Quick overview of filming work

Our preliminary task helped us gain many skills which we may now apply to our main task. Getting experience using the equipment was especially important as some of us found them difficult to use at first, by the end of our preliminary we became much more adept with the equipment and gained many skills such as setting the camera up on the tripod, and using the tripod effectively in panning shots. We also learned how to operate the camera well, for example using the zoom feature. Learning how to switch to viewing mode so that we could look over the clips we had shot was also very useful, as it allowed us to check we had filmed them correctly.

We made some mistakes in filming the preliminary which helped us to know what to do and what not to do when filming the main task. For example, we realised that sometimes the clips we shot started too suddenly, we realised that it’s better to film more than is necessary, as the unnecessary parts can then be deleted during editing if not needed anyway. To do this we waited a few seconds after starting the recording on the camera before we started acting, the seconds at the beginning can then be deleted if not needed later on in editing.

To some of our group, the editing software was new and alien, and therefore difficult to use, but after completing our preliminary we became more efficient at using it. We learned how to cut clips to the desired length before inserting into the timeline, how to organise clips into a sequence, how to delete sound if not needed, and much more. We struggled at first in achieving smooth continuity editing, the clips had to have smooth transitions and look continuous, without jump cuts, however after a few attempts we soon got better at it.

During planning for the preliminary, we originally made a shot list of each of the different shots we were to use during the preliminary. Upon beginning our filming however we revised these and made a few changes, as we realised some of the shots would be difficult to achieve and would not fit in the sequence well, or would be too long. Therefore, we made some of the shots more simple and short in order to fit the 30-second time duration, even with the tweaks however we still went over the time limit, to around a minute. We therefore misjudged the length of time the clips would take, and will try to do this better in the main task.

We were, however, pleased with some aspects of our preliminary. The conversation-scene for example, in which we filmed the conversation between the two characters, went well. We managed to get a variety of shots such as over-the-shoulder shots and 2-shots. We also managed to use shot-reverse-shot and the 180 degree rule efficiently. One difficulty we faced in this scene however was in the acting, at first we tried to improvise the dialogue in the conversation. This however did not work well as the actors (Rapheal and Laura) found it difficult. We therefore instead wrote a script which we used.

To ensure we kept to the 180-degree rule we made sure that we kept shots in the correct perspective, by keeping to one side of the camera, if we would not have done this correctly it would have been confusing and disorientating for the viewer.

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Analysis of preliminary

The plotline of our preliminary task was that of a meeting between two students, to add realism to the scene we used natural lighting and diagetic sound throughout, we chose to film the scene in loreto college as it was fitting with the theme of the preliminary.

We filmed a variety of shots from different angles so as to have a wide range of shots to choose from during the editing stage of our project, the majority of these shots were discarded so as to save time.

We planned to begin our scene with an establishing shot in the form of an ariel shot of the college, so as to set the scene, however due to limited time we later discarded this in the editing process.

The first shot we chose to use in our clip was a static mid-shot of the main character, the shot was framed by the college gates, this also works to show where the scene is set, the character is seen holding a mobile phone, this shows the character is in a conversation, he is also wearing a bag which adds to the image of him being a college student.

This is followed by a match-cut of a close-up of the characters feet; this connects the clips together seamlessly, and shows that distance has been travelled, one negative about this shot is that the camera was placed on an angle and therefore the shot is tilted.

The next shot is a high-angle long-shot of the character continuing to walk toward the college, the hand-held effect is used to add the feeling that the character is being watched.

Another medium shot is then used in which the character walks toward the camera, in which dialogue is used to show that the character is looking for someone, this is followed by a shot of the character walking away from the camera and into the college doors.

More continuity editing is used to show the character passing through the college and into the canteen, such as a high angle shot filmed from the top of the stairs.

The next set of clips focus on the conversation between the two characters, we use the 180 degree rule throughout the clip so as to avoid distorting the perspective of the viewer, shot-reverse shot is used, aswell as over-the-shoulder shots and a 2-shot showing both characters. The scene ends with a final close-up of the main characters face, used to show the emotion on his face following the slap.

We filmed some really good shots and the film as a whole seems to flow well. However the sound sometimes jumps between shots and some of the conversation does not flow properly while switching between different shots. The acting became a problem when looking at the different clips we filmed. When putting them together we found that one of the characters faces jumped from being happy to angry with a straight face which looks quite odd and disturbs the flow of the preliminary.

We have learnt quite a lot through filming and editing the preliminary, which has helped us to see where we could potentially go wrong, and what we can include when filming the main task as well as editing too.

Research into thrillers

Panic Room

The opening scene of the movie “panic room” begins with a sequence of establishing long shots showing the buildings in the area, this sets the scene for the film and gives an idea of the kind of area that it is set in.

This scene also has a score which is used as a sound bridge to link all of the clips together. The score creates a feeling of fear which sets the theme for the rest of the movie.

This is followed by a long shot of a field in which we can see the use of jump shots to show the passage of time, this is an example of elliptical editing, this is unusual and helps to further hint at the theme of the movie.

Dialogue acts as a sound bridge linking this clip to the next, in which we see two women walking through a busy street; a panning shot is used to reveal the women.

Silence of the Lambs

In the opening sequence of silence of the lambs, the first shot is an establishing shot, which shows the location to be a foggy forest area; this has connotations of eeriness, and hints at the genre of the film.

The opening shot tilted down towards the floor, showing the main female protagonist running through an assault course, this shows her to be juxtaposed to the stereotype of women being weak. The scene contains a number of shots such as a close up of her feet whilst running, this adds variety to the clip and makes it more interesting.

One example of a shot during this scene is used to show the woman climbing the obstacle in the assault course, a 180 degree panning shot around the woman, this stops the viewer from becoming disorientated as it keeps it in perspective, it also shows a low angle of the woman on top of the obstacle, which suggests her physical power and breaks another stereotype.

Another example of effective camerawork is during the scene in which the panning shot is used to show the signs depicting words such as “pain” and “misery”, this creates suspense to see what the next word is going to be.

Inside the building, during the scene in the elevator, a medium shot is used to show the woman in the middle of a group of men, her size is shown to be small when compared to the tall men surrounding her, which connotes weakness, the men are also all in uniform whereas she’s wearing gym wear, which shows her as an individual.

Sound is also used to create an atmosphere of suspense, as throughout the clip tense incidental music is used, this hints at the genre of the film and also acts as a sound bridge linking different clips.

Welcome to our blog!

In order to prepare ourselves for our main task, we start with a preliminary task, which involved filming and editing a short sequence which involves a character walking, opening a door, and having a seated conversation with another, in which we demonstrate the 180 degree rule. The sequence was specified to involve dialogue, atleast 10 different camera shots; one of which should be a shot-reverse-shot, and match cuts. The preliminary task allows us to have practice using the camera equipment and getting different shots before going on to film our main task – Filming and editing the two-minute opening of a film.