Q7 Looking back at your premliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

What were the reasons for doing the preliminary task?
Q7 Looking back at your premliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

• Practise using the editing software
• Practise using the equipment (i.e the cameras)
• Working in a team/ communication skills
• Explore different kinds of shots

The demands for the preliminary task were different to the demands of the thriller opening task. The preliminary task simply asked us to film someone walking through a doorway and a short conversation whereas the thriller opening was much more complex. Firstly, the time in which we had to complete the thriller task was much longer than the preliminary task and we were able to spend more time on researching, planning, filming and editing. We were also encouraged to use a range of locations outside of the school premises this equated to more responsibility and independent working.

PRE-PRODUCTION.

In the preliminary task the need for extensive research and planning was not required as this exercise was a simple task in continuity and shooting a conversation between two characters.
Our group held an hour long planning meeting in which we discussed concepts and ideas.  We recorded these ideas and this set the pace for our overall plan for our short film.

This was not a complex process and we faced very little problems in the planning process. On the other hand, the thriller opening required lengthy research to create an in-depth plan and a broader understanding of how to shoot a film. We created a shooting schedule to outline the when we were going to be filming and who would be doing which roles on that day. We also created a storyboard which went into detail about specific shots we wanted to use and at which point in the opening they were going to appear. We also learnt about different techniques used to open a film and how other directors established different genres and themes in the opening of their films. These two planning techniques highlight the differences of the preliminary task and the thriller opening task and shows the increase of complexity.

PRODUCTION

Our preliminary task  helped us in our production because we had already familiarise ourselves with the equipment we were going to use in our final piece. We practiced using the digital cameras which helped us gained an understanding of the way they function which made it more efficient when it came down to shooting our thriller opening. We also explored different types of shots (close up, long shot, span etc.) and what effect they would bring to a scene. For example in our preliminary task we had an extreme close up on the action of two characters exchanging money for drugs and in the Thriller opening we had a close up of the menacing weapons that the kidnappers were going to use. Extreme close-ups intensive a moment in a film but also allows the audience to get a closer insight into the details of a scene.

Another advantage of the preliminary task also allowed us to enhance of teamwork skills. We had to distribute the work successfully and take advantage of the individual strengthens within the group.
I worked with a few of the same people in the thriller task as I did in the preliminary task which was helpful as we already knew how each other work.

The preliminary task gave us the opportunity to practice editing. We used Premiere Pro for editing both of our projects and our preliminary task allowed us to practice using the software. For example, we learnt how to add transitions (such as dip to white) and cut/trim our footage by making in/out point. We used these skills when editing our final piece but we developed our skills further by adding in titles/credits and also adding more sound effects and background music.

Our preliminary task also gave us an opportunity to learn from our mistakes throughout the process of making it so that we could avoid them in our final product and achieve a higher quality. For example, some on the original shots in the prelim task were shaky people we did not use a tripod to film it and this made the shot look unprofessional. In the Thriller task we ensured that we used a steady hand when we were doing handheld camera shots but we used the tripod for the majority of the shots. We also had some continuity errors in our preliminary task so we were more careful in our thriller film opening to avoid this issues. We also used the successful parts of our preliminary task and integrated them into our final piece. For example, we used similar shots in both pieces of work which included close-up shots of actions and main characters faces.

In conclusion, I believe that as an individual my skills and knowledge have developed massively during the process of both of these projects. I have gained experience with using production equipment and the editing software. I now understand the importance in thorough planning for a film and using the correct planning techniques. I have also learnt how to work efficiently in a group as well as becoming more confident with filming. Not only have I learnt how to do the practical skills required in filmmaking but I have learnt about the thriller genre and film noir.