1. The preliminary task
1.1. Shooting
1.1.1. Angles
1.1.1.1. We primarily used a the eye level angle in our preliminary task. This is because we did not have very much equipment but also because we didn't have knowledge of the other angles. We decided to use one low angle to add visual interest and variation but we did not realise it was out of place as low angles are used to imply power.
1.1.2. Movement
1.1.2.1. We did not use any camera movement though there were scenes with movement in them. instead we opted to shoot these from a far enough distance that the movement fitted from start to finish. This was satisfactory as there was no real detail in the movement shots. However this wouldn't have worked so well in our final product
1.1.3. Shots
1.1.3.1. We used two shots in our preliminary task. Long shots and medium shots. This provided enough detail for our limited story line but we were unaware of the impact variation in shots could have on the audience.
1.2. Editing
1.2.1. Sound
1.2.1.1. In our preliminary task we didn't use any music. We had done no investigation into the huge effects that music can have on the audience. Also we didn't know how to use music within iMovie or how to source music to use.
1.2.2. Continuity
1.2.2.1. In our preliminary task we only shot everything once or twice. If we did take a second shot we didn't pay much attention to the positioning of the characters or the scenery. This made editing very hard as we had to try and find a way to cut the film together so it matched nicely and flowed smoothly. However this was not always possible
1.2.3. Clip selection
1.2.3.1. In our preliminary task we did not have many clips to choose from. When we did had a choice we had to choose for which clip fit well into the scene. This meant that we may not have got the best film quality in the clips we chose
1.3. Equipment and softwear
1.3.1. Camera
1.3.1.1. In our preliminary task we used a basic video camera on a tri-pod. The video quality was okay although we didn't adjust the exposure on the camera to be optimum for the environment we were shooting in. This lead to there being inconsistent colouring between the different locations we shot in and the different angles we shot from. We also didn't use any techniques such as zoom and the sound was quite poor quality due to the quality of the camera
1.3.2. iMovie
1.3.2.1. Only very basic editing techniques were used in our preliminary task. All we could do was cut and place clips of our movie and we hadn't worked out how to slow down the clip so that we couldn't cut it more precisely. This meant our film seemed quite abrupt in places. We also didn't know how to manipulate colour so the colour inconsistencies from filming could not be fixed. We also couldn't change the sound behind the film. This meant that in the out door scene you can still hear the sound of the wind as it cracks due to the bad quality of the cameras microphone.
2. The Movie opening
2.1. Planing
2.1.1. Script
2.1.1.1. For our final piece we drafted a general script, Then we drafted in speech and reviewed it with our actors before creating the final script. This meant whilst we were filming everyone knew exactly what they had to do. This saved lot of time on the day. We also learnt how to use scripting software Raw scripts to format our script in the proper to make it easy to understand
2.1.2. Storyboard
2.1.2.1. We created a detailed story board for our final project. This helped us on the day of filming to set up the camera in the right places and instruct the actors more clearly on where they needed to be. It also helped us ensure that we shot every part we needed as this was more complicated than our preliminary task. It was also useful in editing so we knew exactly which parts of the film belonged where without having to watch all of the raw footage and sequence it.
2.1.3. research
2.1.3.1. We discovered in the creation of our film opening just how useful research is. It gave us ideas on how to use different aspects to our advantage by seeing what was effective and ineffective in films of a similar genre. The research also taught us many different techniques to utilise. This meant we could tell a story through conventions that we didn't have time to tell in our script
2.2. Shooting
2.2.1. Angles
2.2.1.1. By the time we shot our final product we had a far better knowledge of angles and what they can e used to infer. In our film opening we used high and low angles to suggest power and canted angles to show a disturbed state of mind. This way we could immerse the viewers into piece without relying too much on the quality of the script or the acting
2.2.2. Movement
2.2.2.1. When setting up for filming we figured out how move the top of the tripod to create pans and tips. This meant we could use the following of movement in our film to create a sense of progression. As well as getting more comprehensive establishing shot. We also experimented with hand held shots and found them very useful in adding a distorted feel to our footage. Although when trying to create a combination between a hand held shot and a dolly shot by running we discovered that this was ineffective as the camera moved so much it was unsuitable footage. Despite the fact we wanted to show distress
2.2.3. Shots
2.2.3.1. Between our preliminary and our final product we learnt of the appropriate uses for different shots. This meant we established our scenes properly. We were also able to signify when an aspect of the film or a characters part was particularly important by using close ups. This added to our ability to draw the audience in to an aspect of the film and create tension and focus
2.3. Editing
2.3.1. Sound
2.3.1.1. When creating our film clip we started looking into the effect that music could have on a film piece. We noted how much it added to the emotion of a film as well as tying parts of the film together so we utilised this. We learnt how to find royalty free music that fitted the mood of our piece as well as free sound effect to fill out the sound where the sound from our film was a little inconsistent.we found that this created a much cleaner final product
2.3.2. Continuity
2.3.2.1. Creating continuity when editing was helped y the fact that we had a lot of shots to choose from. If the original clip we chose didn't fit very well we could switch it with another where the action matched better. Further more we knew to ensure there were no inconsistencies in the Mis en scene. We also aimed to get similar colouring in all our shots for a particular scene. If we could not achieve this we fixed it in editing
2.3.3. Clip selection
2.3.3.1. Choosing the right clip was much easier given that we actually had different takes to choose from. In editing we chose clips for the quality of the film, their efficiency at portraying what we wanted, dramatic effect and their continuity with the rest of the piece
2.4. Equipment and softwear
2.4.1. Camera
2.4.1.1. We used a high quality DSLR to shoot our film. This meant that the shots came out much clearer as well as the sound and we could effect different aspects of our film to improve the visual quality. We learnt how to change white balance, contrast and exposure as well as how to use zoom and manual focus functions for when we wanted an unusual shot.
2.4.2. iMovie
2.4.2.1. We used many more advanced techniques when editing our final piece. We learnt how to manipulate the colouring of the film to help the continuity if there were minor inconsistencies. We also changed colouring to add dramatic effect. Our knowledge of visual effects was also much greater. We added effects to our frames as well as transition effect. We learnt how to utilise the title function fully and even import our own title screen animation. Finally we learnt how to manipulate sound, adjusting the volume and cancelling sound all together as well as adding tracks over the top of our film and adjusting them appropriately really added to the over all effect of our film.