Preliminary Production Evaluation

I have learnt lots of new skills whilst making the Preliminary Production. I learnt how to set up and use all of the equipment such as the camera, tripod, etc. I learnt how to use different techniques. Over the shoulder shots were used in conversation to allow the viewer to see from one character’s POV. ‘Match on action’ shots were done by filming something happening one way, and then following the 180 degree rule and filming the same action again from the other side. The 180 degree rule involves ensuring all the filming is done on one side of an imaginary line, to ensure continuity. When editing, I used a new piece of software called Pinnacle Studio HD 15, and learnt how to put all of the different shots together and cut them to make sure I only got the parts I needed. I also tried out a few different effects, such as transitions and ‘picture-in-picture’. We used the transitions to indicate a change in time in the piece. The ‘picture-in-picture’ was not really required and didn’t add much to the production. However it allowed us to begin to get to grips with the software. Once all of the editing had been completed, we made the production into a movie and put it on Vimeo in order to link it here to Blogger. The group managed to film a wide range of different shots, and we ended up with all the shots required for the task. I think we managed to work well as a team and everybody got have a go at the different aspects of filming. I feel that the editing went particularly well and we managed to cut and edit the parts we needed and all of the shots flowed once put together. I think that it was great working in a group because we could all help and learn from each other. Although we seemed to work well as a team, there was some wasted time as some shots had to be repeated over and over because of people not knowing their lines or laughing in front of and behind the camera. I think this was a problem because all of the dialogue was improvised and if we’d had a script to follow we could have been faster and the task may have been taken more seriously. The volume of the actors’ dialogue was a bit of a problem, you could hear what was being said, but I think it could have been a bit louder or clearer. This could have been avoided if they were both confident with being in front of the camera, rather than being made to do it, or if we’d used an external microphone. Another issue we had was that our video had to be made into a Windows Media Player File as in .AVI form the transitions didn’t work correctly for some reason. Out of everything I have learnt in making this production, I think the most important thing is to plan what you are doing. In my thriller opening that I will be working towards, I will make sure we have a script (if there is any dialogue), and a shot list so that we know exactly what needs filming. Overall I was most pleased about learning new skills. I haven’t done anything with video camera equipment or the editing software before, so I loved learning how everything worked and I was really pleased that I knew how to use everything by the end of the task. With the production, I was most pleased with the editing, because it brought everything together and although the storyline of the production was boring it still looked good in the end. The thing that pleased me the most about my role was the fact that I got to try everything and I didn’t have to act front of the camera.

Preliminary Task

Preliminary Task - Phone Conversation from Hannah Boardman on Vimeo.

Introduction

Hello! I’m Hannah Cocklin, and I study media at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School Sixth Form. This is my blog which will be my AS portfolio, and I will be working towards creating the opening for a thriller.