Evaluation Question 7

What have you learnt since your preliminary task

After re watching our preliminary task, it is clear that our filming techniques have massively improved. When filming the preliminary tasks, we learnt basic techniques on how to use the camera and tripod effectively to produce good shots, and camera rules that must be applied such as the 180 degree rule. We also learnt basic editing techniques on final cut pro, however at this stage our knowledge of the extent of how editing can develop a production was limited as I did not attempt to use a lot of the software that was available. When filming the real production, we put a lot more effort into the shots we used, taking full advantage of the tripod, making sure it was steady for each shot unless we wanted to apply the shaky handheld effect (used frequently in the party sequence). We were not aware of how the shots we used would effect the end production however when filming the final production we were very aware of how we were using the camera in order to make the audience feel as part of the film, such as the party sequence, we had one cameraman with a dolly on a tripod taking wide shots to capture the whole party, and another cameraman walking around with a camera for close up shots and a handheld effect to capture the party as well make the audience feel as part of the production. 2 cameramen were essential in this to collect a large range of shots, unlike our preliminary task where we did not take enough shots and had to improvise what shots we used. After each production filmed, the importance of having as many different shots in the same scene largely increases, as it allows for more effective editing to occur as there is a wider range of shots to chose from. In the next production I film I intend to take many more shots to allow a constant flow of angles tightly edited together in continuity editing. I believe we managed to achieve this in our latest production, especially in the party sequence.

Many of the shots we used in the preliminary task were out of focus and tilted. The pans, tilts and rolls were unsteady and shaky. We were only made aware of this during the editing process and could not re-film, so we were forced to use the shots we filmed with. From this I learned the importance of spending time to achieve a good shot, instead of taking one without making sure the camera was steady, even and including everything I wanted to include. This was an important lesson to learn as the frustration when editing the production and realising the shot didn't work was greater than the effort into the time spent into making the shot an effective one. Underestimating the importance of shots like I did in the preliminary task cannot occur in the making of a real production where shots need to be perfect and there has to be many of them. Also this way I can show the scene from different angles and perspectives and edit them together into one scene so that it appears as a continuous flow. Continuity editing is vital in presenting a good production, I have learnt the importance of this since my preliminary task.

Before shooting the preliminary task, we had an idea of what the plot would be and where we were shooting and the actors we would use. We were relatively blind in what we were doing and the plot changed several times during the filming so the shots we used would make sense. We learnt from this when editing the preliminary as it seemed almost comical to how much we lacked planning.When filming the real production, we undertook weeks of planning, organising everything from the costumes used, to the locations, to the shots, and the music and many other things that needed planning. This extensive use of organisation massively improved the result of our production as we required a relatively large range of actors and it was vital that we scheduled our shooting to include everyone that was willing to take part. This involved a great deal of having to re schedule as our lead actors kept dropping out, involving huge amounts of organisation on our part to ensure everyone was available. We also had to be aware of the time of day of our shooting, for example our opening scene had to be timed so that the tide was out so the beach was available, the weather had to be sunny and the time of day had to look like it could be morning. Our scene following the club also had to be timed so that it would appear as though it was the middle of the night. Although it was only around 7pm, we managed to achieve this by not including shots of any background characters so that it appeared as though the streets were dead and the girls were alone.

The preliminary task made me realise that in a way, simplicity is key when shooting a student production. The attempts to complicate plot lines and achieve a 'real' movie feeling usually results in the production appearing more amateur and unprofessional. Although not achieving this in my final production due to the fact that I had to join a different group, I would have taken advantage of the fact that we didn't have the equipment required to achieve a professional looking film, and made it clear that it was a student production, but a good one. Minimal camera movement to prevent unsteady pans, tilts and rolls, but a multitude of shots used to allow for fast paced editing as well as a relatively simple plot line easy to follow along. Unfortunately the group I joined did not want to achieve this element of simplicity and our end result seemed more like a 2 minute student production instead of the opening 2 minutes to a film, however when filming my next production I will fully be aware of my limitations and the way my production will feel.