Evaluating the Perliminary Task

Evaluating the Preliminary Task

We were asked to make a video, approximately 30 seconds long, demonstrating how to use shot reverse shot, 180 degrees shot and match on action. These are commonly used in different films and certainly the thriller genre that we are focusing on. In shooting these different types of camera angles we were asked to focus on the certain rules that follow them. We watched a short clip of each being demonstrated within a film and learnt the ways to safely film each. For example with the 180 degrees shot the camera man would have to stay one side of a‘line’ and not cross it or it would be breaking the shot. However if the camera shows the line being broken the effect doesn’t drop and the viewer does not get confused. By watching the videos and learning how an effective shot is used we could thereby start putting our knowledge into action and start filming.

Before we started filming our 30 ish seconds long story we each practiced filming at least one of the three shots we had to include. In filming the 180 degrees shot I and a fellow media student sat on a bench at either side facing each other while our other partner used the camera along an imaginary line so we would always be in the same position on the screen while having a conversation and the audience would not be confused. After we demonstrated the camera moving from along the line and then breaking the line which appeared to mix up the positions of the two people and confuse the audience. We did this so that we therefore knew how to film the shot in the right way so we could use it properly within our story we would produce.

In knowing how to portray the shots effectively and understanding how they work and are used within films we could get to work on producing our story board.  Our story consisted of 2 characters which would both be students in a school. One character (my-self) was a rebellious student who didn’t attend a history lesson and blamed her absents on not knowing her timetable. The other (Sara) was a student who was her friend who enjoyed school and attended the lesson, so told me that I had a detention, while Maddy filmed.

We included different types of cinematography, including close-ups, long shots, match on action, 180 degree rule, medium close-ups and shot reverse shots. Using these we could portray our understanding of each through our film. For example our shot reverse shot featured I and Sara sat down at a table and showed over the shoulder shots of our conversation. Whenever I spoke the frame would show the back of me and Sara’s facial expression to what I was saying and then the other way round skipping back and forth with the dialogue. We included a close up when Sara opened the door handle which then followed with match on action when the next shot she was already in the room without being shown to come in the door.

Finally when done filming we began editing. I believe our final result demonstrated that we know the key concepts of filming and using different camera shots, however our editing should have been completed fully to the best of our ability as there are scenes that do not flow through from one another so more cutting should have been done. The storyline was clear throughout and the dialogue used made the audience aware of what was happening but the camera work needed to be more slick. There are parts that appear to look burly to the audience, so could have maybe been sharpened during editing or re-filmed. For the shot reverse shot our characters were in a good position on screen and the shot was appropriate for the scene. I think we could have included more cinematography such as an establishing shot of the school and low and high angles of filming.

I think we worked well as a group, all agreeing on our storyline and what shots we were including, we each decided what character we would be and who was filming very quickly and we edited it together as a group. Next time I would make sure our editing is better and if we run out of time to stay behind after school and see that it is up to standard. In using the camera I am confident at filming different shots and in using final cut express I am figuring different features out and know I can either research or ask my group members if I am unsure.

By Rhianna Henson-Smith