Evaluation Question 7: Looking back at your continuity task what do you feel you have learnt in the progression form it to full product? Annabelle Sherwin 2145

Question 7

Many techniques I used in the preliminary task helped me film and edit our film opening. As I had used them before it gave me an advantage as I could plan the exact shots which would fit in saving time. Two techniques we used were the 180 degree rule and shot reverse shot. These are very important as if they’re not used it distorts the audiences sense of location of the characters. In the preliminary task we used these techniques when the teacher was talking to the student. We used a medium over the shoulder shot when shooting the scene so the costume could be seen as well as the facial expressions. In our film opening we used the techniques twice. The first time we used them was in a flashback when two characters are fighting. We kept the camera in the same place so we didn’t confuse the audience as each clip only lasted around 2 seconds. The second time was in a government scene when two officers are talking. By using the 180 degree rule and shot reverse shot we were able to establish the location and characters without distorting the audience’s deception. For this shot we used a medium long shot so the top half and bottom half of the costume could be seen. 

Another technique we used was match on action. In the preliminary task we used it when the student walked down the corridor, when she opened the door and then went into the classroom. This was challenging as we used it three times in a row to create a fluid movement. It took a few takes to get it exactly right as we had not used this technique before. But this then made it easier when using it in our film opening as we had knowledge of how it worked and slotted together. One of the times we used it in our film opening was when the protagonist walked out a room and then down the stairs, meaning we used it twice in a row. We filmed him opening the door, exiting the room and walking towards the stairs from inside the room, and the same movements but from outside the room. When we edited this shot it meant we had more footage than needed which was better than less footage as if we had had missed timed the movements there would be a delay. This then made it easier to piece together the shots as we were able to cut it to the exact moment creating a fluid movement. We also used match on action 4 other times within the opening. As we had gained previous knowledge of this technique from the preliminary task, it meant we were able to do tricky camera shots making our film opening more interesting. 

One other technique we used was the zoom. This is a simple technique to use but you need to get it precisely right for the whole film to work. If it is not used correctly the shot could be too big so the audience miss something as there is too much to focus on, or there are unnecessary items in the frame. Contrastingly if the shot is too small an important movement may not be included confusing the audience. In our preliminary task we used this skill when the student pushed down the door handle to enter the room. We zoomed in so the handle and hand was in the centre of the frame with some of the door showing around the edge. This meant the audience focused on the pushing down of the handle as there was nothing else to distract their attention. We transferred this technique into our opening when the protagonist’s phone displayed an alert. We used a bird’s eye view of the phone which was on the table so the message which appeared was very clear and focused. As the phone touched the top and bottom of the frame it was the only item in the shot meaning the audience had to focus on it. This was an important shot as it gave a clue to the audience of what the whole film was about. These are the main techniques we used in our film opening to try and make it more interesting and professional.