Preliminary Task Evaluation

Our film demonstates continuity editing well for a number of reasons. There is logical coherence between all of our shots and the transactions between all of our frames are smooth. We also used continuity editing techniques such as the 180 degree rule, match on action and shot reverse shot. These techniques help the audience follow the plot.
We made sure there was continuity throughout our film, and did this is numerous ways. All of our scenes were in conological order, and with smooth editing transactions, making them flow easily. Our editing fitted the genre of Western, with the themed music, and clips in black and white. Our shots also reflected our genre and ensured continuity. The shots we used were shot reverse shots and match on action

We have demonstrted match on action when the Hero kicks down the door to save the woman. You see him stand outside the door, kick it, and then walk through it. Using this shot allows the viewer to understnad what has just happened in the scene. It also adds continuity to our film, and we were also able to edit the shots together, making them flow.

During coversations, we have used shot reverse shots. This allows the viewer to view the character delivering the lines, and also see the other characters reactions. It also adds continuity to our film, and allows the viewer to fully establish what is happening in the scene. 

Futhermore, we used the 180 degree rule, which is another editing technique, throughout our film. We used this because without it, the audience would not be filming the film from one particular place, making the film appear confusing. 



I feel our group worked well together due to communication, participation and a positive attitude. Without these, we would have not have thought up the idea of our film as quickly or as in as much detail and the filming and editing process would not have been as much fun, but alot more stressful. Without communication, we would not have been able to listen to each others ideas, been able to dedicate jobs, or resolve the problmes we faed as quickly. Also, participation was key to our team work. With participation, we were able to think of a good story line quickly, and did not have to worry about everyone doing their dedicated jobs. Futhermore, with a positive attidtued, we were nire motivated, which kept us working hard and wanting to do well. In the long run, it also made our film better because we were enjoying what we were doing and as a result putting more effort into it.                                   
When planning, I feel we planned the plot of the film well, and we created a story bored and script in order to help stay organised. We did this quickly, efficiently and to a high standard. We also worked as a team to produce it. We also decided on produced a list of props and costumes we wanted and came up with ideas for the cast. However by doing this we thought we were organised, but left it to the day of filming to find the costumes and props, which resulted in us having less time to film. We also did not check before the film that the people who had agreed to be in our film were still available. This resulted in a problem because our actors had a lesson when we were filming that they had forgotten about. This resulted in our group having to be in the film as our peers would not have been able to get their consent forms signed, and we had to film in that lesson.
From this, if we were going to film the piece again, we would make sure we were fully organised and have everything before the day of filming. This would mean that we would not have to rush our film, and could film the shots more times, possibly resulting in a film which was of better quality. Also, we would ask the actor of the film to learn the script, as in the seen when The Villain is holding The Woman hostage, it is clear that he is reading his lines, and as a result makes out film look less professional. It would also mean that we would not have to edit our script after filming.
We used transitions in our piece at the end of every frame. This made our film flow better and look a lot smoother. The transitions also made our match on action shot look clean and professional.
I have learnt a lot about the editing software. Before this task I was not able to use the Apple Mac and now feel fairly confident in editing on it. I have learnt how to rearrange the order of frames, add music and effects. I have also learnt how to cut scenes, and and change transitions as well as to add text between each scene. I have also learnt much about the equipment we used to film this task. I learnt how to set it all up and put it away, as well as about some of the different settings on the camera and which were most suitable for us when we were filming.

Preliminary Task Video

This short film is a typical mock western, with a damsel in distress, being snatched away into the hands of an evil villain, but then being saved by the brave hero.
In terms of plot, it is hard to say what each of us contributed, as we bounced off of each others suggestions. I was unable to have a direct input on the actual filming of the film, as I stepped in for one member of the original cast. Instead, I suggested where we filmed it, how we staged it and had an input on what shots went where. During the editing process, I was responsible for the black and white effect during the scenes where the Villain is running with the damsel, and the music that played in those scenes.  

Preliminary Filming

Filming was not what I expected. There were parts I did not expect to find challenging, challenging and other parts were easier than anticipated.
Using the equiptment was alot easier and less time consuming than we thought. We were given a demonstraton on how to set up, put away and use the equiptment which made the process easier. When we came to using the equiptment ourselves, we found it was as easy as Miss demonstrated, and we managed to set up quickly which came to our advantage as it allowed us more time to  film. The camera was also easy to use, making filming less stressful and also allowed us more time to film as we did not have to worry about constanly finding the right settings. It also allowed us to view our shots easily, so we could make sure we had several that were of a good quality thatr we could use in the editing process.
Even though the equiptment was not very time consuming, we foud time was an issue. This was partly due to a slight lack of planning and co-operation. As part of our film was outside, we also found difficulty finding a suitable place to film, where when we used panning shots we wouldn't get shots of the school or fences. Also, we were filming when lessons were happening so when we were filming inside, had to be aware of our volume at all times and make sure we filmed efficiently so minimum disterbance was acheived. Futhermore, for our group, casting was a problem as we had to find people with a free period during our media filming lessons. Also, some people droped out last minute as they did not realise they had a lesson that period, and members of our group had to be cast instead.
I would not say our group was full prepared for filming. This is becuase on the day of filming, we had two people drop out of our film and we needed to find where exactly we wanted to film and the costumes and props needed. To overcome this, we could have checked with the people we were going to cast if they were still ok to be in the film a couple of days before filming, and that way we could have found replacements for the original cast. During the planning process, we could have also have picked where we were going to film and have found the costumes and props. This wouldhave saved us time that we could have used for filming. However, we have now learnt from our mistakes and now know where we can improve when we come to film our main task.
During filming, we slightly adjusted the script as there was not enough time to learn the script, however we than adjusted the original script after the filming process to fit the film.
We re-filmed all of our shots at least four times. We did this to esure that one of the shots was of a hight quality, with good lighting, no wind interfeance and that you could hear the dialogue. We then also had a variety of shots that we could use for editing.
Personally, i felt our group worked very well together. The mistakes made were not an individuals fault, so we all worked together to resolve them as quickly as possible to the best of our abilities. During the planning process, everyone contributed, and had a positive outlook on the task. When we came to filming, we all co-operated well, and during the editing process worked hard as a team.
Strangely, I enjoyed the freedom you can have with filming. We had many different options on how to shoot the film, and where to do it. I also like that you could re-film as many times as necessary, putting the actors under less pressure and as a result, more likely to perform better.

Preliminary Task Script

EXT.  FIELD – MORNING

WANDA is whistling/ dancing/ doing womanly things in the field as she is happy with her life. A mysterious man (Manuel) complete with moustache is lurking in the bushes…

WANDA

‘oh I love being a happy woman!’

Manuel jumps from the bushes letting out an evil cackle

MANUEL

‘Your coming with me woman’

WANDA (surprised)

‘But I don’t wanna go’

MANUEL

‘You don’t have a choice’

Manuel picks up Wanda and puts her on his shoulder and runs away with her, a close up on Wanda’s terrified face. He runs into a building.

INT. Corridor- morning

Manuel walks up to the door of a room. Match on action as he walks in the door and puts Wanda in a chair.

MANUEL

I’ve been observing you and your womanly happy ways, I long to be happy…I will be happy… with YOU!! (evil laugh)

WANDA

‘You evil man! You will never get away with this.’

MANUEL

‘you are also a silly one’

Cut to corridor. Hero (Harold) is walking up to the door. Match on action of him kicking open the door to astonished faces from WANDA and MANUEL.

HAROLD

‘That ain’t no way to treat a lady!’

MANUEL lifts his gun only to be swiftly lassoed by HAROLD. Close up of WANDA’S delighted face, cuts back to MANUEL being tied up with the lasso.

EXT. OUTSIDE BUILDING – AFTERNOON:

WANDA and HAROLD walking away from the camera hand in hand.

WANDA

‘oh you saved my life, how could I ever repay you!?’

Close up of HAROLD’S profile of face, he turns to the camera and makes a suggestive facial expression..

Fade to black

‘FIN’ appears in bold white letters..

WANDA: Becky Rose

MANUEL: Jordan Kenneally

                                                                             HAROLD: Stuart Thurgood-Phillips








We produced a script, so we knew what we wanted our actors to say when. It also allowed us to develop the plot line more and allowed us to be more organised.

Preliminary Task Storyboard

We created a storyboard so that we could fully plan what we wanted to film. The storyboard shows not only the plot of the film, but what shots we wanted where, this helped us to film efficiently. We drew the shots on post it notes so that that we could move them around if needed.

Description of our ideas for our preliminary task

For our preliminary task, we have been told to make an extract of a film where we have to include the 180 degree rule, shot reverse shot and match on action. We also had to include, someone walking through a door, sitting down at a table and exchanging dialogue with another person.
In our group, we have decided on a  Mock Western genre, where an evil Villain is going to kidnap an Innocent Girl and then the hero can come in and save the day. We have decided to do this because as a group we feel it will be enjoyable, and from what we have seen from past videos, there have not been many done before. 
We shall demonstrate the shot reverse shot when the Villain and Innocent Girl exchange dialogue, in order to focus on the characters. Our match on action shot will be walking through a door, and we will need to take great care when editing this, to make sure that it appears to be smooth. The 180 degree rule will apply at all times, so we do not confuse our audience as they will be aware where they are viewing the scene from and the character placement.

Candidate Information

Rebecca Rose

Candidate Number:

6407