G231 Preliminary Task write up
G231 Preliminary Task write up Outline of the brief: The preliminary task was to create a short 2 minute clip of involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character which a couple of lines of dialogue are spoken. The task was set in order to gain confidence and skills within filming, editing and creating a script, ready for preparation for our coursework.
We then rehearsed the dialogue and certain key moments/gestures several times so again we wouldn’t waste precious filming time and so we could the speech right.
Planning: We planned out our plot, script and roles before filming so we would save time during filming and so we were all sure of what we wanted the outcome to be. We first created a storyboard shown below; Storyboard 1
Storyboard 2
Filming/ Evaluation: When filming and before filming we each allocated roles within the group, so we could share and help each other out. Our first attempt when filming; •
Bex: filming
•
Harriet: filming
•
Anne: acting out a role in our film ( character 1)
•
Sarah: acting out a role in our film( character 2)
Second attempt when filming; • Bex: filming • Harriet: acting out a role in our film ( character 2) • Anne: acting out a role in our film (character 1)
At first we created a storyboard in which we based our plot on, within this we included significant camera shots and key moments that we needed to Include and thought were important key moments. We then filmed our plot that we had planned but realised that perhaps are plot was to unrealistic and not an everyday situation, once we looked back at what we had filmed we also noticed that are camera wasn’t steady meaning that the shots were unfocused and unsuccessful. We decided as a group that we were to come up with a more realistic scenario and slow down when filming taking time and precision when using the camera. We then formed a new storyboard with a realistic scenario of someone stealing a mobile phone, we still included the important shots that we wanted to included which were “over the shoulder” and “shot reverse shot” as these are both two significant shots that are commonly used in the film industry to suggest mystery and suspense between characters. This was exactly the type of atmosphere and mood that we wanted to create because it links to the preliminary task’s requirements of a dramatic short scene but also keeps the audience interested and engaged. For example we used shot reverse shot when filming the conversation to build up tension and depth between the two characters. The build-up tension created was to fit the speed of the camera, as this was to increase as the conversation developed, making one character look vulnerable and the other powerful. We also used over the shoulder to illustrate in detail to show what one character was doing so the audience could understand what was going on. We had to make sure that what the characters were wearing were the same, therefore we planned to film the set in the same day so confusion wouldn’t be created, in which had to been created when we previously filmed, as we filmed on two separate days.
180 Degree Rule states that two characters in a scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other. If you don't follow the 180 Degree Rule, or break it, it can disrupt the scene disorients of the audience, making it complicated and hard for the audience to follow. I found it really helpful beforehand as I watched a video which I posted onto my blog, which explained the purpose and how the 180 degree rule works, when filming we could then look back at this for help and inspiration. The main camera angles that we included in our clip where over the shoulder, we wanted to include this in the conversation part to add mystery and for one of the characters to be alone and isolated. However when filming we realised that this camera angle would suit a part in our film when character 2 is focusing on her work, just after stealing the phone. We thought this shot would work well as it almost concludes and ends the dramatic part of the clip, making it memorable, giving the audience time to take in the dramatic scene. We thought that this camera action would have suited the conversation more, as this was originally what we had planned to include, nevertheless we realised that shot reverse shot would be a more successful technique as it creates a dramatic atmosphere between the two characters, using this technique also meant that while editing we could speed up the filming while the argument grew, making the clip even more dramatic.
However this didn’t quite go to plan ether, as the short reverse shot action was quite short and very brief, although it fitted the action well as its filmed when the characters are in an augment so the dramatic turns within the shot add and help to create this dramatic atmosphere within the characters. When filming character 1 when she is escaping the room, we used a tracking shot to film the pathway of the leaving the room, I think this technique worked well as it empathise character 2’s movements making them valued and so the audience takes in to account the characters footsteps. We included a couple of wide shot angles, both are used during the middle of the film to almost overview and to sum up the clip, making the audience view the shot from a different perspective. The first wide angle shot was taken when character 1 goes to the vending machine to purchase a drink, this shot is effective as it explains the event briefly to the audience, this shot then transfers into a side shot of character 1, which again sums up the event suitably. When character 1 is returning a bird’s eye view shot is featured in the footage to show and sum up the movements, rather than include another tracking shot we wanted to bring and add a different height status to change the characters viewpoint and perspective from the audience. Finally a medium close up is used when character 2 is stealing the mobile phone, this was used and planned so the audience would be able to clearly see the main events happening, a this is an important scene and needed to be exposed Cleary.
I have learnt many skills when filming and editing our film as I have not previously filmed or edited before. I learnt different techniques such as the 180 degree rule and how to use a tripod when filming. We used the program prelim program by adobe, within using this program I learnt new skills for instance, adding “dip to black transfers� to every clip to make the footage look sharper and a better quality shot. I also learnt how to change certain clips to the black and white effect I believed that this effect worked well for these shots, as it made the clips look almost like a security camera because of the perspectives the shots were taken from. Within editing I have learnt the basic techniques such as coping, uploading the videos a. we made two shots in a slower motion compared to the shots featured, we altered the two when character 1 is walking out the room and then when character 2 is stealing the phone to add extra empathises on this key moment. As a group we didn’t feel as if it was necessary to add a soundtrack as the silence created almost adds to the dramatic effect and atmosphere. Our shots were either quite short or significant events, therefore adding a backing track would again almost take away the simplicity of the video making it seem almost crowded and over the top. With the new skills that I have learnt I hope that I have gained knowledge and skills in which I can use for my thriller task. If I personally were to improve or come back to our Preliminary task I would perhaps consider perhaps to think through our plot carefully before hand rather than rush into the filming straight away, as this potentially put us back with timing wise. I would also empathise the characters more, thinking about the status and characters roles presented to the audience for instance who looks as if they have more power etc. As I feel that perhaps the characters profiles are slightly mixed up at times.