Preliminary Task

Preliminary Task

Creating a short clip within our class, in groups of 3, of a simple exchange within the given environment ( in this case being the sixth form ). This must abide to specific film rules & use specific camera techniques, shots and movements, they include: The 180° rule, Match on Action, Eye-line match and shot-reverse-shot. This task gives us a physical insight and practice with these rules, techniques, shots & movements. Given the chance to work with the camera we had to capture the footage for our film resulting in no longer than 2 minutes once edited. Furthermore all of our footage will be edited together applying these rules in a seamless/continuity way also giving each student experience with the editing software 'Adobe premiere'. We must however consider Equality, Numeracy and Literacy during this process. Equality in this sequence is supposed to serve a purpose of non-stereotypical representations of each character in terms of Age, Gender, Class & status and Sexuality. Numeracy must be considered in terms of our prescribed time limit of 2 minutes. Literacy is simply for using titles/captions appropriately and checking the punctuation, spelling & grammar.

Evaluation:

Although relatively pleased with the outcome there are several factors I personally believe could of been done to a better standard. On a positive note I was pleased with out creative ability to use a single camera and achieve good continuity edits using our imagination. I was also able to get to grips with the software 'Adobe Premiere' however I personally prefer, and used for this project, Sony Vegas and After effects where I was able to cut and use the software to a better ability (using several different functions) and also used my skills in after effects for effects such as the title and graphics during the title and the cinematic 'letterbox' appearance.
The footage we had however was not to be best of standards partially due to the limited time and group members motivation to get their hands on and use the equipment. This held us back on having perfect continuity although the edit still worked in our favour. I would have wished to have more control over the shots however as this was a team effort and I worked to the ability of others better and less capable than my own so we all had our input and chance to learn new techniques and skills.

We did not have much chance to extend this idea of the equality set in the project with non-sterotypical representations within the task which would of been more achievable with a higher range of people. However working in a group of 3 lads we avoided showing any stereotypes seen in a typical 'Thriller' based film and did not show any representations in our actions or editing when creating the film concerning age, gender, class and status and sexuality.

Overall for our first attempt at continuity filming and editing the outcome is visually appealing and works in the intended way, including all of the set shots, techniques and movements being: the 180° rule which we did not break, a use of Match on Action, Eye-line shots and a shot-reverse-shot. We also went out of our way to explore different techniques, shots and movement such as a Dutch tilt, a Tilt pan, Reverse tracking, Pans, Point of View shots and close ups.

180° Rule: 

This rule states that the camera should be placed somewhere inside 180° on a specific side of the invisible line of shot containing the two people filmed in the sequence. If this rule is broken (line is crossed without a visual camera movement) it leaves the audience confused as it visually appears that the characters/objects are switching places when the film is being played.


Match on Action:

Match on action is an editing technique used to make the footage appear seamless. As a form of continuity editing, this is where one shot cuts to another shot and finalises the action started in the initial shot. This technique creates a "visual bridge' in the action which draws the audience's attention away from any continuity issues. All in all it portrays a continuous sense of the same action rather than matching two separate things. This is better achievable with the use of multi-camera however can be captured with a single camera if filmed correctly.

Eye-line Shot:

An Eye-Line shot is a film editing technique associated with continuity editing referring to the path of the looking eye matching the opposing character and holds similar properties to a shot-reverse-shot. It is used based on the audience so they can get an insight on what the character on screen is viewing. Usually the camera starts on the characters looking at something the audience can not see and then cutting to the object or character they are looking at.

Shot-reverse-shot:

A shot-reverse-shot is another form of continuity editing used very much so in conversations between characters or connections between characters and objects. A normal shot shows what the character is supposably looking at in a sort of POV shot and is closely followed by a reverse angle shot of the character themselves looking at the object or character looking back at them. This shot is supported by the 180° rule and must be heavily considered when using this shot to avoid confusion and distorting the audiences sense of location and also sustaining continuity in the editing.