Targets for Main Coursework

My three targets for the main coursework are to plan more before filming so I am less likely to come across problems. Also, to look at all angles for the shot before filming in case there is a better angle than the one I was going to use. The last target is to be better at capturing so it doesn't take up too much time.

Evaluation

I have learnt a lot about continuity editing, planning, filming and editing. I have learnt how important each stage is and how it can influence something later on, for example when we filmed the conversation wrong we didn't realise until we had to edit and found it too difficult. I think our finished product is very good for people who have never filmed or edited before, especially the match on action when Connor (the first actor) pulls down the door handle and walks through the door. Next time we will record more footage but the main thing I would change is rehearsing the actors more because it took a lot of shots for them to say the correct thing at the right time or do the same action.

Post Production

When we had to capture the shots, we found it difficult because it was hard to find the shots we needed on the camera. This meant that capturing the shots took longer than necessary. We also had a problem because it was difficult to hear and so it was difficult to select and capture the correct shots. However editing ran very smoothly and we finished before we thought we would. I learned a lot about the programmes used for editing and how to edit and put shots together.

Finished Product

Production

Most of the filming went smoothly however we did have to re-film 2-3 times because our footage got lost/deleted. We had a problem when we found that the way we filmed the conversation was too difficult to edit, so we went back and re-filmed which made editing much easier and smoother. At first our storyboard helped us a lot however once we knew the order of the shots we did not need it at all. I learnt that you must have more than one take of a shot and you must really think about where you are going to place the camera around the room.

Preparing for Filming

We found a suitable location which we chose because it was very quiet so there would be little chance of people walking past. It was also useful because the room we used was on the same corridor so we wouldn't need to re-set the camera and tripod. We created a storyboard which showed each shot we planned to take, this included: Connor walking down the corridor, Connor opening the door, Connor and Austin facing each other, shot reverse shots for the conversation, the cut in of Connor's hand and leg and the cut away of Connor walking into the table. We decided to have this as our cut away because we did not have enough time to film outside so we decided to use the same room we filmed the conversation in to save time.

Preliminary Project: Risk Assessment

The corridor is on the top floor so there is no immediate fire exit. However there are fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment. There are some objects on the floor and there are lockers around so people have to be aware. The corridor is by the stairs so people need to be careful. There is a wall of glass next to the corridor so people should be aware. If the tripod is in the middle of the corridor people may trip over the legs so people need t be aware.

Continuity Editing: 180 degree rule, match on action, eyeline match

Continuity editing is when you edit shots so it is smooth and you cannot tell it has been edited. It is also known as invisible editing. It combines 180 degree rule, rule of thirds, “match on action” cuts, “eye line” matches, 30 degree rule, shot reverse shot and graphic match to create a smooth flow.
The 180 degree rule means the camera must always be on one side of the action, the camera can move within that side but cannot swap unless the audience see the camera move past the line. If the camera swaps sides it can confuse the audience because the characters will be on the opposite side of the shot.

“Match on action” means that gestures/movements should match between two shots. “Match on action” means that the action moves smoothly, if the action does not match then the audience will notice the editing.

“Eye line” match means that the direction of the eye line must be aimed at the object. This shows the audience where they should be looking and where the drama is. For example, if a man is looking off-screen towards the left at a television then the next cut should be the television.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBPw9C57TuU

Introduction to Preliminary task

The task was to create a short film that included someone walking down a corridor, opening a door, a cut in and a cut away. Then we had to edit the film ourselves so we could understand continuity editing better. It also had to include aspects of the 180 degree rule and match on action. We also had to create a short dialogue script and storyboard.