Question 7) Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
The purpose of the preliminary task was to test out each member of the group's ability with a camera and editing. During this task we experimented with the camera, using a variety of sizes, angles and movements. In addition to this, we were also introduced on how to film an action and how to use the 180 degree rule. This task was also helpful due to the fact that it helped us to identify which production roles each group member would be taking up. The preliminary task has helped us in gaining some understanding of how we would be filming our final footage. Overall, the preliminary process was highly beneficial as it gave us the chance to film and edit a short sequence before getting on with the actual project, enabling us to establish our strengths and weaknesses.
Things I am now better with and more confident with doing in terms of filming and editing From my preliminary to the final product:
Filming: I gained confidence in filming an action by framing my shots better. This is used effectively in the final product in the party scene where our objective was to capture the various characters in one shot and make them the focus for the audience, which enables the audience to acknowledge the fact that she is alone. This is improved in comparison to the preliminary task because in the preliminary we had a lot of unwanted space around characters that was not needed which consequently took away the focus from the character.
Editing: In terms of editing, I gained confidence in several aspects. This includes the usage of Final Cut Pro for transitions and effects. This is better than in the preliminary task due to the fact that we were more accurate with our editing and breaking up footage properly which is most effective when our female is getting attacked and there are various cuts and jump cuts to demonstrate this . In the preliminary task, the cutting on action as scene in the image below (left) is not as effective because it doesn't appear as fluent.
Filming: In terms of filming, I also learnt how to use a tripod more effectively to capture stable shots. In my preliminary task, although a tripod was used, the shots appeared less clear and less professional as the images shake ever so slightly. Whereas, in my final product the scene was set up with more stability which ensured that the scene would be filmed effectively.
Editing: In my preliminary task I did not know how to function sound properly and there was a lot of background noise over the diaglogue which was unwanted. However, in the final product I gained a deeper understanding of how sound can be incorporated within a film to create suspense. An example of this in the final product was within the party scene in which we had to ensure that the music was in time with what was going on in the scene.
