Preliminary Task Evaluation

Preliminary Task Evaluation

For our preliminary task we had to create short video which included different features and filming techniques. We had to use a match on action, an eye line match, a shot-reverse-shot and we had to stick to the 180 degree rule. The narrative for our video features two employees who meet up in their workplace to exchange information. However, the employee the information is regarding walks in on the exchange. We aimed to create quite a tense and mysterious atmosphere which we achieved through the use of music and sound in the clip and limiting what the audience can see in the shots.

As previously mentioned, a rule which we had to be conscious of when filming was the 180 degree rule. When you film a scene using separate shots, the position of the camera must not cross the invisible 180 degree line otherwise when played back the action on screen will switch sides and appear backwards to the audience. As shown in the image below, the camera must remain in the area shaded blue to stay on a single side of the actors, if the camera switches onto the other side the actors will appear on screen to have switched positions. 

Throughout our filming process we continuously checked the shots we had filmed to make sure that when edited together they would make sense and the 180 degree rule was not broken. At the start of filming, when reviewing the footage we noticed we had broken the 180 degree rule but by identifying this early we were able to refilm the shot and amend the mistake.

For our preliminary task we also had to use a match-on-action. This is a technique used when two actors exchange something and the camera is positioned to film the giving of the item from the position of the giver, and then repositioned to film the receiving of the item from the position of the receiver. This then shows the exchange from the two different angles and when edited together, the exchange looks seamless. We incorporated this technique into our task when the two protagonists exchange the document containing the information when they meet. But while filming this scene we had to ensure we did not pass over onto the other side of the two actors and so did not break the 180 degree rule.

Next we had to incorporate an eye line match into our video. We had to ensure that in each shot when the two protagonists were facing each other, the way in which they’re looking lines up with the person they are looking at in the following shot. This is to ensure when edited, it is portrayed on screen that they are looking toward each other as they’re eyelines match. We tried to ensure this by positioning the actors to make them the same height so it was easier to make their eye lines match. 

Finally we had to include a shot-reverse-shot which is a simple technique which just switches between two different shots, for example showing one characters face looking towards another and then showing that characters face looking back, and then going back to a shot of the first character. We incorporated this into our clip by switching from a shot of the two protagonists, to showing the 3^rd character walk through the door, and then back to the protagonists. This shot-reverse-shot enabled us to show what was happening on both sides of the scene without breaking the 180 degree rule.

The whole of our filming process was successful as we had previously storyboarded the shots so we were able to confidently direct our actors in each scene to efficiently film each shot. We worked well as a team and delegated roles such as using the camera, directing the actors, and reviewing the footage which enabled us to film the best shots possible and by working well as a team we could put all of our creative ideas together to form a strong and hooking narrative. To be able to get the best shots we identified strong locations to film by picking areas which had good natural lighting for our shots and had little background noise, all of which contributed to our productivity. The story board we used to plan is shown below. 

Our editing process was also highly successful as we all worked together and inputted our different strengths to produce the best video we could. None of us had previously had much experience working with Adobe Premier so at the start of the editing process we were confused and only made slow progress however, after spending time just experimenting with what we could do we learnt a lot about the different techniques we could choose to use and how to actually achieve them. I personally learnt a lot about editing the clips and how to cut the clips down to the parts we wanted and also how to then edit the clips together using transitions to make it look seamless. We also spent time selecting a soundtrack for our clip and learnt how to import it into the software. We learnt how to cut the soundtrack down to fit our video, and learnt how to make the soundtrack quieter in certain sections of the video and louder in other sections to emphasise different shots.

Overall, we managed to produce a strong and successful video for our preliminary task and developed skills which we can further utilise when producing our main task. Our strengths were we were able to shoot all our shots efficiently thanks to the story board we produced and clear ideas that we had previously discussed and mapped. To improve next time we could spend more time editing and perfecting certain little aspects of our video such as straightening shots and adding more transitions. However overall we did a successful job and we are all now a lot more knowledgeable on both filming our shots using the cameras and editing using the Adobe Premier software.