Preliminary task - Miss Miller

Preliminary task

The other members of my group are Samantha Apperely and Mikaeel Khaliq. The purpose of the preliminary task was so that we could get used to the equipment which we shall use once we get to the filming stage of the project, experimenting with different shot types in the process so that when we go to film, we have had prior practice with a varying number of shots. We had to film a conversation between two people, which had to last between 30 - 60 seconds. We had to quickly edit the sequence together and watch it back so that we could see how the film came out in the end, seeing if anything had gone wrong and what went well.

We had to use a varying number of shots, including a long shot, which was used to show the background in which the conversation is taking place. This was achieved by placing the camera a about 7-10 metres away from the bench in which the conversation takes place. A close up was used to show the facial expressions of those talking throughout the conversation, which was achieved by placing the camera close enough to the individual so that there facial expression were the focus of the frame. A mid shot was used to show some of the background but also have the characters in shot from the waist upwards, which was achieved by placing the camera in-between both of the people, in which it was placed about a metre or two away from them. A shot reverse shot is used to individually show the faces of the characters during conversation, which was achieved by filming one of there faces, focusing on there faces individually on screen (through the use of a close up or mid shot), then film the other person speaking afterwards in the same way.  Panning is used within the same segment in which a long shot is used also, so that it shows the background while one of the characters enters the frame, approaching the other person. This was achieved by placing the camera the same length away as the long shot, but moving the camera (while attached to the tripod) as the person moves so it pans there movement. Included within this also, we also had to show are understanding of the 180 rule, by following such and not breaking it during any instance. My group done well when filming the approaching person in the conversation, through the use of incorporating a long shot and panning. We achieved this result by placing the camera on a tripod from a distance away from the bench, in which I was filmed walking towards it from an angle through the use of a long shot and panning. As the overall product produced was not of a high standard by any means, there wasn't anything else which went well, as a group we have taken the preliminary task as a learning curve so that once we go to create the actual production, we have had prior experience with the editing software and the equipment we used throughout this task. As the only good thing achieved during this task was the filming of certain segments and being able to vary shot types (but not to a particularly good standard), due to reasonable camera skills, in which as I group we intend to approve upon also, as the more experienced gained using the equipment will only enable us to progressively get better with them. Due to this, as a group we struggled with a large number of things throughout this task. In regards to the equipment, we done well (eventually) with working the camera, after some struggles beforehand.

During this task, the multiple things we struggled with includes the following. Finding a engaging conversation which didn't seem to staged or unnatural was hard to come up with, therefore we had to repeat filming out of lesson as the lesson allocated to do such was wasted trying to think of suitable dialogue. The lesson time was wasted essentially due to confusion, both between the group and the task at hand, as we did not have a conversation established, nor did we have a location in which it was possible to include all of the shots mentioned prior. Regardless of that, when filming we were unsure at what segments we were going to include what, an example being through the use of long shot into panning of one of the people coming onto the frame, approaching the other to engage in conversation. Without planning anything beforehand or establishing what exactly the task was within the group, confusion arose and resulted in time being managed poorly, which further had other knock on affects.  Due to the fact that we had to complete the task within our time, we had to recreate everything and essentially rushed filming because of this, hence why we struggled to gather many clips, a lack in filler clips resulting in the final product not flowing at all and generally being a poor viewing. I struggled a bit during the editing process regardless as I was unfamiliar with the software, therefore I had to learn how to do basic tasks such as cropping and putting clips together, therefore time was wasted during that process. Because of the issue with time, I had to find time out of class to dedicate towards editing the task, which was not easy, therefore I had to rush editing as I was behind on class work and therefore had to complete it as soon as possible. In regard to equipment, we struggles with using the camera and tripod originally, as we couldn't keep the camera stable on the tripod as we didn't know how to tighten it on however, as we progressed with the task that became less of an issue.

We could have approached the filming process differently by preparing a basic dialogue beforehand, rather than bickering over something which isn't the main focus of the task (dialogue), by doing so making us complete the task quicker and hassle free. We could have also established what location we were going to use as we changed it a couple of times and finally settled for doing it outside, as this way we were able to film certain shots which could not be done otherwise. I will ensure that we don't encounter the same issue when we go to film the opening sequence as we have prepared what we intend to film many times up till that point, as shown through the multiple planning posts on the various different elements of the sequence. I do feel that the preliminary task will help my group and I production of our opening sequence as we know how to film certain shots, have experience with camera use and have produced a practice piece of film. Watching the footage back has helped us understand the mistakes which we made during filming that we were not aware of while filming, because it is clearer to acknowledge what didn't go well because we could watch it back multiple times and edit and remove parts which needed changing. We will not encounter issues in regards to the equipment due to the experience we have gained from this task. Issues in relation to time should be irrelevant as we intend to getting filming for the opening sequence done early so that there is no strain during the time in which editing will take place, therefore finishing the production with less stress and hassle however, if time does become an issue for whatever reason during filming, we can simply gather some addition clips during the editing process as the time given is much longer than that of this task. Confusion between group members should not be an issue when filming the open sequence as we are well informed as to what the task itself is, and what we actually intend on filming upon as we have done much planning beforehand on all of the individual elements within the opening sequence, and we have experience of going out and filming segments because of the preliminary task.

This task will help in preparing for the filming of the opening sequence for a number of reasons. My group and I can now work the camera better as we have experience using the tripod and can use it without any issues, enabling us to use multiple shots without issue as we have had experience filming multiple different shot types, while doing so following the 180 rule. As we have filmed multiple shots following said rule, it has given us additional practice for the opening sequence as we are going to follow that also and abide by the rules of such. Also, I now have more experience with the editing software which we intend to use when it comes to editing the clips for the opening sequence, so very few issues in regard to editing or the software should not happen, so when it comes to putting clips together, adding transitions and such, this should be less of an issue. I have learnt from this task that planning is essential before going to film anything and that we should not go to film unless we have clearly established what we intend to film in our opening sequence. We need to ensure as a group that we don't stall with filming, and that we should establish a time schedule in which we know when we are going to film and what scene and where.