Preliminary Evaluation

Evaluation

In the task we were given to do we were asked to create a short video showing what we had been learning in our lessons and how we can adapt that to our own work, this was a starter as we make our own thriller. We had to used a variety  of shots for an example, over the shoulder shot, close up shot, long shot, tracking shot and we also had to  follow the 180 rule (this is where two actors have to have the same left and right), continuity, shot-reverse-shot (showing points of view from each character). Our video includes a variety of events actions for example opening a door, the movement of sitting down on a chair and having a two way short dialogue. Our video consisted of two actors, The actress walks down the corridor and walks in to a meeting room where she is approached by a actor who gives her a book where she flicks through it and walks off and says thank you. 

In our video what was successful was our filming, We used an iPhone 5  to film our film. originally we used a camera from the media room however, we agreed the quality wasn't as good so we re-recorded it and it showed clearer quality. A challenge in our video  was organising  a setting which at times seemed difficult since we were unsure of where would be a suitable area that we would have permission to film, however after re filming twice we came to a place where we could had a continuous video in the same setting. In our video we had a well-lit corridor and meeting room where we were able to have bright lighting to show clear detail in our piece.

 Our first shot was  a low angle tracking shot of my feet. We decided to do this because it was leaving mystery of whom the character is and what they look like this is very typical in the thriller genre so we were practising our ideas for our  film. We also decided  this would create tension for the audience building up to climax . The low angle also makes the actor feel they have power and makes the audience feel intimidated, the use of a tracking shot shows realism because  it makes the audience feel involved. 

Personally i felt our video was ok, however i felt it was a bit rushed as we had to keep re filming because of room situations. Although, i felt this wasn't such a bad thing as we gained more experience and were improving our videoing and editing skills. If we had more time i would of put more dialogue in to our video and also some non-diegetic sound in to the film. Putting all our edits together i thought was successful as it comes across as professional as it is smooth.

After our close up tracking shot of the feet we moved on to having a long shot of me coming down the corridor this we felt this was a establishing shot as it is giving the audience a sense of where the scene is set and what i am up to. We used the idea of a long shot because it meant that the audience couldn't see my face straight away so they couldn't make much judgement about me. I felt this was successful however if i had to re-record this i would of walked slower creating more tension of what i looked liked to the audience.

We then used an over the shoulder tracking shot as i approached the door, we used this because it was from my point of view meaning the audience could get involved as it makes them feel in the scene. As i approached the door we had an extreme close up of me opening the door, we had to involve this in our piece. However, we used a extreme close up to show the audience in what i was doing, as you notice i open the door very slowly this is because it is building tension of who and what is going to be on the other side of the door, this was keeping the audience ‘on their toes’. After i enter the room the shot is the point of view from the other actor meaning it is reaching to climax and unraveling of what the other character looked liked, this was a successful part of our piece because it meant the audience were questioning themselves.  The silence of the piece before the other character is revelled comes across as what about to happen is important as yet the other character hasn't introduced themselves.

After this we had a mid shot of the two characters sitting across from one another at a meeting table this conveys to the audience in what about to happen is very serious. As this happens the two actors exchange a short duologue.  After this we have a close up of what is being given, this is to show detail in what is happening. If we had more time i would of put more dialogue in to our video and also some non-diegetic sound in to the film.  However, Putting all our edits together i thought was successful as it comes across as professional as it is smooth.

As i flick through the book we used an high over the shoulder angle this is so that the audience can look at what I'm looking at however it is to quick for them to read anything meaning they will be questioning themselves what the book is about.

As i leave the room we show an over the shoulder from Aaron's perspective this is where we use the 180 degree rule successfully. At first we found this shot challenging on weather we had used the rule correct or not. As you can see we used continuity throughout our performance such as clothing and the scene we did this to make it look professional and realistic.  

For our editing we used iMovie, which we all found very challenging as we were importing and exporting our video however after uploading the video we found the editing easy. As we hadn't had much experience on iMovie we stuck to basics of editing as we didn't have the time to re edit it, this meant we did minimal editing effects however this wasn't such a bad thing because if you do too much editing it can become unprofessional. We changed our video in to black and white to give it a sinister affect and to show how we can use iMovie.

Over i think our Our preliminary was success as terms of the footage, variety of shots we used and the short dialogue we used.  I think in future we should use of timing better, this is essential for creating a film otherwise you feel under pressure. For our shots and shot list when we create our film it is essential to stick to it as if not you are less structured and likely to lose marks. I would suggest Planning ahead and in detail enabled us to know what exact shots we wanted, where we wanted them and what was going to happen in the shot. This helped us begin filming. 

I feel that i have learnt a lot  from this  task. What i have learnt is that you need a variety of shots in a film to create tension to the piece. Another thing i have learnt is about continuity about same clothing and same area filming. However, if you are doing two different scene you don't need to have continuity if you show it is a different period such as the next day etc. I think our group struggled with continuity in some areas while filming because  sometimes we are standing marginally out of place from the other shot. All what we have done wrong and improved on and what we are strong with will lead us to film our thriller and remind us to keep aware of issues  that can happen and that can be easily prevented such as continuity and setting. With the editing side of things I have learnt how to use the software iMovie, how to use and apply effects and transitions and how to edit footage within it. This will help me and my group to be able to use that when it comes to our thriller film and make it more sufficient.