use a tripod as this ensures the camera is steady at all times and does not confuse the audience