Preliminary Task Questions

What planning did you do? How was this useful, and how did you change from your plans?

Before we could start filming we had to go through the planning stage for our preliminary task. This firstly involved finding a suitable location for our assignment and deciding where the actors would position themselves. Once this had been decided we drew up a floor plan of the location which included the position of the camera in each of the different shots. Subsequently, we designed storyboard which showed exactly what would happen in the short film. Finally, before we actually started filming we rehearsed the task without cameras.

The planning was vital as it made sure that everyone knew what they were doing as well as where and when they would be needed. It also allowed us to pinpoint areas which we wished to change in order to improve the film. After the planning stage the only change that was made was the actors – one was not available on the day so she had to be replaced with someone else. In hind sight the planning could have had better organisation, however, as a group, we eventually managed to get it up to a successful standard.

What camera skills have you developed? How confident are you with using the cameras, and has this confidence changed during the project? Give details of specific camera skills/ techniques you have developed/ improved, and include areas where you lack confidence/ need to improve?

I have developed skills with the camera such as using the dolly and using the angle of it to create effect. I am fairly confident with using cameras and believe that I have sufficient skill to create a decent film however after doing this task I do feel as though I have learnt a good deal about what shots would work at specific moments. As my main role was to be an actor in the task the skills I developed during its course were mainly down to observation and a small amount of manually handling the camera. However in the planning stage I learnt of the various effects that can be achieved through changing the shot types, for example by using low angle shots we gain a feeling that the actor on screen is dominant and by using eye level shots we can feel as though we are seeing from the eyes of the character involved. I still lack confidence in areas such as keeping the camera steady while moving when using a dolly is impractical. Also I do not always know when to use the different shot types to make the end product better.

What editing skills have you developed? How confident are you with using the editing program? Give details of specific editing skills/ techniques you have developed/ improved, and include areas where you lack confidence/ need to improve?

Before this task I had done some basic editing but on a simpler, less advanced programme. By editing this film I have developed skills such as piecing together the shots into a sequence which uses a variety of shot types while still following the story line smoothly. I have observed how shot transitions can be useful in linking two sequences which do not directly connect, for example using fade. I now feel fairly confident with this editing programme and think that I could basically edit any future films I create; however I would still require help with some of the more intricate details. Areas where I need to improve are: putting dialogue on films as a separate soundtrack; making sure that after using a variety of shots I have not repeated small parts of the film and touching up the imperfections on the end result.