Question 7: Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Preliminary Task:

Continuity task involving filming and editing a character:

• opening a door
• crossing a room
• sitting down opposite another character
• a couple lines of dialogue
• demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and 180 degree rule

Main Task:

Sequence must include:

• titles throughout
• some form of copyright-free soundtrack, including SFX
• evidence of understanding of continuity editing
• clear generic signifiers through character, action, MES, dialogue

Sequence should be based on:

• a single narrative event or idea
• only a few characters
• one location ideally
Things to think about:

CONTINUITY

        1) We had many problems when it came to editing because we did not film everything in  a master shot. When filming the preliminary task, we were focussed solely on fulfilling the brief, but as we wanted to create an interesting opening, I think at times we may have strayed from simple tasks. This meant we had to re-shoot, or add effects. e.g. We added a 'ghosting' effect when Zoe runs away, as she was too far forward and the shot before wouldn't match on action.

        2) Our actress forgot vital parts of her costume, so we spent a lot of time waiting for her to bring the right clothing. In future we should definitly make clear to each other what is expected so we don't waste time sorting everything out.

        3) Using techniques like match-on-action. various angles, cutaways and many others, we gave the audience some variety, so that it wasn't boring camera work. Techniques such as zooms and pans along with a stationary camera provides the audience with different viewpoints and encapsulates them, so that they can engage in the narrative. e.g. The cutaways (pictured right) provide the audience with different point of views; looking on at Zoe, then from the stranger's perspective. Again, we are faced with the binary opposites of interior and exterior, which give create enigma as we know what is inside but not what lurks in the world outside.

PLANNING

        1) We tried to do paperwork, such as shot logs, storyboards, shot lists and a script, all of which were very useful in preparing for the shoot. It meant that we didn't have to stand around thinking about what to shoot and when.

        2) As we filmed in Michael's house, it meant that we had permission to access any areas and it was easy to get there on shoots, as he lives in close proximity to everyone in our group.

        3) Allocating roles was on the most part simple, as we took it in turns to film and edit so roles were generally shared out between us. It was important to try to include everyone, so that it could be a proper group project as opposed to people standing back (although this happened quite a lot at first)

Creating Impact Films on Adobe              Preparing Paperwork with Michael

Winnie and I taking care of equipment

NARRATIVE

        1) I found that the main reasons (apart from continuity errors) that we ended up re-shooting so much was that we didn't use our common sense. We were too focussed on the pleasing the audience's expectations and trying to create seamless continuity that at many times we failed to think logically about what we were actually filming. For example, in our first cut, Zoe looks around the room slowly, even though she was previously running frantically. It is as if she has forgotten the purpose of why she went outside.

 

Similarly, in the prelim, it was unclear why my character was strange- there was no reason, even though it was funny. In the end, I think we were able to rectify the problems in Dark Summer, so the events were logical and made sense but still interested the audience.

Overall, through gathering feedback from teachers and audience members, we have been able to achieve a narrative that follows the brief. I have learnt that it important to plan and research, as this is vital to give any audience something that they want. To create a media product that would be successful in the media industry, it is important to think about continuity and practicality as everything needs to make sense in order for anyone to understand and for the product to attract attention.