Preliminary Coursework Evaluation

1) Who did you work with and how did you manage the task between you?

I worked with Dominic, India and Tom P for the preliminary coursework project.

During the planning stages we, as a group, developed the main ideas for the narrative, structure and shots.
As Dominic and Tom P were the decided actors, they wrote the script whilst India and I worked on the storyboard as we would be filming for the most part. We held a group meeting to finalize any changes to the paperwork or the ideas.

As we’d learnt about the different roles undertaken on a real production set, we thought it was a good idea to assign some of these roles within the group so the filming process would run smoothly.
For the most part India and I alternated between the roles of the camera operator and the sound operator (who was also the production assistant) but ultimately Dominic and Tom also got the chance to film at least 1 shot each.

The editing process was shared according to the different stages of editing we had to go through. As India was new to editing she got to put the titles in at the end, though from cutting up the shots from the main sequence, to trimming down single frames, the editing was shared amongst the group.

2) How did you plan your sequence? What processes did you use? What theories did you try to take into account?

In our 1st group meeting in class, we assigned roles and came up with the main ideas for the narrative. We considered theories about narrative and ensured our sequence had:
1/ A Beginning - Tom walking into the room and sitting down
2/ Middle – Tom wishing Dominic ‘happy birthday’ and giving him a book
3/ End - Dominic telling Tom he’s already got the book and Tom’s reaction.

This idea was scripted, walked through and then storyboarded. Given what we’d learnt about why storyboards are made, we knew that doing so would be essential to ensure that no one had misinterpretations of the ideas and everyone was clear as to how the sequence would appear visually.

In the 2nd group meeting at lunchtime, we finalized any changes to our storyboard and script, and made a shooting schedule, which included the order the shots needed to be filmed in. This shot list considered the location of the shots and therefore the number of setups we’d have to do.

During the walkthrough and storyboarding processes we had to make sure our sequence demonstrated 3 continuity techniques as stated in the brief:
1/ The 180 degree rule – throughout the sequence
2/ Match on action – Tom opening the door and coming into the room (00:06 – 00:08), also passing the book across the table (00:15 - 00:17)
3/ Shot reverse shot (00:12- 00:15)

But we also took into account other continuity techniques like:
+ Using a LS to establishing the setting (00:09 - 00:11)
+ The 30 degree rule
+ Use of a master shot so the other shots are put into context (00:11 and 00:21)
+ Use of a range of shot distances for variety as well as continuity, (e.g. 00:16 - HA of Dominic and the identical books are seen clearly). We also had to consider the shot order of the different shot distances by not putting 2 extreme distances next to each other.

Group 1D

3) What technology did you use to complete the task and how did you use it?
We used both hardware and software to film and edit the sequence.

Hardware:

~ The sequence was filmed with a Digital, canon, mini DV camera - lightweight and easy to handle whilst filming
~ Shot gun mike attached to camera

~ Headphones so the sound operator could focus on the sound and make sure it was clear
~ The camera was fixed to the tripod for different levels and angles of shots

~ Clapperboards- at the beginning of each shot to signify the beginning and end of each take
~ Computer for editing- source and output monitors

Software:

We used adobe premiere pro to edit the sequence. The software had 2 tracks – audio and video and was non linear.

The tools we used included:

~ Razor to cut the clips

~ Slider tool to edit the length of the clip

~ Titles – fade in at the beginning to show the title and our names

~ We used the fade transition to fade into the sequence at the start and fade out at the end

4) What factors did you have to take into account when planning, shooting and editing?
Whilst planning we knew we'd have limits to consider such as the time we had to plan, shoot and then edit the whole sequence, lighting of our setting and also within the location (as 2 other groups would also be shooting at the same time).

Whilst filming we had to trouble shoot problems involving background noise and the volume of the conversation. Dominic pointed out that the bell would ring halfway through the lesson and we'd have to stop filming then.

So that we could get all the paperwork that needed to be done before shooting finished, the actors wrote the script for what they’d say and me and India drew the story board as we’d be filming mostly. Also, we made sure everyone had a chance to practice filming a shot as we all needed to relearn the techniques for the projects coming up. Similarly with the editing we all had to relearn the software and seeing as India hadn’t used it before she was able to work on the titles.

5) How successful was your sequence?

Our sequence was of Tom giving Dominic a birthday present- a book, that he already had.

+ The sequence included, as stated in the brief, Tom opening the door, crossing the room, sitting in a chair opposite Dominic, and having a short conversation. We also included match on action, shot reverse shot and the 180 degree rule. Although not mentioned in the brief we also stuck to the 30 degree rule and used a variety of shot types.

What worked well:

+ OTSs during the conversations - tight editing that gave a choppy/ pacy effect

+ Shots of Tom walking and opening the door into the room flowed nicely

+ The cutaway of the hand on the door handle was effective

+ Higher angle of Dominic holding the books up allowed us to see that they were the

same book.
+The use of a master shot to cut back to was also effective as it was familiar to the audience and ensured that the variety of other shots didn’t confuse them

What didn’t work so well:

There were a few continuity errors such as:

- Dominics hands in diff pos. as he holds up the books (00:21)

- Tom's crossed hands on the table (time code)

We had fewer options when editing as we didn’t film the whole sequence from Dominic’s POV.

Also Tom’s character is well established at the beginning as he walks into the room, the audience is unfamiliar with Dominic yet the next shot is from Dominic's POV.

A cutaway of the books as Dominic holds them up would involve the audience more so we're in the action not just looking from above.

6) What have you learnt from completing this task?

I have learnt a lot about the importance of planning and storyboarding the sequence before filming as it makes the process a lot quicker as everyone in the group knows what needs to be done. Also the theories of continuity and narrative will be essential to the rest of the coursework.

I also learnt that we should shoot the whole sequence from a certain setup as in editing we’d have more options for the sequence of shots and also to avoid having to reshoot a certain shot. Whilst editing I relearnt the tools and processes which will be essential for the next project.

Completing this task has been extremely useful in highlighting what we need to think about and take time over when planning, shooting and editing our next project.