Who did you work with and how did you manage the task between you?
I worked with Mila and Shobnam, and we decided to split various tasks between us. For the initial idea stages, we all worked together, but for the planning stages we split the story board, shot list and shoot schedule, and the script between us. For editing, we took equal turns but sat and helped the person editing if they needed it, and we made our decisions together. Although we delegated tasks between us, we also discussed each part that we were planning, to make sure we all agreed on what each of us were doing.
How did you plan your sequence? What processes did you use? What theories did you try to take into account?
Because we knew the requirements for the exercise, we started off with a brainstorm to decide who the characters would be, and what they would be discussing. Once we had decided on an idea for a spy talking to the director of the company, we split the tasks of the script, story board, and shot list & shoot schedule between us, so Mila did the script, I did the the shot list, shoot schedule and props (with the input of Mila and Shobnam) and Shobnam worked on the storyboard. We wanted to have a clear sense of genre, so we also planned costume. Because the task was to test our continuity skills, we planned our shots extremely carefully to make sure they used the continuity techniques stated in the brief: match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180 degree rule.
What technology did you use to complete the task, and how did you use it?
We filmed the sequence on Canon DV30, also using a tripod, and then edited our footage using Adobe Premiere Pro. We were all familiar with Premiere Pro, so editing was quick, because editing our footage didn't require any complicated effects or transitions.
What factors did you have to take into account when planning, shooting and editing?
When planning our sequence, we had to think about using all of the continuity techniques stated in the brief, but also constructing a convincing narrative and having good characterisation. So we planned our script very carefully and decided to shoot the conversation twice, so we would have plenty of footage to edit. We also discussed shot types very carefully, because we wanted to vary our shot types, but still have our sequence flow naturally. We also planned where we were going to shoot first, and decided not to film the majority of our sequence outside, but film in the media office instead.
When shooting our sequence, we decided to shoot the shots that take place outside first, so the lighting would be consistent throughout the sequence, and then we didn't have to worry about the weather changing (meaning if it started raining whilst we were shooting or anything that would make shooting more difficult), and the lighting would be consistent. Also, because we were in a school, we were conscious of students walking past and talking, but we managed to avoid that by shooting mainly indoors. We also made sure that the shots were the same each time, for example when Mila opens the door at the beginning of the sequence, we made sure that she stood in the same place when I shot it both times, and also that she opens the door with the same hand.
For editing, we all worked together to make sure that shot order looked natural, and the scene flowed easily. We also thought that we would have straight cuts rather than any shot transitions, because shot transitions would slow the scene down, and with the dialogue that we have, shot transitions wouldn't fit easily into our sequence. We also worked extremely hard on making sure that the shots made sense, so when Mila is walking outside towards the door, that when the shot changed it looked like she was in the same place in the previous shot, so the sequence looked natural.
How successful was your sequence? Please identify what worked well, and with hindsight, what you would improve/do differently?
Overall I think our sequence was successful, we managed to stick to all of the continuity techniques that were mentioned in the brief. For example, when Mila is walking towards the door and the shots change, we used match on action, which worked. Also during the conversation between Mila and Shobnam, we used shot/reverse shot throughout, and we didn't break the 180 degree rule because the conversation was shot from Mila's left side and Shobnam's right side.
If I were to change anything, I would probably make sure that the lighting was consistent. Because we shot on two different days, the natural lighting from outside had changed, which affected how the inside of the room looked. I would also make the shots transition a bit more naturally, which I didn't notice until I started editing the footage. Our first shots go from a close up of Mila's shoes to a long shot of Mila walking. If I were to re-shoot, I would go from a close up to a mid close up, rather than have such a large gap between the different shots. Also, we didn't have a master shot, which means that we used the same two shots for the conversation for too long. This means that the audience didn't see the entire room and get a sense of where the characters were. I would have also changed the last shot at the end of our sequence, which is a high angle close up. Doing this made our sequence look quite strange, and didn't fit with the genre that we had decided on. If I were to re-shoot, I think I would make the shot just a close up, so we can see her face fully, rather than having both a close up and a high angle. Despite this, I still think our sequence went very well and according to plan.
What have you learnt from completing this task? Looking ahead, how will this learning be significant when completing the rest of your foundation coursework, do you think?
I have learnt how to use different continuity techniques, and how to make a scene flow naturally. I also learnt how to edit match on action, and also how to shoot a conversation and then edit between two pieces of footage. I also learnt how to set up shots, and what order to shoot in. I think this preliminary task was important, because for the film opening that we will make later, continuity will be extremely important, and the preliminary task is a practice for that. I think learning how to apply these for this sequence as a practice was extremely useful, so that for our other foundation coursework, it will have less mistakes and be slicker than our first sequence.
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