Evaluating the preliminary task - Antonia

Evaluating the Preliminary task:

My group and I were asked to film an example of shot-reverse-shot, a common camera style that is typically used to film a conversation between two characters. Other camera techniques include match on action and the 180 degree rule. We prepared for this task by storyboarding our idea, giving drawings of every shot and examples of all the dialogue spoken between the two characters.


 We started filming in one of the school corridors, having the actor walking towards the camera and then past it to walk into the classroom. My role in the group was to make sure the camera was at the right height and angle before we started filming. The main continuity principle I used was shot-reverse-shot and to show this I used an over the shoulder shot as I felt this was the most effective way to show this principle. To show match on action I used a long shot that was positioned slightly to the left. This was effective as we showed the actor walking down the corridor, in front and behind her, showing two different views and the actor was walking on the same side, walking the same way which showed the match on action. As for showing the 180 degree rule I used an over the shoulder shot, but stayed on the same side of the of the actors, not to confuse the audience of what side each actor was on. I kept my framing simple when shooting in the corridor as the background represented the environment the character was in and the audiences attention should be on the actor. When filming in the classroom I kept the tables and the chairs in the shot to show the classroom atmosphere and when filming the conversation between the two actors I kept the shelves of books in the background to add to the framing and setting.


I was happy with my final result as I think my group and I edited it accurately and each shot flowed well into the next. I also think that my end result was good as every shot was in chronological order and everything made sense to the audience watching. The match on action flowed and the shot-reverse-shot was effective. I think my group could have improved getting the shots to equally match up; not to move the camera between shots as the camera is placed in a different position and the audience may see more or less of what is in the framing. I think using a over the shoulder shot was appropriate for showing the shot-reverse-shot as it showed the actors expressions, while keeping within the 180 degree rule.


I think my group and I worked really well as we discussed in detail the shots and shot types so everyone knew what they were doing while filming. While filming we watched back our work and discussed if we needed to edit, and if we wanted to make any changes to the camera angle or the position of the actors. When editing our sequence we all worked together well as we were all able to identify where the filming needing editing and we all took into consideration what everyone was saying.


I feel quite comfortable when using the camera to film. I understand how the camera works and how to use the lenses to zoom in/out and make the framing blurred or sharpen features. I'm not as confident using final cut express. I know how to edit and partially how to use it, but because there is so many features to use I get a bit stuck on what to do. Having said that I still feel able to use this as software...Its just a case of getting used to it and what it can do. I think for me the hardest struggle was to plan what we wanted to film as I found it hard to understand what my group wanted to achieve from the storyboard. I also find planning how I wanted to film hard because I'd usually just film it and see what happens, but to actually plan it was hard because I didn't really know what I wanted to do, but with my groups help I think our filming was very successful.