The 17th - Preliminary Task Evaluation

The 17th Evaluation

For the preliminary task, we were asked to produce a piece of footage were the character had to walk through a door, approach another character and then exchange two sentences of dialogue. The task had to include three principles of continuity which were: match-on-action, shot/reverse shot, and the 180 degree rule. Match-on-action is when a character opens a door and begins to walk through it, and then is shown from a different angle coming through the door, at exactly the same pace. The shot/reverse shot is usually used when two characters are in conversation and shows one character (usually over the shoulder of the other) whilst each are talking to one another. The final principle was the 180 degree rule is used so that the characters always have the same right-left relationship. If demonstrated correctly, it will look like both characters have remained on the same sides throughout the scene.

We decided on our idea by comparing both of the storyboards that we put together and seeing which would be the most effective. It was also decided on which would be the easiest to demonstrate the three principles.

After we had chosen the idea, we sat down and looked at the storyboard and then wrote out a list of props, locations, and dialogue. It was then down to the process of elimination to again choose which would be the most effective. It was hardest to decide on a location to film, as most of the suitable locations were already taken. In the end we decided to film in the school toilets, and work with what we had. It was easy planning on from then as we found two friends that were willing to act in our filming, and the clothes they were wearing were already suitable enough.

We had decided that, learning from previous mistakes we would film each piece of footage at least three times with variations on the shots each time. This would give us more than enough to edit to a high standard due to the footage we could choose from. We also knew to take a tripod, as a previous film piece could have looked a lot better without constant unsteady shots. We both filmed equal amounts of footage, and all the footage we were happy enough to take into editing.

When we started editing, we were satisfied with the amount of options we had to choose from due to the amount of footage we had filmed. We decided that it would be more effective to start with a variation of very quick shots from different angles showing the character leading up to the match-on-action. We edited this very well, and the effect we were looking for was there. As we took a ‘no-nonsense’ approach to the filming we left ourselves plenty of time to get the editing sorted. We had finished before anyone else in the class, and we had spare time to add more effects to our already ‘finished standard’ piece.

We decided that the whole piece would look better in black and white, to give that extra feeling to the film. We also decided that the film needed some background music which we created and added in, and we were more than happy with how much better it looked and sounded with that in, as the score created a better atmosphere. We were very pleased with the final piece, and we believed that it was to a very high standard. The best part was the match-on-action which worked extremely well due to the editing. Finally, the only thing I would change would be, possibly have more of an opportunity with the location.