Q7

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

I feel like I have developed massively from knowing nothing when we before filmed the preliminary task to being quite proficient at all skills involved in producing the final product. All I knew when I started this course and up until the preliminary task was how to start recording the camera and the basics of movie maker, but when starting the final product, I had learnt how to use all aspects of IMovie 10.0.6, the importance of composition and framing, all shot types and why and how they are used, and the use of Mise-en-scene. I still have areas that I can improve but on the whole I have developed a lot and will continue to develop.

The strengths of my preliminary task were that it was entertaining, met the brief I was given, and I used a variety of shots, editing and sound. I made it a quite over the top satire of traditional spy movies, with antagonist with a terrible German accent, which everyone found quite funny and even though the acting wasn’t amazing, they found it entertaining. I was asked to use shot-reverse-shot, the 180 degree rule and a good level of continuity, which I followed and it worked a lot better than if I had just filmed something. I used a variety of shots, such as close-ups, editing techniques like the flashes to white, and non-diegetic sound effects such as the gun shots. These were effective at making the piece look more professional and entertaining for the audience. The weaknesses of my preliminary task were that the camerawork wasn’t perfect, it could’ve been edited better and there could’ve been more shots. The camera work and editing wasn’t the best as I did not know how to use iMovie or the cameras very well and with the time constraints I had to film and edit it without much practice. The preliminary task would’ve looked better if it was faster paced which meant I should’ve filmed more shots.

One skill that I have definitely developed the most is my camerawork/filming skills. I didn’t know much before the preliminary so when it came to it all I knew was how to point and film. Working up to the final product I learnt many skills including framing, composition, match on action and shot reverse shot, which are all important filming techniques which add to the continuity and make it aesthetically pleasing. These skills were very useful for filming my final product so that it was more professional looking and more entertaining for the audience.

When planning the preliminary I didn’t plan a lot, I had a script, a shot list and a storyboard but not much of the Mise en scene and sound was planned, and I also didn’t go into too much detail with my planning which is why I think it was lacking in terms of overall quality. However when it came to filming the final product, I planned every detail out in detail, from the Mise en scene to the risk assessment, I made sure I had everything so I knew exactly what I was filming when. I think because of this the final product was much better, with a lot more quality and professionalism to it.

I believe my opening is very successful overall, it meets the brief given and I am pleased especially with certain elements of it. One element I am especially pleased with is the editing, a lot of hours went into editing so that it was a faced paced thriller and I think this made it look more professional and entertaining. I am also especially pleased with the camerawork, as we had a variety of different shots but also followed the conventions of having many close-ups and extreme close ups, which is why it was faster paced but also interesting to watch.  Some areas that I would have liked to improve are a few shots and the music, as some shots could’ve been re shot to look better and the music isn’t as synchronous with the visual aspect as I would like.