G321 Evaluation: Comparing the Preliminary Task to Our Final Opening

Looking back at my preliminary task, what do I feel I have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

In the preliminary task, our task was to create a short film demonstrating match-on-action, the 180 degree rule and shot-reverse-shot through someone walking through a door and a conversation between two people. I was with a different group at the time and we decided to be as imaginative as possible within the brief set and so decided on a dream storyline. This main task, however, was to create an opening for a film of a genre of our choice. Though this gave us a lot more freedom than the preliminary task as to the plot and content of our piece, it also restricted us to a specific style of film as it was important we did not create a trailer or use conventions from another genre. There was also a lot more planning into the locations of filming, characters, costume and camera angles for our final piece and this was a lot more work, often distracting us from what we had learned in the preliminary task (180 degree rule, etc). 

Preliminary Task
Match on Action 1

Preliminary Task
Match on Action 2

Preliminary Task
SHOT
180 degree rule

  

Preliminary Task
REVERSE
180 degree rule

Preliminary Task
SHOT
180 degree rule

Our overall product for our film opening is also a lot more complex than the preliminary I created with my other group with more advanced editing techniques, such as the multiple split screens and quicker paced editing. We were also a lot more creative with our ideas, specifically with the "Wisecrack Studios" logo where we used real footage and a banner in comparison to simple, coloured text and transitions on the screen as with our preliminary task. Feedback from our preliminary task included that the storyline was not totally clear and so with our opening, we used multiple split screens and the final long shot of the boys walking together down the road in order to clarify our opening to the audience.

The logo of our institution from our comedy opening in comparison to the slogan the end of the preliminary task is a lot more creative and and humour reflects the comedy genre more than if we used plain credits:

Being creative with our institution logo

Learning from our preliminary task suggested made us ensure that the storyline was clear and so we used this split screen and long shot to differentiate the characters:

The Final Split Screen in our Opening 

The Final Long Shot of our Opening

As mentioned before, the planning and research into the comedy genre, other comedy openings and preparation for filming, such as locations, costumes, props, etc, was extensive in comparison the the preliminary task but necessary. It enabled us to be prepared for filming so that we completed the opening on time and ensured that we produced an opening for a comedy film and not a trailer. The research and planning also helped with choosing the genre to start with by looking at other media texts, as well as creating ideas in regards to characters by looking at others of similar films (Superbad, 2007). The storyboard, shot list and animatic storyboard also helped us to be efficient and quick at editing and filming our piece as we knew what to film and which order to edit the footage in. Without the planning we wouldn't have been able to have the time management we did or have time left over to film extra shots that we felt were necessary to be re-filmed. 

Since the preliminary task, our use of shots has improved though we did not incorporate any match-on-action or shot-reverse-shot. The steadiness of our shots has also improved so that we do not need to stabilise our footage. An example of this is the backwards tracking shot from the preliminary task and the final shot of the opening of a tilt towards the sky. Since I filmed both of these shots, I can see my improved skills I have developed over the past few months. The following shots are of where the camera's focus has been altered in order to correct the shaking camera. This is in comparison the tilt from the comedy opening in which the camera is steady and smooth.

A screen shot of the pan from the first, rough cut

Preliminary Task

Preliminary Task

Preliminary Task

The cameras we used for our final opening were the same ones as those we used in our preliminary task, our remakes of Juno, The Strangers and Vertigo. Though they do not have high definition, they were sufficient enough to create our opening with various settings for different light conditions and focus pulls. If we filmed in high definition, it would have made our opening look more professional and like the mainstream film we set out to create. We also used the same tripods as our preliminary task and so we were fully aware how to use them the level on the side to ensure the shots were straight. However, the dolly we used in the preliminary task caused problems with shaking and wobbling when it was not on smooth surfaces. Because of the problems we faced with shaking and blurring when stabilising the shots, we decided not to use a dolly for our comedy opening. This removed the hassle of finding smooth surfaces to film on but also limited the shots we could use. To compensate, we directed the characters to move towards us and used other shots, such as pans and tilts, to create movement in our piece. 

 We also changed the editing software we used when creating our comedy opening in order to create a more professional product. For the preliminary task, we used iMovie - the standard editing programme available with the Mac. Since I already knew how to use this programme, it was easy to teach other group members how to use it and this saved time editing our work. However, iMovie was limited to the editing techniques and the variety of titles and positioning of them and, as a group, we also wanted a challenge. We decided to use Final Cut Express to edit our comedy opening enabling us to create more complex shots and make our film look more professional. Unfortunately, we underestimated how complicated the software was and spent several hours trying to figure out basic editing procedures and this wasted a lot of time when editing. In hindsight, I would still use this programme as I believe it helped us to create a better opening and achieve the best results.

The comedy opening fulfils the task set as it's definitely an opening and lasts nearly two minutes. As an audience, you can see this through the known conventions of an opening; the plot is not revealed; there are few, if any, fade-to-blacks and that the narrative is open. The title is also situated at the start of the film, with the correct titles and order of the comedy genre. It also conforms to the conventions of comedy, making the audience laugh or feel amused.

Since the preliminary task, I have learned exactly how the camera equipment and tripods work allowing me to save time when setting up equipment and filming. The level on the tripod also enabled us to create a better quality product than if we hadn't used a tripod, as well as the different focus and lighting settings on the camera. The past two tasks have also improved my communication and organisation skills with my group members as it was essential for us to meet the deadlines necessary so that we didn't get caught up in our work and other subjects. I have learned discipline in myself to ensure that I meet the deadlines, not just for myself but for my group members, and that pushing yourself that bit further will help you achieve the results in your film that you want.

G321 Evaluation: Learning About Technology

What have we learnt about technologies from the process of constructing our product?

The camera we used was the Samsung 42 Intelli Zoom which does not have high definition filming and a lower pixel resolution compared to the cameras used for professional film, such as a SONY Canon XL High definition camcorder. There are also limited options for lighting and focus for the camera, as well as a smaller screen. However, this was sufficient for us to capture the shots necessary but not to the highest quality we desired. We did face issues with the automatic focus pull but after a change of the settings, these were corrected quickly. Also, as all the shots we used in our piece were supposed to be steady, we needed a Tripod to avoid shaking the camera and prevent as much focus blur as we could when the camera panned or tilted. It enhanced our film as it's very difficult to hand-hold a camera when doing a steady shot and saved us a lot of time when filming our shots. 

 

One problem we faced constantly during filming was the changes in lighting. As we filmed over numerous days and in various locations, the weather changed and caused the shots to change in brightness when they were supposed to all be around the same time of day. When filming Stacey, the bright sun, angle of the shot and Stacey's costume caused her to virtually disappear on camera and so we had to use a different door at the same location with darker, low key lighting. This took up time and made filming a bit longer than it needed to be as we had to create a solution. Also, when filming the shot for Stacey with the alarm clock, it was very difficult to time it so that the camera panned to the clock just before it went off. This took several times and we had to reset the clock and count in until we got it right. We also filmed things in different orders and for some shots, Stacey had her pyjamas on or her day clothes when she should be wearing the other costume. As we didn't realise until editing, we had to swap around the shots which made it difficult to follow our storyboard and correct the errors. Next time, I will make sure I pay attention to the mise whilst filming so that these problems can be avoided.

Originally, Stacey was to be wearing her pyjamas still when reading her book in the split screen, as seen in her first shot. However, because of the order we filmed in we didn't concentrate on her costume and had to switch the shots around to ensure we kept the continuity. 


Like Stacey, there were also issues filming Bob. Since the original location planned was not totally suitable for filming because of the space, we had to use a different room in the same location. However, problems then arose due to the lighting. The first set of shots were dark and orange due to the artificial lighting and these were not correctable on the Mac so we had to film them all again a different day. We opened the blind a bit and turned off the lights resulting in brighter shots, with natural lighting. The actor also did not feel comfortable wearing boxers in front of the camera and so we compromised by allowing him to wear pyjama bottoms.


To challenge us, our group decided to use Final Cut Express rather than iMovie which enabled us to create the complex shots we needed, such as the various split screens. It also allowed us to be more precise with our editing and take the exact clips we wanted for our film. It helped me to learn that editing can be overcomplicated if the plot is unnecessarily complex and that storyboards are important in order to edit quickly and efficiently. In the future and if I had to do this task again, I would try to create a more simpler opening to prevent getting confused when editing.

As a group we worked well together. We split the work between each person fairly and nominated ourselves to do different bits of work as we also had to be weary of other subjects. However, problems did occur when some group members missed several lessons and editing sessions causing us to struggle to keep up with group blog work. The editing work became uneven between group members as some stayed after school and edited during free lessons so that we could meet the rough cut and final cut deadlines, whilst others did not. Though this did cause problems, we managed to finish the work on time and to the best standard we could.


Using blogger was an effective way to record our work and progress throughout the whole process. It prevented us from carrying around and potentially losing paper work and was quicker than writing. It also enabled us to add links and use footage and images in order to express our opinions and present our ideas and research was also easier to do as we could go onto Youtube and use clips from there to analyse. However, problems did occur when the site would crash or if the internet was unavailable as it would delay our work and put us behind when trying to meet deadlines. It was also confusing as to which posts should go on our individual or our group blog.