Our Perliminary Task: Where's my cheese?

Preliminary Task

Me and the others in my group were given a preliminary task in our last media studies lesson. This task was given to us to test our skills that we have learnt throughout recent lessons in school. Our brief was to shoot a short clip that lasted at least one minute where we had to incorperate "Match on action" and "Shot reverse shot", we were also asked to be aware of "The 180 degree rule".
Before we even attempted to start shooting we had to create a storyboard which was used as a plan for the clip. The four of us in my group put forward ideas for the storyboard and used various thoughts from each other to finalise our plan. We started by drawing the pictures to give us an idication of where we would stand etc. We then numbered each picture as what number each shot would be as well as how long each shot would last. Overall there was seven shots and from here we had an indication of a rough time limit to shoot each shot.
After our planning was finished, we moved onto the production of the clip where we had 50 minutes to shoot all the footage needed. Although we had a plan for the clip and everybody had an understanding of what was happening, we still came across difficulties. For example,  a major struggle that we had come across was that we had to be very precise with every shot we took to make the scene flow and seem more realistic. This was extremely important for the match on action. Also, it was very difficult to keep in character when filming.
After the filming of the various shots we had to return to our class where we chose the best shots taken and edited them together in the order of the storyboard. The editing had to be very specific so that various shots such as the "Match on action" shots, would flow nicely and look professional.

Preliminary Task Evaluation

Last Wednesday, our group received our preliminary task. Our brief was to make a short 1-minute film which included "match on action" and "shot reverse shot" shot types. We began to storyboard our short film very quickly, it consisted of 8 shots and a very brief dialogue exchange. Billy controlled the camera while myself, Joe and Daniel played the characters. I had to play the character included in the "match on action" shot. We had no trouble creating the match on action shot and were able to make it extremely smooth in the editing process. The next shot consisted of a panning shot across the room as Joe escorted me towards Daniel. This short did not turn out as well as we had hoped as the cut to the shot was jerky, though it was not our fault as the room was very hard to shoot in with many obstacles in the way. The "shot-revers-shot" was implemented through my conversation with Daniel. Daniel played his character very well, keeping a straight face through very comical lines, while also portraying anger very well. In the editing process we added a 'thunderclap' to compliment the anger of Daniels character. Overall, I feel the production process went very well considering it was our first attempt while post production was integral in giving our film fluidity and some overall polish that was needed. We were able to add a title and credit sequence to open and close the film respectively. All sound effects used were non copyright material.

-Regan McSweeney

Preliminary Video

To test our skills in the world of media my group was given a preliminary task; to create a video of conversation of any type that lasted more than a time span of one minute. This had to consist of specific camera techniques set by our teacher; these included the use of match on action, shot reverse shot and the 180 degree rule.
Before we even began filming we created a story board which consisted of 7 different shot within that one video. During the creation of the storyboard I was given the task of keeping it after the lesson and working on the 'sound/dialogue' we would use at home.
During filming we had 50 minutes on Monday to film our shot. Whilst doing this we were met with a lot of challenges involving acting as we had to make sure everything was perfect from Joes standing exactly where the door is to being able to control our laughter when some messed up or said something funny. After 50 minutes we were finally done and went to the room for editing. Editing was no easy task as we all battled for our ideas to be the one used, as we watched on we could notice camera shots that could have been taken better but we compromised and came to a decision that fit both us and the video best with the use of cuts and flows that made it seem as though it flowed well but I'm sure we can do better next time.

Preliminary Task

Last Wednesday our group planned and story boarded the short 1 minute film for our preliminary task. Our brief was to make a film which consisted of "Match on action" and a "shot reverse shot". We story boarded all 8 shots with Regan, Joe and Daniel playing the characters whilst I worked the camera.
The storyboard featured Regan walk towards a door, with match on action of his hand grabbing the handle, then on the other side of the door walking through. The camera was then moved back further so as we could pan around to Daniel sitting down and Joe escorting Regan as we had storyboarded. We then implemented our shot-reverse-shot with Regan and Daniel who have a short conversation. Within the dialogue Daniels character becomes enraged which, in post-production, we added a copyright-free sound effect of a thunderclap to emphasise this rage.
What would have been better in production was some more composure in the actors, because, with the humorous situation we had thought of, it was hard to keep a straight face. Moreover, with extra time I would have taken the panning shot across the class room again, as the movement of the tripod was jumpy causing the shot to not seem as fluid, but overall I think it was a good shoot.
Post-production was what worried me with the laughing that occurred during shooting, but became more successful when we were able to edit it out. Furthermore the match on action impressed me with the fluidity in editing.
Overall I believe the film was successful in execution of our storyboard and with the editing in post-production.