Preliminary Task Reflection

For my Preliminary Task I was instructed that it had to be a meeting between two people (minimum) and that the three techniques known as ‘match on action shot’, ‘180 degree rule’ and ‘shot revers shot’. I was asked to create this to test my understanding of the three techniques, see what my camera skills were like and what my editing skills were like.

The first thing that I created was the synopsis (shown below). This outlined what was going to happen and in some cases where certain techniques were going to be used. I added a lot more to this than what I need to in terms of shots used and I put in specific details so that it would match what ideas I had for the script such as a slamming door. I then created the script for my clip. I had two characters one who was very aggressive throughout the entire clips and another who was more pacifistic before razing their voice. I did take into account that I may have a two female or male roles or one of each and I incorporated this into the scripts creation. I tried to make some witty comments within the script so that there was a less serious side to the clip. I hid some alternative meanings into the script so that it was not obvious what was being said. I also tried to keep it clean by using foreign language for words that are not so suitable for younger ages. Finally I created a story board which represented what was going to happen with my story using images from the internet. I numbered them and wrote underneath each image what shot would be used.

The next step was shooting the scenes needed for my clip. I ask to of my pears Amy Braud and Mia Stoces-Brown to act for my preliminary task. We found a room which was not being used and filmed the all the necessary clips that were needed. I allowed them to read off the sheets to make it appear as if one of the characters were doing some school work. They were dressed in normal cloths to make it appear as if it was in an American school. Finally after shooting the clips I needed to edit them so that they made a small clip that flowed and so that I could cut some of the scenes short as I had captured unwanted sections such as laughter.

With the final clip I am happy with how the both Amy and Mia acted as they portrayed the exact emotions that I was trying to express and they followed every request to the letter. I also liked flow of the clip as this made the story understandable. I am also pleased with the quality in which it has turned out. It is not blurred or pixilated making it pleasant to the eye. Most of the procedure was easy to complete as I had already thought of the ideas and how they were going to be completed. The main problem was during the shoot. Although it was fun to do, some of the clips had to be reshot because of laughter or some aspects that I needed was not incorporated in the first shoot of the scene. The clip would be better if there was no clicking noise from the tripod, less wobbly camera movement, sections where I the viewer can see mistakes, unwanted facial expression like smiles or giggling, muddled up lines in dialog and a slight unwanted editing error where it does not run as smoothly as I would like. If I reshot the clip I would loosen the tripod to get rid of the clicking noise, change the way I shot some scenes, get rid of the mistakes in the shots, get rid of the unwanted facial expressions, and redo some editing. This would improve the flow, look and sound of the clip. Most of the equipment that I used I owned and so had used before however, the editing program I have not used much so I was discovering new things about it. This will allow me to do more advanced editing with my clips.