Evaluation Task 7

7. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Here is the preliminary task that was set at the beginning of the course:

“OCR’s preliminary task asked for a Continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom he/she then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule.“

The main task:

“The titles and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes.”

Filming our preliminary task was very different to the filming of our thriller opening sequence. For instance, filming our prelim there were very limited resources available to us so each of us were limited to the same basic set. Also, we had to stick to the script given to us as well as the number of shots. So our outcomes differed only slightly as we had limited creative freedom. In contrast, when filming our opening sequences we had utter control over setting, script, shots and also our time given wasn’t so limited, hence our outcome was a very creative response to the task given in comparison.

Not forgetting that we filmed our preliminary task only a few weeks into the course so I personally feel like I have learnt a huge deal since then, in addition we did a huge amount of planning (story boards, shot list, shooting schedule, character development etc) and research prior to the day of filming. Whereas we were stripped of this for the preliminary task, with hindsight in the industry it would most likely take a third of the time that we took to film the prelim, as we had none of those things.

Furthermore, I have learnt vast amounts more about the cameras we used as well as the other technologies since the filming of the first task. When we did first use the cameras to then edit the content, the whole process felt a little bit unnatural, as personally I have done projects in the past but not using equipment of such high stature. Therefore the camerawork was a bit shaky and we had to take lots of shots as a result so it was all rather unprofessional; also throughout the editing process voices could be heard throughout the shots. Another issue was that some of the shots were out of focus so when filming the thriller sequence I learnt that when using the Sony NX5 Cameras you should always focus before the filming the shot.

Comparing the preliminary task to the final result, the editing process struck me as the most difficult hurdle as following the prelim the filming and preparation element was easy to grasp; hence I think I have learnt the most about editing. After reviewing our preliminary task again it is evident understandably that we didn’t have a rounded knowledge of editing and the software; considering the sequence was so short and basic it took us at least a hour to edit with lots of help from teachers, even with this I could point out several flaws including shots not editing tightly, the sound randomly cuts out in places. The combined experience of the editing of the preliminary task and main task I have learned that the attention to detail is vital, so matter of a fraction of a second is critical for the continuity of the sequence.

With hindsight flowing the prelim and the final product, I believe that I have gained a huge amount of knowledge of the process of film making as a whole. The editing and camera work skills alongside time management and research skills have greatly benefitted me as a media studies student and also for the future. Overall, reviewing the contrast between the two results I am very proud of what I have achieved. As only a group of two it has taught me how important direct communication is as with a larger group for the prelim communication was more difficult due to this and obviously how early on in the process we were. I can honestly say that the whole experience was very inspirational and therefore made me realise what I am capable of despite not being an industry professional.